All conservatives are naturally going to be targets of the Left; this is a given. The MSM will drag out all sorts of garbage if they think it will topple their opponents, for example, the revelation that President Bush received a DWI citation in Maine in the 1970s, just before the 2000 presidential election, and the National Guard document forgeries in the 2004 presidential election. Alan Keyes, for all his academic skills, lacked a full understanding of the hostile nature of the MSM and liberals. I think he was set up to make that remark regarding Vice President Cheney's daughter. He was baited and fell for it. Keyes may have known that his daughter was a lesbian at that point. His remarks regarding Cheney's daughter would thus appear hypocritical. If he didn't, you just don't insult the family members of a high ranking official of your own party.
Scripture admonishes us to be as wise as serpents, and as innocent as doves. A young George Washington warned British General Braddock about the foolishness of European style maneuvers in the Appalachian wilderness during the French and Indian War. Braddock didn't listen, and his forces were successfully ambushed near present day Pittsburgh. Keyes, the academic, should pay more heed to those who are familiar with practical politics.