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.
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.”
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?
Not being an Illinois Resident, I’m not sure he’ll be eligible to vote for or against himself! 🙂
(Checking in from wireless access outside a coffee shop at the base of Mt. Shasta! Yeah, wireless! Keep up the good work, john-boy!)
LOL. The requirements are relatively mild. he can qualify if he needs to
if it were me i wqouldnt bother. it seems like he does this to raise money for himself (he pays himself a hefty salary out of his campaigns). i think thats really where the rubber hits the road.
Speaking of rubber hitting the road…Mail is checked, Shasta is blogged, and we’re about to hit that same road 🙂
Great job, John! Don’t forget to keep an eye on the boyz in the White House! Will they meet John McCain’s demands to be "honorable"? Or will they ignore them when they wish, and campaign at his side when it serves them?
No doubt, you three will keep an eye on it. I gotta go jump in the lake now 🙂
It sounds like this guy does math just like Bush. :p Imagine the fiscal policies that state would have if he got elected. It’s almost as bad as the people in charge of our cities and counties here in PA. Pittsburgh is going bancrupt and our own county of Lawrence, lost a million dollars. Not kidding, just "lost" it. Their explanation….. "well I guess we spent it on something". A MILLION!! Sheesh, you’d think we’d notice something that cost a million dollars.
I think that the only way to get rid of this drain of money that seems to get lost or spent on ….whatever is to have full disclosure and to follow govt. spending closely – on every govt. level.
What a mess.
Or we could limit the amount of money government gets…
The DHS up here in Maine lost $30 Million last year. Just disappeared, apparently. Didn’t stop them from asking for more money in the next budget, though.
Sheesh. It’s amazing. I mean, here I am (like so many others) struggling to pay bills, raise kids, live a decent life and our govt. is throwing away more money than I will see in a life time. While I can understand that it takes alot of money to run the govt., on the flip side of that coin, I would expect to get more for my money. I mean, if you go to the store to buy something, you would expect that product to be what you want it to be and be of some value. We are not getting anything for our money out of this govt. How about another big tax cut for the rich. Or maybe another war that will cost billions. No, I know, let’s go waste billions of dollars to destroy the environment. Our town just spent millions on restoring the downtown area. It looks really pretty to all of the men and women standing in line out front of the City Mission. And you get to walk on really nice roads to get to the unemployment office. Of course, they did put in new buildings for the homeless to sleep outside of. What I don’t get is this – how do you make a difference. We didn’t vote for this beautification. We didn’t ask for new street lights shaped like gas lights. We asked for help with jobs, we asked for help with better transportation so more people could get to jobs. We asked for better employment services. We didn’t even ask for a better welfare program. We asked for a hand up, not a hand out. And instead we get colonial style buildings, a new statue for town square and pretty lamps along roads we can’t drive on because we can’t afford gas or insurance for the car. Okay, I’m ranting. Sorry – just a bit heated today.
John, thanks for the sleuthing. Very helpful to know, just add it to the pile of dirty laundry on both sides of the political fence. My personal story of my introduction to Mr. Keyes…
In January of 2000, when I was only beginning to become concerned with our nation’s politics and (like most Americans) knew very little, I listened to some of the NH Republican primary debates on NPR. I had seen John McCain, and was very intrigued (save for his stand on homosexuality). Yet it was this other person that really captured my attention.
Listening to his high voice, and hearing his aggressive claims was frightening. His extremity left me feeling scared and hostile. I remember sitting at my desk at work thinking: who is this wacko Alan Keyes? Is THIS the new Republican Party? Is this what people really believe out there? Do I even live in the same America? Have we lost ALL REASON?!
As most of my news source came over the radio at that point, I was subjected to commentary from him and about him pretty regularly. The sound of his voice began to haunt me, and I told my friends to listen to the debates just to hear this guy. I kept tuning in, obviously to learn about the other candidates, but also to hear what new plan this guy would possibly have next.
Then came the moment that set me over the edge, when I finally watched one of the debates on televsion. I just about shat myself. ALAN KEYES WAS BLACK?! How– I mean, what–who? WHAT?!!? #%$@#!%$j#j%$@#j!%$!!!
I was stunned. Completely, and honestly. Truth be known, I am still stunned to this day. Nightmares. It’s not pretty. Alan Keyes is black.
What is the world coming to?
Thankfully, the real positive is that we can officially be assured there will be another black person on Capitol Hill (which I’m sure played a large part in his decision, crazy or not), and Keyes’ acceptance of the nomination just about confirms Obama’s victory. Still, I may run for the hills if Illinois comes anywhere near close to electing this guy.
Bryan,
Problem is this guy will get votes. the neandercons placed him in the slot with absolutely no shame whatsoever. Every commentary i have heard on him mentions this thing he said about the 2000 senate race but only a couple have had the sense to point out that it was his statement about why he would not face Hillary Clinton.
He’ll get votes, which only shows both insanity and partisanship. He won’t garner enough support to win though, and I don’t think he’ll have enough sense to do any lasting damage to Obama’s reputation.
I thought that as well about HRC, but figured it should be a given to the thinking public, pun intended.
Bryan,
you are spot on. He has no illusions about winning. You should have heard his acceptance speech. its interesting how much the national press isnt covering what Keyes is saying.
the following is the crescendo of his speech from the illinois leader:
But in any case, we do face an uphill battle, there is no doubt. So I am not going to stand here and with tremendous ease promise you a victory.
But I will tell you what I will promise. I will promise you a fight!
And if you are willing to join me in that fight, to join me with your money, to join me with your work, to join me, especially, with your prayer, then I will promise you a battle like this nation has never seen.
Go forward now, into your neighborhoods and into your communities, and back to your schools and your work places and your churches. Tell them that the battle is joined, that the fight is our hands.
The battle is for us. But I have confidence, because the victory is for God.
http://www.illinoisleader.com/n...ew.asp?c=18409