In the wake of Alan Keyes’ decision to run for U.S. Senate at
the behest of the Illinois GOP, a cacophony of complaint exploded
forth from “those who know better.” Three primary themes emerged.
First, Alan Keyes is not from Illinois, so his run for office in
that state violates the principles of federalism. Second, Keyes has
no chance of beating Barack Obama, particularly after the
Democratic nominee’s star turn at the otherwise low luster party
convention in Boston. Third, Keyes is suffering from an overload of
conviction. One critic, Mike
Murphy, has suggested Keyes is not a rational human being.
I’ve already written
twice on why Keyes’ run is a good idea, but the subject deserves
another visit. It’s time to put the criticisms of the Keyes’
campaign to bed so the former ambassador can campaign hard without
having constantly to fend of attacks from his natural allies.
First, let’s deal with the argument from federalism. A strong
counter-argument can be made that Keyes’ campaign does not violate
principles of federalism in any way. Illinois has set its election
laws and determined the standards for who can be a candidate
through the action of their own state government. The law merely
requires that Keyes become a resident by election day. If Dr. Keyes
can meet that requirement, as he surely can, then federalism is not
formally breached at all. After this election, if the people of
Illinois determine that they would like to place a greater premium
on having a candidate with long term ties to the state, then they
will be free to do that. There is no end run. There is no court
action circumventing federalism. There is the law of Illinois which
is being fully respected by Keyes’ status as the party’s
nominee.
Second, let’s consider the claim that Keyes can’t win. As Greg
Blankenship and Mike Van Winkle of Obamatruthsquad.com
have pointed
out, Barack Obama lost a congressional race a mere four years
ago and rose to the top of this year’s Democratic primary heap only
through the implosion of Blair Hull’s candidacy. While he burnished
his reputation with a successful speech at the Democratic National
Convention, he remains vulnerable to a strong campaign. Keyes is
not forced to rely solely on his trademark weapon of verbal bombast
in this race. Obama has a liberal record that can be exposed and
repeatedly referenced. Giving up on this race is not the right
thing to do. This seat belongs to a Republican in a state that has
elected Republican office holders to statewide offices in the
recent past. There is little reason to fly the white flag at the
tail end of summer.
The third issue — the notion that Keyes is somehow a man not
worthy of respect or support — is simply disturbing because it
displays the astonishing lack of solidarity displayed by many GOP
types, like Mike Murphy. It would be one thing if some top-level
Republicans have personal problems with Keyes (which seems to be
the case with Murphy and some others), but for them to go on record
and provide ammunition for the other side is nearly unforgivable.
After all, Alan Keyes is absolutely in line with the ideological
positions of the party. He is a small government, pro-life, free
market, pro-U.S. sovereignty conservative. He is the best orator in
either party. His public service record is unblemished. What can
possibly be the upside of knocking him as he begins his
candidacy?
Despite the fact that Democrats don’t comprehend many important
points of governing and are in a rush to emulate the failing
European model of big welfare payments and small defense budgets,
they do understand one thing. In order to maintain a governing
coalition, supporting your friends is important. Despite repeated
calls for Democrats to disassociate themselves from a truly insane
individual, who actually gives aid and comfort to enemies of the
United States (yes, I’m talking about Michael “Fidel” Moore), the
Donkeys just embrace the multi-millionaire proletarian more
closely. The Democrats stick together like three-day old grits
because they care more about winning elections than proving how
bright they are.
Alan Keyes has been willing to step into a low percentage mess
in Illinois. He has endlessly stumped across the nation for the
pro-life cause. No matter how obsessed some commentators are with
his color, his supporters have always loved him for his talent and
commitment, rather than the darkness of his skin or the texture of
his hair. It’s just possible the Illinois GOP saw the same
qualities in Alan Keyes that many of his supporters see. Alan Keyes
is a man who doesn’t triangulate, doesn’t bow before anyone this
side of God, and knows exactly what he wants to say. Maybe Illinois
Republicans know that when everything has collapsed around you,
taking a chance on a dream is not such a bad idea.
