Hastert Endorses Keyes...Well Kinda

[KharmaTrain]

The absurd enters the sublime stage...

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=2139921


CHICAGO U-S House Speaker Dennis Hastert today offered a lukewarm endorsement of Alan Keyes, who has been asked by Illinois Republicans to become their new candidate for U-S Senate.

Hastert questioned whether Keyes' ultraconservative views would play well in Illinois.

He told W-B-B-M that he would support whomever the party chose to go up against Democratic powerhouse Barack Obama (ber-AHK' oh-BAH'-muh). But Hastert said his focus would be on helping Republicans win House seats in other states.

Former Governor Jim Thompson also warned that Republicans who lean too far to the right in Illinois tend to lose.



This day has been too much fun. Wish you were here.

Cheers!

[elperromagico]

1. Has Keyes EVER won an election?

Just wondering.

[KharmaTrain]

6. He Ran For Senate In Maryland...

Pardon my quick response and lack of google...I'm sure it's around here somewhere.

Keyes ran in MD in either '96 or '98 and got his ass kicked in the primaries...didn't poll even 25% in that election. I may be wrong and this was in the general, but I remember the 25% number and that sounds more primary to me.

[Walt Starr]

9. He ran in 1988 AND in 1992 for the Maryland Senate

He took 39.2% of the vote against Sarbanes in '88.

He took 29% of the vote against Mikulski in '92.

My goal in this election is for him to take less than 25% of the vote.

Ideally, he would finish so far behind that Jerry Kohn defeats him for second place.

[KharmaTrain]

12. Thanks Walt...

29%????? Ouch!

I'd expect to see those type of numbers in a 3 or 4 way race...thus the assumption it was a primary.

Now, will anyone dare show up and campaign with this guy? Will there be a TV buy? Does this guy have any friends?

[Walt Starr]

19. We need to get these numbers out to the general Illinois public

Let them see that one of the criteria the SCC had when choosing the candidate was that they have experience in losing Senate races.

:evilgrin:

Then we can point out that there is another candidate on the ballot who is pro-life and espouses many conservative values, plus he actually LIVES in Illinois (Jerry Kohn).

:evilgrin:

If Keyes comes in third, the IL GOP is dead.

[KharmaTrain]

20. I Think Someone Needs To Have Some Drinks...

With these Illinois Conservatives...get 'em nice and tipsy and then whisper Jerry Kohn's name over and over. LOL.

Or, why not do the Naderly thing? Does he have a website? Maybe a couple of bucks may help get some more visibility.

But that would also be the Repugnican thing to do. I'd just like to see him come out in public and where he goes. There's only so many rotary clubs in DuPage County they can hide him in.

[Walt Starr]

21. Yup, he has a website

http://www.kohn2004.org/index.shtml

And his message would play well to the Freeper types.

:evilgrin:

[KharmaTrain]

22. His Latest Update is August 1???

He better play along with us now...what fun is this gonna be if he doesn't play spoiler?

[beyurslf]

7. No. And he has never ran in a General because he has never won

the primary!

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. I read this morning in the Tribune that Edgar isn't thrilled.

This truly is taking on comic proportions. The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.

[Kool Kitty]

3. I hope that C-Span carries the campaign rallies.

They ought to be a hoot, since I believe that Keyes is certifiable.

[Walt Starr]

4. This is good news for Jerry Kohn!

The Libertarian stands a good chance of coming in second now!

If Jim edgar isn't strongly supporting Keyes, many Republicans will go to Kohn because he actually lives in Illinois.

[KharmaTrain]

5. I Told Ya....LOL

Do you know if there's gonna be a press conference? Family group hug? Anything? Might be fun for a bunch of us Chicago area DU'ers to stumble into. LOL!

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. Keyes is a disaster.

If he's the nominee, I can guarantee that my solid-Republican county will vote for Obama. The whole 'carpetbagger' issue is NOT playing well here.

[Dookus]

10. heheh

this one just cracks me up. Is there not ONE decent republican in Illinois?

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. Yes, a couple.

One is our State Treasurer and the other is the immediate-past Lieutenant Governor. Both are moderate, pro-choice women.

[Dookus]

13. And none of them could be convinced to run?

Hell, why doesn't Hastert run?

[Cuban_Liberal]

14. Nope.

Judy Barr-Topinka, the Treasurer, wants to run against Blagoevich for Governor in '06, and Corinne Wood (the ex- Lt. Gov.) is eyeing the same seat. We expect a vicious Republican primary here in '06.

:evilgrin:

[coloradodem2005]

15. I think he has more power as the Speaker of the house.

For one thing he comes right after Cheney in the line of succession. And while being a senator would carry more clout than a congressman, being the Speaker of the House is a whole nother ball game.

[KharmaTrain]

17. Topinka Isn't Gonna Survive This...

http://www.illinoisleader.com/discussion/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=40&TopicID=2764&PagePosition=1

The knives are out for her big time. She's in the middle of this mess and can't please anyone. This party is fracturing as we watch...and she's really painted in a corner. Now, as the head of the state party, does she campaign with/for him? Can she get any money (cause Keyes didn't come cheap) for this campaign/train wreck (I was going to use the word abortion, but it was too easy of a shot)?

After the election there's the fractured Repugnicans here will look around and want someone to hang all this mess on. She's dead red.

Cheers!

[pschoeb]

16. Gotta read his "it's a states right to establish a religion if it wants"

article. The guy argues, since the Constitution does not allow Congress to establish a religion, therefore it must be a States right if a State so desires. pretty hilarious reading.

http://www.renewamerica.us/readings/keyes.pdf

[DaveinMD]

18. when Keyes ran in Maryland

he called the national Republican party racist for not supporting his campaign. The guy is crazy.