ALAN KEYES, MR. RADIOACTIVE

Realclearpolitics.com ^ | 10-11-04

[SJackson]

Monday, October 11 2004
ALAN KEYES, MR. RADIOACTIVE: Just how bad is Alan Keyes doing in the Illinois Senate race? Let's just say it's hard to imagine him doing any worse. In the three latest polls taken during the past week, Keyes is drawing between 20-24% of the vote while Obama is pushing close to 70%.

To be fair, this was never really about Alan Keyes beating Barack Obama. The minute Jack Ryan dropped out of the race the GOP strategy shifted from winning to trying to field a credible challenger who could do two things: 1) keep Obama occupied and 2) run strong throughout the state to protect down-ballot Republicans from getting swamped. Keyes is failing miserably at both.

Today's Washington Post reports that Obama is so unconcerned with the threat being posed by Alan Keyes that he's now touring the country raising money and campaigning on behalf of John Kerry and other Democrats:

In the past week, Obama has mailed checks totaling $260,000 to Senate candidates in 13 states, including $53,000 to the do-or-die campaign of Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.). He donated $100,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and $150,000 to party organizations in key states, including Florida, Wisconsin and Colorado.

Carrying his verbal assault on President Bush beyond state lines, Obama will fly to Los Angeles this week for a Democratic fundraiser and address rallies in Colorado and Nevada for John F. Kerry. In a close presidential race where turnout could prove decisive, Obama said in an interview that he is talking with Kerry advisers about where he can be most effective in the campaign's final days.

"Turnout is huge," Obama said after a Saturday morning rally in the hard-fought presidential battleground of Wisconsin. "If there are selective things that we can do that can be helpful, then we want to do them. The Kerry people are still making determinations as to what states remain in play. Safe to say we will probably have a couple more travel days this month."

Back in Illinois, Keyes is operating in complete isolation. He's alienated almost all of the Republican party operatives throughout the state, starting with his wild-eyed rhetoric about Barack Obama's pro-abortion stance (the "slaveholders'" position, similar to a terrorist, etc) and his attack on Dick Cheney's gay daughter (Keyes called Mary Cheney a "selfish hedonist").

Many members of the Illinois delegation, including the Chairperson of the Party, Judy Baar Topinka, condemned Keyes remarks as "idiotic" and called on him to apologize. (To make matters worse, rumors have been swirling about the sexual preference of Keyes' own daughter for a couple of weeks now. Keyes has refused to comment)

This is how bad it has become: the other night at a GOP fund raising dinner Keyes caused a stir by showing up unannounced - but more importantly, I was told, uninvited. At the dinner a sitting member Congress, speaking semi-privately to the guests at one of the tables, jokingly referred to Keyes as a "lunatic." Everyone at the table laughed and shook their heads in agreement.

The damage Keyes is doing to the GOP in Illinois, however, is no laughing matter. He will be lucky to win 25% of the vote in November and he's become not only a drag on the ballot for Republicans but a weapon for Democrats.

I'll give you a quick example. Beth Coulson is the State Senator from my district. She's a moderate Republican in a moderate to left-leaning district and always a top target of the Democrats. Here's a copy of the latest flier from the Illinois Democratic Party:

Keyes may very well cost Beth Coulson her seat, and perhaps a few others as well. And on November 3rd Alan Keyes will be sitting comfortably on a plane back to Maryland and the Illinois GOP will be in a bigger hole than they were in before Keyes arrived to help dig.

MOTHER TERESA: Can't resist this blurb on Teresa Heinz Kerry from Friday's Tucson Citizen:

In the middle of her [Heinz Kerry's] speech, Bush supporters chimed in with a chant of "four more years." Kerry supporters countered with "four more weeks."

Heinz Kerry told the Bush supporters, "I respect your positions, but you must have manners."

Adele Conover, 54, a science writer and Kerry supporter who had backed Howard Dean, described Heinz Kerry's talk as "sensational."

"She treated them like they were children," she said of how Heinz Kerry talked to the Bush supporters.

Those Bush supporters are just so uncouth, aren't they Teresa?

[k2blader]

Some of this stuff is pretty "classic". :-)

[lara]

Yes, probably not just here, but all over America. If Bush loses, which he won't, it will be Keyes fault.

[EternalVigilance]

LOL...I suppose it is...

[k2blader]

You all who can actually vote in IL are the important ones here. I'm rooting for you and Dr. Keyes!!!

P.S. Quite excited about the debate tomorrow! :-)

[TomasUSMC]

Osamabama is a scum sucking rat. Keyes will mash him in the debates just like Bush did to Kerry a few days ago. Keyes will do it the same way the president did, by hitting homeruns on the abortion question while that liberal piece of $hit Obamasama tries to sqirm out of those questions.

Go Keyes Go.

In this race you can support Keyes, who is for saving 3000 babies a day or you can support Obamasama, who is for killing 3000 babies a day.

[lara]

I know Alan's going to do great. Unfortunately, it will probably just be the Keyes supporters listening. (And maybe a few rino's) I wish they had started with the televised debates. This will just give Obama a heads up on how to prepare and reply to Keyes in the future debates.

[lara]

You guys are great. Some of the people here seem to have a greater animosity towards Keyes than they do Obama. I just don't get what that's all about. They seem to enjoy thinking that Keyes is going to lose by a wide margin. I wish the conservatives of Illinois would come together and prove them wrong. (All 17% of us) : )

[tame]

you have mail.

[hocndoc]

This author is not a Republican and the bias is obvious. If nothing else, for the blurb on THK at the end.

I seem to remember predictions that Ambassador Keyes was only expected to get 15% of the vote, now it's closer to 25%.

How is this an impediment to the Republicans of Illinois?

The best tool that Keyes has is to point out the differences between himself and the Dem. Abortion, homosexual marriages and morality in general **is** the difference and there is no reason for Keyes to change.

If the Illinois Republicans did not know how consistent Ambassador Keyes is on moral issues, they did not do their homework, and the Illinois GOP has much bigger problems.

[ScottM1968]

A better question is "How in the hell can you call yourself a conservative, Dave S?"

Your chosen "player" was someone chased out by the very RINOs of whom you are a part.

Complaining about Keyes "losing" our US Senate seat fall on deaf ears.

If you had a single bone of core principle, you'd be helping keep the state in play by encouraging people to vote for decent values by voting for Keyes.

Get out of here.

[Dave S]

Are you actually attempting to claim the folks who vote for Keyes will be to blame for the loss of Senate seats?

No, I primarily blame those who selected him. After that I blame the ones who should have been smart enough to notice that the Keyester was a loon but who continued to support him with their time and money displaying total disregard for the people of Illinois.

[Dave S]

If Bush loses, which he won't, it will be Keyes fault.

Not true, Bush never had a chance in Illinois. Dont you folks know you live in the Democratic Socialist State of Illinois? Your ownly chance at a decent live is to seceed from Cook County.

[hocndoc]

Actually, he did not attack anyone in particular.

He made the statement about homosexual activity in general.

The reporter came back with the question about the Cheney daughter. Then made the rest up to suit the reporter's needs.

[Dave S]

I seem to remember predictions that Ambassador Keyes was only expected to get 15% of the vote, now it's closer to 25%.

Ryan still polled over 40% in the polls almost a month after he had pulled out (no pun intended). I dont think the Keyester has reached 25% yet. Last I saw he was 17% in one poll and 20% in another. Go Keyes, lose half of your vote within a few weeks of campaigning. Better if he had just put his name on the ballot and stayed in MD.

[Dave S]

A better question is "How in the hell can you call yourself a conservative, Dave S?"

Because I believe in tax cuts, cutting government intrusion into our lives, individual freedom and responsibility, a strong national defense, strong defense of the homeland. What I dont believe in is demogogues who attempt to win an election by preaching to the converted. Everone knew where KEyes stood on abortion and gays. The guy never needed to say another word. Instead he not only allowed, he loved that the media enabled him to continue to do what he knows best, rattle your cages and get you 17% going. He doesn't have a clue how to bring you one inch closer to eliminating abortion.

BTW, it's not my fault that this is the third or fourth political campaign in a row he lost big time. Keyes can only thank himself for that. But then he doesnt care. He doesnt want the responsibility, he just wants to preach.

[hocndoc]

As I said, if the GOP in Illinois did not know who Dr. Keyes is, then they are the problem, not Dr. Keyes.

I wish him well, because I do see abortion and morality as being at stake in this election - all across America.

[k2blader]

I primarily blame those who selected him. After that I blame the ones who should have been smart enough to notice that the Keyester was a loon but who continued to support him

Okay, so you *are* claiming the folks who vote for Keyes will be to blame for the loss of Senate seats.

Talk about loons.

[EternalVigilance]

Hey Dave!

Did ya hear Keyes took Obama apart tonight?

It was glorious.

Barack looked like a whipped puppy.

You can listen to the whole thing here:

www.keyes2004.com

[Dave S]

So besides being a loon you cant read either?

[Dave S]

Did ya hear Keyes took Obama apart tonight?

No, did anyone. Bet most of Illinois was watching ALCS on Fox.

How much of his time did he spend on abortion, gays, and other cultural issues as opposed to national defense and economic issues?