Are you ready for Keyesmania?
posted at 1:08 pm on September 15, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Suggested campaign slogan: “Because Sam Brownback isn’t religious enough.”
After two previous runs for U.S. president, former Reagan diplomat Alan Keyes has announced he’s again seeking the White House in the 2008 election, and he’ll take part in Monday night’s Republican presidential debate here.
Keyes told syndicated radio host Janet Parshall he’s “unmoved” by the lack of moral courage shown by the other candidates, among whom he sees no standout who articulates the “key kernel of truth that must, with courage, be presented to our people.”
He added, “The one thing I’ve always been called to do is to raise the standard … of our allegiance to God and His authority that has been the foundation stone of our nation’s life” – and he decried the lack of “forthright, clear, and clarion declaration” from the current crop of presidential contenders.
With a little luck, he catches fire in South Carolina, sweeps to a surprise victory in Florida, rides the momentum to a shock running o’ the table on Super Ultra Mega Tuesday, and suddenly America gets the long-awaited general election rematch of the Illinois senate race three years ago that Keyes lost to Obama by, er, 43 points.
Exit question: Good news for Rudy? Keyes is only going to nibble at the most marginal margins in terms of popular support but he’s a good debater whose “values” cred is stronger than Fred’s and Mitt’s. Can he play Nader to their Gore in tight primaries in the south?
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I like keyes, but he’s been saying some weird stuff over the past few years. And his obama campaign really turned me off. i voted for him in 1996 primaries (maybe 92 I forget), but not this time around.
lorien1973 on September 15, 2007 at 1:13 PM
I’ve donated to Keyes in the past. He’s a smart and well-spoken guy. Haven’t heard much about him lately.
mikeyboss on September 15, 2007 at 1:14 PM
Oy. Just wait for the nutroots and MSM attack machines to sink their collective tooth into this. I wonder if even his gay daughter will vote for him.
kevcad on September 15, 2007 at 1:16 PM
I kind of like Keyes, but as far as running for President this time around… groan pretty much sums it up.
BadgerHawk on September 15, 2007 at 1:21 PM
The big question is, can he outpoll Ron Paul?
JammieWearingFool on September 15, 2007 at 1:21 PM
Egads. During his previous presidential runs, I admired his convictions and passion. I had wished the other candidates shared these qualities. I didn’t believe he had a chance and didn’t think he was presidential material.
Mr Keyes is right about one thing, there isn’t enough conservatism being advocated by the candidates. Then again, because of the number of debate candidates, there isn’t a lot of time to give to candidates in their rhetoric to get beyond talking points and slogans. Maybe this will change with Fred, but I am not holding by breath.
Still, I say to Keyes’ announcement into the presidential race: Egads!
Who’s next Bauer? Forbes? (Although I liked the latter, though he had nearly zero charisma.)
Weebork on September 15, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Weebork on September 15, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Forbes is backing Giuliani.
Big S on September 15, 2007 at 1:36 PM
Can I declare my candidacy and appear in a debate too? i think 15 people on stage just isn’t enough.
lorien1973 on September 15, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Oy. Because we needed yet another candidate…
amerpundit on September 15, 2007 at 1:41 PM
I’d support you. You debate well in the DP forums.
amerpundit on September 15, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Me, too! Me, too - er, sixteen!
CK MacLeod on September 15, 2007 at 1:43 PM
er, seventeen.
So easy to lose count…
CK MacLeod on September 15, 2007 at 1:44 PM
I thought this was a post about Alicia Keys.
Metro on September 15, 2007 at 1:44 PM
Keyes is a sharp guy. Judging that he lost by a landslide in Illinois is short-sighted, considering what a liberal state it is. Take a good look at Chicago, for god’s sake. Now get him to run somewhere like Kansas.
MadisonConservative on September 15, 2007 at 1:48 PM
Darn. I thought someone found my car keyes.
mimi1220 on September 15, 2007 at 1:49 PM
I am ridiculously fond of Alan Keyes. It’s a little like my reaction to Dennis Kucinich, in a way — I don’t agree with his politics, I know he’s got no chance of getting anywhere, and if pressed I will admit that he’s maybe as nutty as a bedbug, but dammit, I kind of love him anyway.
(My fondness for Kucinich is actually kind of shameful. What? He’s cozying up to Assad? Dennis, you crazy hippie! …awww, I can’t stay mad at you. He was endorsed by Grandfather Twilight, people!)
Well-Armed Lamb on September 15, 2007 at 1:57 PM
This could be good. I have been thinking for a long time that it would take a black man to say things about Liberal/Democrat racism that need to be said.
I would prefer Steele, and I have doubts that Keyes has what it takes to focus on the issue. The idea is to stir the pot, get black voters thinking, and then when Obama gets rejected by a corrupt Democrat Party, and Hillary, we’ve got em.
We will need someone who can win (not Keyes). I don’t think it will be Fred (too old for me though I like him). Keyes as VP would be a nice strategic/symbolic move.
Agrippa2k on September 15, 2007 at 1:58 PM
Biden says Keyes is unclean.
Bugler on September 15, 2007 at 1:58 PM
No he isn’t and Illinois is not that red, especially downstate. Illinois has become the Louisiana of the north thanks to corruption. Then Keyes came in and added his own special brand of crazy. All Obama had to do was keep his mouth shut.
This truly sucks for the Republican party.
Bill C on September 15, 2007 at 2:05 PM
your on DP? What’s your usename?
lorien1973 on September 15, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Lorien,
I use my full personal name, so I’ll email it or PM you later today. I’m just out on the road right now.
Btw, Allah, wait a bit on the iphone. Typing and posting has been horrible on this, at least for me.
amerpundit on September 15, 2007 at 2:13 PM
As a candidate no. As a driver of coservative issues. yes.
He will at least put Gilianni and Romney on guard on conservative values issues
William Amos on September 15, 2007 at 2:33 PM
Doh…nice way to rub it in…
doriangrey on September 15, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Keyes was a great and well informed debater in 2000, I haven’t heard much from him since. While he may not have a chance getting elected he very possible could have the same effect on the debates that Newt would, which is to say dramatically impact the debates and force them to become far more serious and substantive.
doriangrey on September 15, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Keyes will be the matching bookend to Ron Paul. That said, I’ve always liked him. Of course, I’ve never studied his views, just listened to his speeches, debates, and comments, so I don’t know him very well.
jaime on September 15, 2007 at 2:45 PM
What Keyes may due is draw the values fault line in the debate. He will say what a social conservative is and is not, and it will resonate with the audience. Which candidate will be on Keyes side of the fence? Not Rudy.
This bad for Rudy from a perception standpoint. If his campaign has to back up to “Hey lets focus on what we have in common instead of our diferences” and be on the defense it will be a huge strategic setback. Notice is attack ad about Hilary, it was an ad for the general not the primaries. His campaign focus would have to retreat to regain ground if primary voters are reminded of his stances gay marriage, federal funding for abortions, etc..
This is the home stretch, and the diferences in the candidates is what people want to hear. The differences are how they choose a candidate. Keyes coming into the debate will be a strong reminder of Rudy’s social position, so he loses not Mitt or Fred. No one is going to vote for Keyes. Conservatives do not vote like the Green Party.
Theworldisnotenough on September 15, 2007 at 2:47 PM
I’m just hoping for some horrifically awesome showdown between him and Paul.
bj1126 on September 15, 2007 at 2:51 PM
I’m thinking the first time Ron Paul opens his piehole and says something stupid Keyes is going to put his foot up Ron Paul’s a$$ so far Ron is going to be coughing out shoelaces.
doriangrey on September 15, 2007 at 2:54 PM
This is actually very interesting. I think he will do better than expected. He really is a different candidate than any of the others; and no, not because he’s black. I’m still not ready to think that what has conventionally been the case will be the case this time around. That is why I am still watching Hunter, and this Keyes entry might be suprisingly good. I like it anyways.
Weight of Glory on September 15, 2007 at 2:58 PM
The media will ignore Keyes, the other candidates will ignore him, and ultimately the voters will ignore him. Unless the voting age has been lowered to 4, I think most Republican voters know what he brings to the table already, it’s not going to be any revelation. Welcome to the circus, anyway, Mr. Keyes, look out for the elephant poo.
RightOFLeft on September 15, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Not anybody… except maybe Brownback.
Watcher on September 15, 2007 at 3:18 PM
I USED to like Keyes. Sent him money once or twice. Would have supported him for President before. But the last few years, seems like he went a little crazy, started saying things that were unlike his previously established principles and associating with ‘unsavory’ people. I don’t think I’ll be cheering for him again.
LegendHasIt on September 15, 2007 at 3:19 PM
I always like to hear about that foundation stone of our nations’s life stuff. It’s so much more interesting than socialized medicine.
Besides, after the current MoveOn ruckus dies down, maybe some racist liberal group will throw oreos or print a caricature of Keyes. Then we can ask the Dems who’s on board with that.
NellE on September 15, 2007 at 3:21 PM
I don’t get understand why Keyes doesn’t view Brownback as insane enough for him. It must be one of those faith-based things I don’t get as an atheist.
thuja on September 15, 2007 at 3:22 PM
I guess in order to get the Keyes stamp of approval, you need to be willing to respond to a debate question by attempting to lead everyone in a prayer.
Watcher on September 15, 2007 at 3:27 PM
He hasn’t looked this impressive since his scene in Borat.
windbag on September 15, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Who????
right2bright on September 15, 2007 at 3:48 PM
I was wrong:
After he lost the election, Keyes refused to congratulate Barack Obama on his Senate victory. On the other hand, Brownback has had some nice words for Hilary.
Slight change of topic: While I think Brownback is right here in terms of our internal politics to be nice to Hilary, I fear Brownback would pull another Bush and be too nice towards our enemies. Even mean ol’ Hilary would be preferable in confronting the muslims than Bush or Brownback (or Obama or Edwards) and their foolish niceness.
thuja on September 15, 2007 at 4:34 PM
I agree. Keyes is a dynamic speaker and is able to pull the attention of a crowd. I’ve only heard him speak in person once, but he was good.
Troy Rasmussen on September 15, 2007 at 4:38 PM
Here in Illinois — “Land of the Death of Lincoln’s GOP” — we view Keyes as “the reason everyone has to listen to a dipshit like Obama”.
Jaibones on September 15, 2007 at 5:16 PM
I like Keyes, but I really think he should just stay out of it this time. I doubt he’ll do very well anyway.
jdawg on September 15, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Keyes?
NONONONONONONONO!
georgej on September 15, 2007 at 6:07 PM
Simple euclidean triangulation shows why this is good. Alan Keyes makes Newt more palatable and will give conservatives a much needed boost of confidence.
Support Alan Keyes, vote for Gingrich.
The Race Card on September 15, 2007 at 7:23 PM
Alan Keyes for VP!
jihadwatcher on September 15, 2007 at 7:58 PM
You guys did see that Fred, Rudy, Romney and McCain aren’t participating in this debate, right?
And John Cox? I had to Google him to see who he was.
Hollowpoint on September 15, 2007 at 8:01 PM
as a resident of illinois since 1992:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
jummy on September 15, 2007 at 8:05 PM
His time for the being in the spotlight has passed. I liked and supported him some years ago but his mistreatment at the hands of the GOP establishment has driven him slightly over the edge. His fantastic speaking ability and desire to keep all our founding principles intact, including those in the Declaration of Independence, continue to make me sympathetic to him.
TBinSTL on September 15, 2007 at 8:36 PM
Alan Keyes is a great guy and probably one of the most articulate men on the planet. I’m glad to see him enter the debate.
Maxx on September 15, 2007 at 8:49 PM
I like Alan Keyes. More power to him. If he can shake things up - then go for it. I hate a scripted election.
Maxx,
He is not the most articulate man on he planet — I believe Newt has that honor - Keyes comes in second place.
Neocon Peg on September 15, 2007 at 8:51 PM
Dream(on)ticket..Ron Paul & Alan Keyes.
Legions on September 15, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Oh, Lord…
Jaibones on September 15, 2007 at 11:31 PM
Lorien - “but not this time around.”
Exactly right. I voted for him in ‘92 AND ‘96 but after that whole carpetbagging incident, forget it.
Tony737 on September 16, 2007 at 12:22 AM
I find myself agreeing with you in an odd sort of way. If theres something I hate more than liberalism, it’s inconsistency. While a complete moron, at least Kucinich is consistent. All the other Dem frontrunners are inconsistent “progressives” who hide what they truly think.
HYTEAndy on September 16, 2007 at 1:59 AM
Keyes may have the right idea on some Christian topics, but for the most part he is an embarrassment. Nice guy maybe, but no serious politician.
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on September 16, 2007 at 10:43 AM
I love Keyes as a speaker, and he’s awesome as a debater. But lately, in some ways he’s too intense,he’s got that missionary fevah that just can’t work in politics. The sad thing is he’s such a great speaker, you want to put that talent to work for you.
He should replace Tony Snow as press secretary!
Iblis on September 16, 2007 at 4:52 PM