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Spliffdaddy · Aug 9, 2004, 12:28 PM

Everybody's favorite Democrat - the guy that won accolades for his speech at the DNC convention - has switched to the Republican party.

We'll take him. Thanks.

CRASH HARDDRIVE · Aug 9, 2004, 12:35 PM

Huh?
Since when?

zachs · Aug 9, 2004, 12:36 PM

He hasn't. The Republicans are stuck with Alan Keyes.

PacHead · Aug 9, 2004, 12:37 PM

I thought Keyes was going to run against the dude who has a name that rhymes with a terrorist.

phoenixboy70 · Aug 9, 2004, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
Everybody's favorite Democrat - the guy that won accolades for his speech at the DNC convention - has switched to the Republican party.

lay off the pot spliffy. it's messin' with yer head.

anywho, - link?

zachs · Aug 9, 2004, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by PacHead:
I thought Keyes was going to run against the dude who has a name that rhymes with a terrorist.

It's Alan Keyes (Who can't decide whether or not running for office in a state other than your own is a *good* thing or a *bad* thing) and Barack Obama.

PacHead · Aug 9, 2004, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by zachs:
It's Alan Keyes (Who can't decide whether or not running for office in a state other than your own is a *good* thing or a *bad* thing) and Barack Obama.

I know their names, Keyes is one of the few black politicians I like. He's definitely no Sharpton or Jackson or some other kind of loony.

BlackGriffen · Aug 9, 2004, 12:48 PM

The Dems did lose a guy, Rodney Alexander, but he's running in Louisiana, not Indiana.

The guy even waited to switch until the last possible moment to try to prevent a Democratic challenger from popping up.

BlackGriffen

mo · Aug 9, 2004, 01:26 PM

"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."
-- Alan Keyes, Fox News, March 17, 2000

Also from Fox News:

Dropping into the race from another state is an uncomfortable position for Keyes, who criticized Hillary Rodham Clinton for moving to New York to make her 2000 Senate run. When asked last week how he felt about running for Senate in a state he had never lived in, he responded: "As a matter of principle, I don't think it's a good idea."

Spliffdaddy · Aug 9, 2004, 01:42 PM

*feverishly checks for substantiating evidence to support his allegation*

I swear I just listened to a 20 minute discussion about this on NPR.

They seemed very surprised by it, as well.

hmmm...

MindFad · Aug 9, 2004, 01:45 PM

I expect a full, self-administered smackdown.

Spliffdaddy · Aug 9, 2004, 01:51 PM

This just in....

Obama switched back to the Democratic party.

Major news outlets have chosen not to cover this story since it all happened so fast and there really was't much of a story when all was said and done.

You guys are damned lucky to have me around - else you'd never be aware of the subtle nuances that serve to make politics so interesting.

waxcrash · Aug 9, 2004, 01:51 PM

Barack Obama is going to beat Alan Keyes this election. Republicans have no chance in Illinois. I can't believe Keyes agreed to run, he is screwed.

Spliffdaddy · Aug 9, 2004, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
Barack Obama is going to beat Alan Keyes this election. Republicans have no chance in Illinois.

Republicans don't want anything to do with Illinois.

Don't mistake their lack of success with failure...it's more of a willful disinterest.

MindFad · Aug 9, 2004, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
This just in....

Obama switched back to the Democratic party.

Major news outlets have chosen not to cover this story since it all happened so fast and there really was't much of a story when all was said and done.

You guys are damned lucky to have me around - else you'd never be aware of the subtle nuances that serve to make politics so interesting.

waxcrash · Aug 9, 2004, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
Republicans don't want anything to do with Illinois.

\

That's why I'm surprised Keyes agreed to run. He is guaranteed to lose, yet he chooses to run. Does Keyes realize that he is just a name to put on the ballot so the Democrats don't run uncontested?

PacHead · Aug 9, 2004, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
\

That's why I'm surprised Keyes agreed to run. He is guaranteed to lose, yet he chooses to run. Does Keyes realize that he is just a name to put on the ballot so the Democrats don't run uncontested?

Nope, it's part of a greater strategy. One that involves making blacks see that blindly voting democrat is not in their best interests.

BasketofPuppies · Aug 9, 2004, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by BlackGriffen:
The Dems did lose a guy, Rodney Alexander, but he's running in Louisiana, not Indiana.

Quoted for emphasis.

phoenixboy70 · Aug 9, 2004, 02:12 PM

it's sad that obama isn't running for presidency. i'd much rather vote for him than for kerry.

i hope he'll be one of the candidates in 2008. democrate or independent, i don't care.

waxcrash · Aug 9, 2004, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by PacHead:
Nope, it's part of a greater strategy. One that involves making blacks see that blindly voting democrat is not in their best interests.

Explain.

TheMosco · Aug 9, 2004, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
\

That's why I'm surprised Keyes agreed to run. He is guaranteed to lose, yet he chooses to run. Does Keyes realize that he is just a name to put on the ballot so the Democrats don't run uncontested?

The really sad thing is they asked Mike Ditka to run before they asked Keys.

greenamp · Aug 9, 2004, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by phoenixboy70:
it's sad that obama isn't running for presidency. i'd much rather vote for him than for kerry.

i hope he'll be one of the candidates in 2008. democrate or independent, i don't care.

The guy has never held public office before has he?

zachs · Aug 9, 2004, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by greenamp:
The guy has never held public office before has he?

Obama? He's a state senator.

BlackGriffen · Aug 9, 2004, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by BasketofPuppies:
Quoted for emphasis.

You just had to quote me fouling up which state Obama was running in, didn't you?

Ooooh, boy - today is not a good day for me to post....

BlackGriffen

BasketofPuppies · Aug 9, 2004, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by PacHead:
Nope, it's part of a greater strategy. One that involves making blacks see that blindly voting democrat is not in their best interests.

Greater strategy, yes, but not that one. The Illinois Republican Party 1.) isn't smart enough to figure that out and 2.) Keyes is way too conservative to convince people, regardless of race, who blindly vote for Democrats that they shouldn't.

The Illinois Republican Party is near death. (Only one Republican is elected to statewide office in Illinois.) Even before the primary elections, it was clear that a Democrat would win the U.S. Senate election.

The Illinois Republican Party does not expect Keyes, nor anyone else it could have chosen, to win this election. But it does need a candidate on the ballot for Senate. Without one, many conservatives will not vote in November and the party will lose even more seats in the state legislature and House of Representatives. Alan Keyes has the greatest name recognition and therefore has the best chance of getting conservatives to vote. That's why he was chosen. (Yes, name recognition was the same reason why Mike Ditka was asked to run.)

PacHead · Aug 9, 2004, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
Explain.

I saw one of the talking heads on tv offer this reasoning a few days ago.

I believe what the idea is, is that even though the other dude will most likely win, the debates will still be a good thing for republicans on a nationwide scale.

PacHead · Aug 9, 2004, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by BasketofPuppies:
Greater strategy, yes, but not that one. The Illinois Republican Party 1.) isn't smart enough to figure that out and 2.) Keyes is way too conservative to convince people, regardless of race, who blindly vote for Democrats that they shouldn't.

The Illinois Republican Party is near death. (Only one Republican is elected to statewide office in Illinois.) Even before the primary elections, it was clear that a Democrat would win the U.S. Senate election.

The Illinois Republican Party does not expect Keyes, nor anyone else it could have chosen, to win this election. But it does need a candidate on the ballot for Senate. Without one, many conservatives will not vote in November and the party will lose even more seats in the state legislature and House of Representatives. Alan Keyes has the greatest name recognition and therefore has the best chance of getting conservatives to vote. That's why he was chosen. (Yes, name recognition was the same reason why Mike Ditka was asked to run.)

Yes, that seems plausible and makes sense.

greenamp · Aug 9, 2004, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by zachs:
Obama? He's a state senator.

Oh ok, I wasn't sure.

BRussell · Aug 9, 2004, 05:02 PM

What's this all about? Is there a WorldNetDaily link to this story? DrudgeReport maybe?

Spliffdaddy · Aug 9, 2004, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by BRussell:
What's this all about? Is there a WorldNetDaily link to this story? DrudgeReport maybe?

The, um, Hillbilly News Network had an exclusive on the story.

zachs · Aug 9, 2004, 06:09 PM

Oh, my. This is rich:

"I had no thought of coming to Illinois to run until the people here in the state party decided there was a need. Just as people faced with a flood, or people in the case of 9/11, would call on folks, firefighters and others to help them deal with the crisis that they were faced with."

Anders · Aug 9, 2004, 06:13 PM

This just in: GWB declare himself a loony.

No, breaking news: GWB lost his consience again: declare himself misquoted.

zigzag · Aug 10, 2004, 05:37 AM

Keyes is probably the most shrill politician I've ever seen. He would make the late Bella Abzug sound like a Southern Belle. When he goes nukular, I have to leave the room to preserve my aging eardrums. He's a smart guy but I think there's a bit of a personality problem there.

I fully support his right to run, and I can accept his argument that while Hillary actively sought an empty seat in a foreign state, he's merely responding to a call. The problem is that the result is the same: a non-resident running for the Senate. Is he going to tell the people of New York that they were wrong to elect Hillary but that the people of Illinois would be right to elect him? That's bullsh*t - the people of a state should be able to elect whom they please. Isn't that more consistent with his so-called federalist principles anyway? He should just admit that he's changed his tune.

I'm just glad he's running in a state other than mine. That voice is a killer.

OSX Abuser · Aug 10, 2004, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
Everybody's favorite Democrat - the guy that won accolades for his speech at the DNC convention - has switched to the Republican party.

We'll take him. Thanks.

I read on the Drudge report he also wants to integrate the Klan.

BlackGriffen · Aug 10, 2004, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by BasketofPuppies:
Greater strategy, yes, but not that one. The Illinois Republican Party 1.) isn't smart enough to figure that out and 2.) Keyes is way too conservative to convince people, regardless of race, who blindly vote for Democrats that they shouldn't.

The Illinois Republican Party is near death. (Only one Republican is elected to statewide office in Illinois.) Even before the primary elections, it was clear that a Democrat would win the U.S. Senate election.

The Illinois Republican Party does not expect Keyes, nor anyone else it could have chosen, to win this election. But it does need a candidate on the ballot for Senate. Without one, many conservatives will not vote in November and the party will lose even more seats in the state legislature and House of Representatives. Alan Keyes has the greatest name recognition and therefore has the best chance of getting conservatives to vote. That's why he was chosen. (Yes, name recognition was the same reason why Mike Ditka was asked to run.)

Whatever strategy they had in mind, I don't think that Keyes will serve it. First polls are out, and Keyes does abysmally. He gets 28 % to Obama's 67%. For a breakdown:

In the internals, blacks choose Obama 9-1, whites choose Obama 2-1, 27 percent of Republicans choose Obama, women choose Obama 4-1.

Keyes gets a sickly 38 percent downstate. If these numbers hold, we may very well looking at three House pickups in Illinois on November 2.

10% of blacks, 33% of whites, 27% of Republicans, and 25% of women don't make for a winning combination. There's an argument to be made that having such a stinky candidate high on your ticket will actually suppress the vote for more moderate candidates because their supporters who dislike stinky may not feel sufficient motivation to go to the polls. The effect wouldn't be huge, of course, but in a tight race you need every % you can get.

The IL Republicans probably could have done better by grabbing a random guy off the street. Hell, they might have done better with a sock puppet.

BlackGriffen

MacGorilla · Aug 10, 2004, 12:11 PM

Alan Keyes=scarificial lamb for the GOP.

davesimondotcom · Aug 10, 2004, 02:00 PM

Illinois is lucky:

I was impressed with Obama's performance at the DNC. He seems very sharp, and his speech (or what I saw of it) seemed to rise above the political finger pointing and actually inspire people.

I have also had the opportunity to meet Ambassador Keyes and here him speak. He was very good as well, although a bit too religious for my taste. When he was talking about non-spiritual issues, he was dead on. A very intelligent man and fine speaker in his own right.

Montezuma58 · Aug 10, 2004, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by zigzag:
Keyes is probably the most shrill politician I've ever seen. He would make the late Bella Abzug sound like a Southern Belle. When he goes nukular, I have to leave the room to preserve my aging eardrums. He's a smart guy but I think there's a bit of a personality problem there.

I watched him on television when he was speaking at a rally supporting Roy Moore. It was bad enough that he was closely associating himself with Moore. But he made it even worse because he looked like a raving lunatic during his speech. If he had been on the street corner giving that speech he would have been arrested and held for mental evaluation.

DeathToWindows · Aug 10, 2004, 10:26 PM

spliff, lay off the drugs - they don't do a body good

zachs · Aug 10, 2004, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by DeathToWindows:
spliff, lay off the drugs - they don't do a body good

He gets a RUSH from them.

CreepingDeth · Aug 10, 2004, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by zachs:
He gets a RUSH from them.

But you pay MOORE for them. The BILL is higher for you.

IRAN to TURKEY because I was HUNGARY and CHILE.

He was listening to NPR (Nonstop Propaganda Radio)

zachs · Aug 10, 2004, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by CreepingDeath:
But you pay MOORE for them. The BILL is higher for you.

IRAN to TURKEY because I was HUNGARY and CHILE.

He was listening to NPR (Nonstop Propaganda Radio)

Don't beat around the BUSH and DeLAY the inevitable.
You're gonna DIEbold anyway, so live life to the fullest and crack open a CORZine.

CreepingDeth · Aug 10, 2004, 11:02 PM

I will OBAMA you ASS if you don't FEINGOLD in BYRD country.
This is gay.

zachs · Aug 10, 2004, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by CreepingDeath:
I will OBAMA you ASS if you don't FEINGOLD in BYRD country.
This is gay.

Some people act like total DICKs!

CreepingDeth · Aug 10, 2004, 11:06 PM

Some people KERRY too much BOXERs on the BACH. You can't HANDLE it.
Last two aren't politicians.

zachs · Aug 10, 2004, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by CreepingDeath:
Some people KERRY too much BOXERs on the BACH. You can't HANDLE it.
Last two aren't politicians.

If you wear SCHWARTZeneggar in the middle of a SNOWE storm, chances are you need DASCHle to the store to BAYH yourself whole LOTT of new clothes.