I live in Illinois. Keyes running because Bush supporters won't show up

[FullCountNotRecount]

at polls because Kerry is expected to win big and they needed a red-meat conservative to get their base out. They won't lose any more seats in the state house and any close US Rep district might be affected also. It also brings out an African-American who hates gays which is popular among many African-American churches. They can also use Keyes on a national platform to keep saying "Barack won't appear with me!"

[Walt Starr]

1. But it's having the opposite of the desired affect

The moderate Republicans are discouraged and may not show up, African Americans are wise to Keyes and will show up to vote against him which is a plus since they want to vote for Obama.

We could pick up some House seats in Illinois this year because Keyes turns off so many in the Republican Party. Only the most rabid of rightwingers like him.

[fdr_hst_fan]

2. True-he's what used to be

called a "house nigger" in the antebellum south!

[pmbryant]

3. Keyes is running because he's the only one who wants to

No one else wanted to waste their time in a sure-losing effort.

Keyes was, what, the Illinois GOP's 10th or 11th choice? :eyes:

Peter

[Tweed]

4. I live in Illinois too and I can tell you that Keyes will hurt more

then help. I've lived in Springfield, IL, Elmhurst, IL and now live in Chicago. That's downstate, suburbs and Chicago. I can tell you that the Republicans in the suburbs are moderates and won't go for Keyes' conservative talk and the downstaters won't go for Keyes because he's not from Illinois. The city surely as hell won't go for him because we are Democrats. Obama will get over 75% of the vote or the Libertarian candidate will come in 3rd. The Republican are more likely to come out and vote because of the House races then Keyes.

[Hawkeye-X]

6. Would it funny if...

Keyes-R was dead last in a four-way race for U.S. Senate?

Barack Obama (D) - 67%
Jerry Kohn (L) - 25%
Albert Franzen (I) - 6%
Alan Keyes (R) - 2%

[Tweed]

7. HAHAHAHAH, that would be great

but sadly Keyes will get more then 2%. There are some rank and file Republicans here. Let's say something terrible happened to Obama or Dick Dubrin and they ran someone like Gary Hart.

[JI7]

5. most african americans are turned off by gay bashing

even though they may not all support things like same sex marriage they tend to get turned off by attacks on gays that some do such as alan keyes.

this is from what i know talking to others. many do think it's a sin and don't see gay rights as equal or as important as the struggle for civil rights for african americans. but they also don't like the bashing . i think personal experience with discrimination could be a factor in this.

another thing is that most black leaders such as elected officials and those in other top postions tend to be very much for gay rights and much more liberal on gay rights issues than african americans in general.