guest blogged by johnhp
By Johnhp on 8/8/2004, 10:01am PT  

Alan Keyes has decided to take up the conservative cause against Barak Obama in Illinois. The Republicans offered him the spot even though the Republican primaries had several contestants. In their matrix, the Republican rank and file seems to count for nothing other than donations.

You all may remember Keyes from his entry into the Republican Presidential primaries. Mr. Keyes was there to promote the boot strapping darwininsm and the strict personal responsibility issue that distinguish serious neandercons from compassionate neandercons. Of course, this doesn't apply to Mr. Keyes. Let's look at his responsibility record.

Mr. Keyes ran for Senate in 1992. During this race his campaign garnered a debt of 45,000. He refused to pay this debt until even though he raised more than 34,000 during this time. This is not entirely accurate. He did pay off a little more than 41,000 during 1997-1998 BUT still managed to add more than 15,000 in debt to the 1992 Senate camapaign. Explaining to a reporter about the debt, Keyes said, "I personally do not owe the debt that was owed by the campaign."

But the really telling information comes from his presidential bid:

Inadequate name and occupation disclosures totaling 73,666.

During 1996, three authorized committees did not file disclosure reports as required. In addition, a fourth committee never registered with the Commission and never filed any disclosure reports for 1995.

Reviews of contributions from individuals received by the Primary and Exploratory Committees identified unresolved, excessive contributions totaling 69,271

Disbursements totaling 94,469 were identified which lacked adequate supporting documentation, or for which no canceled check or other payment device was maintained.

Federal Elections Commissions

As important as his fiscal irresponsibility, are Keyes previous statements on carpetbagging:

In 2000, conservatives courted Keyes to drop his presidential bid and run against Hillary Rodham Clinton for U.S. Senate in New York, but Keyes condemned the idea and ripped Clinton.

"I deeply resent the destruction of federalism represented by Hillary Clinton's willingness to go into a state she doesn't even live in and pretend to represent people there. So I certainly wouldn't imitate it," he said on Fox News on March 17, 2000.

Speaking of his probable entry into the race, Keys said:

"I do not take it for granted that it's a good idea to parachute into a state and go into a Senate race," he said before entering meeting the Republican leaders. "As a matter of principle, I don't think it's a good idea."

Keyester Flip

So, if Keyes thinks such action destroys federalism and that he doesn't think its a good idea, why is he running? More importantly, will he stand for his principles and vote against himself?

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