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I don't understand what the dynamic is, but there is SOMETHING that is motivating a small LOUD group to visiously demonize Keyes, and repeat all of the talking dem talking points from within the Republican party, as well as here on FR.

I try to be intelligently vociferous, not vicious. And I think vocal opposition to Keyes and his sorry excuse for a campaign is a legitimate position for people who would like to see sane and stable Republican candidates get elected, instead of being swept out to sea in the tidal wave of Keyes' obnoxious rants. Keyes' behavior has been so appalling that he's freed up Obama's time to run around the country drumming up money and votes for Kerry/Edwards, while Keyes stays "home" and does further damage to other Republican candidates who are actually electable. Why shouldn't I be opposed to Keyes?

I've heard at least one good explanation of why someone was opposed to him. I can understand that. But I'm aware that there is agressive demonization that goes beyond a reasonable dislike of a candidate. To the point that I'm convinced there is a hidden grudge that is hidden behind the illogical claims that "he is doing too much harm to the republicans so lets elect Obama to the Senate to keep him from doing more harm."

It's one think to argue he isn't the best candidate. It's another thing to absolutly trash the man and anyone who supports him when he IS in fact the nominee. I'm not from Illinois, and I don't know all that much about what's going on right now. But I've been watching people is the entertainment industry trash republicans long enough to know "hidden agenda demonizaion" when I see it.

I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner. I wasn't trying to ignore you...

You said, "I try to be intelligently vociferous, not vicious. And I think vocal opposition to Keyes and his sorry excuse for a campaign is a legitimate position for people who would like to see sane and stable Republican candidates get elected...

I think up to that point, I could almost be persuaded to agree with you. But then you continued:

"...instead of being swept out to sea in the tidal wave of Keyes' obnoxious rants. Keyes' behavior has been so appalling that he's freed up Obama's time to run around the country drumming up money and votes for Kerry/Edwards, while Keyes stays "home" and does further damage to other Republican candidates who are actually electable."

I've heard Keyes on many occaisions, even on topics I disagreed with him on, but have ALWAYS been impressed with his ablity to concisely express both his views and the reasons for them. He may be extreme. He may have uncommon opinions. He may be too confident of extreme conservative opinions to be electable. But he is concise, and articulate, and extremely gifted in terms of expressing the reasons for his views. To characterize Keyes' speech as "obnoxious rants" is an extreme mischaracterization of Keyes' ability to speak, and strongly suggests prejudicial malice.

I don't know EVERYTHING that has transpired in his campaign, but what I have looked into has CONSISTENTLY revealed, that his words and actions are AGRESSIVELY distorted by the press, and that a component of Republicans and freepers seem to be AGGRESSIVELY spreading the same distortions. You acuse him of freeing up Obama's time "to run around the country drumming up money and votes for Kerry/Edwards". From my point of view it's obvious that those who repeat the oponent's talking points, and attack Keyes from his own ranks are responsible for freeing up Obama's time. And then they use his sabotaged campaign to justify their attacks. I don't know what your real motivation is, but it's clearly not the circular reasoning you suggest.

Someone, probably EV, mentioned giving aid and confort to the enemy. Fonda and Kerry both tried to undermine our war efforts in Vietam by making illogical arguments, malicious defamation, and expressing contempt for our troops... spreading KGB propoganda from inside our own country. The analogy is unmistakeable:

"At least Ryan had good tastes in women. Except for sanctimonious crowd that support Keyes now, most Republicans would have voted for Ryan despite the scandal."

"Guts? LOL. The guy is a loon. He shows no fear because he is crazy. And he certainly did not come to Illinois to help anyone but KEYES. WIth KEYES, its always about Keyes."

"For defaming the vice president's daughter and being a general nuisance to the entire country. I can't mask my disgust of Keyes."