2004

First Question for Keyes on Tuesday Evening

ArchPundit October 31, 2004 2 Comments

About those polls…

Keyes also said he doesn’t believe polls that show Obama far ahead in Tuesday’s election for the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.

“As far as I know, for instance, those polls are still showing a majority of pro-life people voting for Barack Obama,” Keyes told reporters at Sangamon County Republican headquarters. “Every time somebody suggests that, I just laugh. … Who would believe such nonsense?”

What Keyes doesn’t get is that every pro-life voter doesn’t view pro-life as the only issue they vote upon. Just as every pro-choice voter doesn’t only use pro-choice issues as their only standard for a candidate.

One big consideration is whether the other guy is a huge loon.

A Story of Caution, Not Bombs

ArchPundit October 29, 2004 6 Comments

After a small detour of checking in Springfield the Keyes mail bomb scare led me to the Police Department of Stafford, Texas–a Houston Suburb where Keyes contribution processing is done. Detective Veratto was very helpful and filled in the details.

This was the first call to the police department, so the human waste story may have occured, but if it did, it was not reported to the police. The Stafford PD says the company reports that they receive lots of strange things there, but that this was the first package that necessitated a police call in 15 years. The company declined to comment. I have a call into the Keyes campaign.

The package that aroused suspicion was a heavy letter with a lot of mass at the bottom of a business return envelope. Alert to potential dangers, the local police were called. The police examined the item and called the local fire department. The local fire department responded and suggested calling the Houston Bomb Squad which then x-rayed the package to ensure it was safe. The FBI was also notified. It turned out to be a railroad spike.

All of this is a reasonable reaction given concerns over such packages, but what is interesting and certainly contrary to the impression of the e-mail sent by the Keyes campaign, is that letter contained no threats–in fact the envelope only contained the spike. No crime was committed in this case. It was an obnoxious prank, but just that–an obnoxious prank.

There is no threat and the mailing of a railroad spike is not illegal. It does however cost the Keyes campaign a fair amount of postage and it obviously is stupid for the very reason of the problems it created for a business.

There appears to be no indication of criminal intent, but my own guess is that someone was mailed a direct mail solicitation, didn’t like Alan and decided to cost him some extra cash on the return.

IOW, the Keyes campaign decided to stretch the story to try and wring some donations out of people. That’s class.

Now back to other election related trivia.

UPDATE: Fixed numerous errors in grammar.

Charming Keyes Supporters

ArchPundit October 29, 2004 8 Comments

from comments:

I was outside the event for the pre-debate rally. One of the Keyes supporters claimed “There was a special place in Hell for people like me.” (Charming!) So I asked here to clarify. “God’s retribution is swift,” she replied. So I decided to push the process along: I held up my umbrella to the skies and shouted, “Strike me dead, God! Strike me dead!!” That got laughs from BOTH sides, but alas, no lightning.

I guess God supports Obama.

Keyes Sayeth Bush will Lose becuase of Civil Union Comments

ArchPundit October 29, 2004 No Comments

Heh. According to rumors on the Leader Looper board. About as trustworthy as claims there was a fake bomb sent to the Keyes campaign.