ArchPundit

Is Madigan Smiling?

ArchPundit September 7, 2004 2 Comments

Only insofar as the Keyes meltdown will help Democratic downballot races, but the emergence of Barack Obama as a power base unto himself is not good news to Madigan who likes to run the show. It gives Emil more influence over the state operation as a close ally of Obama and movement candidates are always dangerous to the machine. In the short term, it is very, very good for him as he can go to business and use his stand against The Blagorgeous to feed at the corporate trough along with the Governor and he’s probably pretty safe in maintaining seats (sorry Cross guys, but it’s a tough year)

The Peoria Journal Star:

“Somewhere, Illinois House Speaker and state Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan must be smiling.”

roam as far and wide as he wants to

ArchPundit September 7, 2004 No Comments

So much for the Keyes will keep him home theory…in fact, staying out of the news is serving Barack quite well. While he needs to cement his support through standard travels and big media events that showcase his talents, Keyes provides a giant distraction when Obama is out of the news.

Daley’s Plant is at it again

ArchPundit September 7, 2004 1 Comment

Kass puts the issue into a rather good perspective:

I am willing, though, to condemn him for something–he’s a selfish loon.

And he’s foolishly played right into the hands of the Illinois Republican Party establishment, in a desperate political fight over the future of the GOP between conservatives and the combine Republicans who’ve been in bed (not literally) with Chicago Democrats for years.

For those not realizing the likely outcome, Keyes is first choice of Democrats everywhere. I thought, along with many others, that the floating of his name was a joke because we are standing exactly where I figured we’d be after he became a nominee. And I thought the Illinois GOP would see that too. When Syverson, or Jack Roeser, or Rauschenberger say they didn’t expect this, they are either stupid or lying. There could be nothing in his Keyes background that wouldn’t cause one to expect the disaster that he has brought.

One can make reasonable arguments for many (not all) of the general positions he argues for, but he doesn’t do that–he turns up the volume and makes himself a caricature.

It’s the Media’s Fault

ArchPundit September 7, 2004 No Comments

That Alan Keyes can’t control himself. Read the frothing in the first half and then notice the bit at the end.

Little Tent Party

ArchPundit September 7, 2004 No Comments

LaBarbera pushing for the little tent in attacking Topinka

A Kinder, Gentler Keyes?

ArchPundit September 6, 2004 No Comments

Hah!

Keyes appeared at Thursday’s breakfast – sitting in a different room from Topinka – and dismissed calls by some that he apologize to the Cheney family.

“I think folks like that are being a little careless with the integrity of our party,” he told reporters. “We have adopted a plank against gay marriage. We have adopted that plank for a very good reason, and I have presented the clear logic of that plank to people.

“Folks are coming to me saying, ‘Well, we need to exempt our children from the consequences of that logic.’ So, if it’s our child that’s involved, we won’t apply that logic to them? What kind of a party are we if we’re going to take a stand and then try to claim special privileges? I won’t do it.”

There’s like a thousand ways to hold his position and not bring in specific families, but not for Dear Alan.

The Understated Thompson

ArchPundit September 6, 2004 No Comments

“It certainly seems like the party made a mistake, didn’t it?” said former Illinois Gov. James Thompson.

Keyes on Cubs and Sox

ArchPundit September 6, 2004 1 Comment

I’ve always found the Sox to have more room for the street preacher type of fans.

*A Keyes comment: Hey! Hey! When asked whether he was a Cubs or Sox fan,Keyes — a recent transplant from Maryland — stated, “My son, Andrew, says I need to be a Cubs fan because they need you more. But I’ve taken his opinion under advisement.”