Ever debate needs a clown. Reps have Keyes. Dems have Hillary.

P.S. I think you mean Johnston?  I've lived in Iowa my whole life, and I don't think there is such a place as Johnstown.  Neither does Google or Mapquest.  

Maybe if First Read had an Iowa savvy staff, this would not have happened.  :)

P.K. Winsome joins the debate.

Google it...

Maybe they should have a debate between Keyes, Kucinich, and Gravel.

bet that would be the ultimate 3 ring circus

Today's debate is clown college

Yup Hillary is a clown..and she will laugh all the way to the White House. I am delighted that the GOP is stuck with self loving, moronic idiot called Keyes. The guy is a perennial loser and will help set the momentum for 'clowns' like Hillary. Go Keyes..and by all means my GOP'er friends...run that idiot!.

It's incredibly offensive to compare Keyes to Hillary Clinton. Like her or not, she's been in the Senate for 7 years, among multiple other accomplishments, and her views are well within the mainstream. He's a radical conservative who has been elected to nothing.

thanks for the heads up, carrie. spelling mistakes happen  :)

carrie - lol, I believe you were referring to that FR posting about the Hillary campaign misspelling a town in Iowa.

I can't believe they have Keyes in this thing. The guy is a loony of the highest order. Truly. The other candidates cannot be happy about it, although maybe it will make the Republicans look more "diverse." The scary thing is, nearly 30% of the people in Illinois pulled the lever for that guy in 2004. Thirty percent!

Alan Keyes?

Just when I thought the GOP couldn't get any more ludicrous with their array of moronic candidates, Alan Keyes proves that they've only just begun.

So Ron Paul has competition now for Craziest Republican Candidate.  This is going to be fun.

Anyone who says that this country is not ready for an African-American president is doing nothing but helping to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Some of us are ready, willing, and hopeful.  Others are not, I keep hearing one or two pipping in that we'll never be able to elect an African-American as president.   How can we with that attitude?  Are you just pessimistic or are YOU not ready for Barack Obama?

Health care.  I have said it before and I will say it again;  Hillary's plan is BULL.  Krugman is either a fool or just a big Hillary supporter.   A mandated healthcare policy does not necessarily translate into lower costs.  We have a "universal healthcare policy" here in Massachusetts, and it isn't that good.  We are required to get it, we HAVE to buy it.  It was MITT ROMNEY'S IDEA.  The insurance companies LOVE IT.

Furthermore, as I said before, Hillary's plan is so vague that it smells like fish.   She has refused to specify how it would be enforced, leaving me to wonder if;
A)  It'll be a harsh penalty if you refuse to follow the MANDATE, or
B)  It's just political talk to get her elected and be able to say Obama is cruel because he's not SAYING that he'll force everyone to buy it.

What's this I've been hearing?  Clinton is going to go after Obama on his past cocaine use?   My God, can't she dig her own dirt up?  HE BROUGHT THAT TO LIGHT, under no pressure, to make a very solid point that HE WAS A STUPID KID AND DRUGS ARE BAD.  Like her husband was any shinning example of morality?  Obama at least admited that he inhaled. Let's not even get to the rumors surrounding Hillary's morality, as they are just rumors.

I also hear Clinton's campaign is looking into his time as a community organizer/activist.  So much for being above the fray, so much for our hopes of getting past vicious politicians and unfounded personal attacks.  Like her healthcare policy, which is at best Mitt Romney's and at worst just empty rhetoric, she learns well from Republicans.  It's too bad that she would completely hand them the White House if she makes it to the general election.  And you know what?  We would deserve it for voting for politics of the past.
We need change.   Even the REPUBLICANS see that!  Huckabee is winning for all of the same reasons as Barack;  he's been running a positive campaign, he comes across as a human(all past statements and current views aside...), he hasn't resorted to name-calling, he hasn't resorted to personal attacks, he's portrayed himself as future-oriented and he genuinely appears ready to lead ALL Americans and not just his political party.

I've been told that if I'm not for Hillary, it's because I'm sexist.  A friend said this to me.  I asked her, "does that mean you're racist for not being for Obama?"
People need to THINK before using their god-given right to vote.

And I hope, I HOPE Hillary and her people keep calling him "Barack Hussein Obama."  You know who else does that?   ANN COULTER!  Good god, shoot me now.

Barack Obama, a change I believe in with all my heart and mind.

Oh, one more thing;

Obama served in the state Senate before becoming a U.S. Senator.  He's been in elected office for longer than Hillary has.  Eleven years > Seven years.

All I can say is: Gravel Rocks!  Wish we had a few like him in the senate now, maybe impeachment would be on the table and troops on their way home.  Democrats used to have nads, what happened?

I like hearing Keyes debate.  He addresses his answers through the lens of the Constitution, as all debates over govt policy should be.

Mark Murray:  No offense, I hope.  As CMS suggested, I was making fun of the hoopla about the Clinton staffer misspelling Ankeny.  

### Ever debate needs a clown. Reps have Keyes. Dems have Hillary. ###

Keyes is at least a funny clown.

Hillary is just a sad clown.

From a conservative point of view (not necessarily mine) I think Keyes makes a lot of sense.  He is melodramatic, bombastic- overall, quite the drama queen, but cut through that and you see he's a very smart guy with ideas many conservatives would espouse.

Don't be so hard on Keyes. At least he had the courage to be an American goodwill liaison with Kazakhstan.

SKM:

What is wrong with "Barack Hussein Obama"?  It's no different than Hillary Rodham Clinton, Richard Milhouse Nixon, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, William Jefferson Clinton, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Gerald Rudolph Ford.

It's his middle name for God's sake.  

I do agree with you on the positive campaign point.  The Democrats would have won in 2004 if they had adopted that tactic.

Keyes/Paul for president?

I remember that race here between Obama and Keyes.  We were at first amazed and then it became a joke when the republican party could not find anyone who would run against Sen. Obama.
He was running, afterall, about 20 points ahead of Ryan before his campaign imploded.  and then, they found Keyes.
Watch a video of the debate between Obama and Keyes and it is a riot.  Keyes was so off the wall that Obama just would shake his head in disbelief.

Has anyone asked Hillary point blank about her drug and alcohol use as a young person?  If so, did she model her answer after Bill's, Barack's or come up with something on her own, assuming she answered in the first place?

Alan Keyes I am sure Chris (tweety) Matthews will gush over him as great, like he does over ever Redpublican what a blowheart, I stop watching him I take O'reilly , Beck and watch John Gibson over him any day at least you know where they are coming from.

This is so funny.
How did that Obama - Keyes Illinois Senate race turn out, by the way?

I'm beginning to think that the Repugnicant slate of candidates is so pathetic that the actual nominee will be none of the existing candidates.  Instead, they will all arrive in Minneapolis with about 20% of the vote and no one will be able to cobble together a majority.  Then, the GOP backroom fascists (Karl Rove, Jim Baker, et. al.) will hand select the nominee.  I won't bet on this scenario just yet, but mark my words.  I've been right about everything else regarding this election.
Obama/Webb '08

I want to know how offended black people are by Alan Keyes?
I want to know if they realize him as the token black guy being trodded out to look as if the Republican Hate Monger Party supports diversity?
Is it not obvious?

Richard,
You are right, it IS his middle name.  He shouldn't be ashamed of it.  Yet you seem smart enough, you can right a coherant post.   You know everytime a Hillary supporter is bringing up his middle name, just like Ann Coulter was doing, it was for one reason; to encourage blind intolerance.

I'm beginning to think the Democrap slate of candidates is so pathetic that the actual nominee will be none of the existing candidates.  Instead, they will all arrive in Denver with about 20% of the vote and no one will be able to cobble together a majority.  Then, the Donkey backroom communists (Terry McAwful, Al Gore and Robert Reich)will hand massage, er, select the nominee.  I won't bet on this scenario just yet, but mark my words.  I've been right about everything else regarding this election.

Huckabee/Jindal '08

Keyes is a racist homophobe who has no place in politics.

I want to know how many posters here are offended by Desperate, Overland Park KS.  I want to know if they realize him/her as the token intellectual being trotted (I prefer that spelling)out to look as if the Democrat Arrogant Pseudo-Intellectual Party of Nuance and Communists supports all levels of intellect and both two and three digit IQ's.  Is it not obvious?

Well, that's enought of that, I suppose.

In all seriousness, however, I do have to thank First Read for bringing to my attention that Alan Keyes is in the debate. Otherwise, I'd have had no idea.  He's a non-entity and gives Democrats the same opportunities for derision and ridicule as Dennis Kucinich does for Republicans.

Both men are actually good people, but are way out of their element in presidential politics and serve mostly as punching bags.

Alan Keyes is another dogmatic creep that will push his religious views down everyones throat, Wheteher you subscribe to it or not.

RELIGION HAS NO PLACE IN POLITICS, OR THE PUBLIC SQUARE.

Gravel has been fading very badly of late, so I'm very glad that Alan Keyes has thrown his straitjacket into the ring. Please pass the popcorn.

S.K.M. Mass

You are the best story-maker/teller.

"The scary thing is nearly 30% of the people in Illinois pulled the lever for that guy on 2004."

I didn't realize that the 30% that still support Bush all live in Illinois!

Jimmy Chicago IL is another dogmatic creep that will push his anti-religious views down everyones throat, Wheteher you subscribe to it or not.

Jimmy Chicago IL HAS NO PLACE IN POLITICS, OR THE PUBLIC SQUARE.

"The scary thing is nearly 30% of the people in Illinois pulled the lever for that guy on 2004."

I didn't realize that the 30% that still support Bush all live in Illinois!


Sorry to disappoint, but Illinois is as Blue a state as there is in the country Connie. It's liberal Democrat top to bottom. That's why our government services are going down to nothing, taxes are going through the roof, and the state is broke. The 30% that voted for Keyes must have been Democrats that were drunk. Me? I left the Senate box unchecked that year.

Wow, Richard did I strike a nerve?

I make no claim to ownership of the truth. But the things that I say are often times true, because I try to base my opinions in fact and science. Now if the truth offends people, then it's not my problem. Yes, Sherry Shepherd the world is round. Sorry, Virginia there is not God (oops I mean santa claus, imaginary old guy with a beard you know it gets confusing).

Also did you just call me the token smart guy? I don't think I'm smart enough to understand you.

Lastly, you rail against democrats and communism or socialism. I sir am no socialist or communist, but as Adam Smith (founder of capitalism) and our founding fathers realized some things do need to be provided for by the state.

Are you currently unhappy with your socialist roads and highway system?
I'm ashamed at you sir. You hate our socialist police departments and socialist firemen. I'll have you know that the policemen and firemen who died on 9/11 were some of the bravest men ever. How day you sir, how dare you. (chuckling to myself, how does that reversal feel).

Finally my question still stands, how is Alan Keyes not a token be trotted (thank you) out to make the Republican party look like they support diversity? You don't think he's really running to win do you? Then if he's not running to win he has to serve a purpose. What's his purpose? Think about it, you'll get there.

Hey Desperate, Overland Park KS why don't you go "try" to find one of the 2.55% African Americans in your home town and ask them face to face. Don't be scared. Most of them have a hell of sense of humor. I'm sure they'll get a kick out of you race baiting clown like you.

Hey, I actually do think the country is ready for an African-American candidate. Just not Obama, whose policies are much further to the right than the supposed rightist Hillary. His attacking of Hillary from the right is the smartest political maneuver since Bill started triangulating after 1994. It's just hard to see why this is "idealistic." When Barack went to Harlem recently, he met with only Al Sharpton, because all the major black leaders have endorsed Hillary. Oh, yeah, and he had that "secret" lunch -- but the pictures mysteriously got out -- with Bloomberg. Obama's a good candidate, but his campaign is a bunch of hard-boiled Chicago pols, and they're getting away with a lot of low blows, including full cooperation with the mentally unstable Chris Matthews.

Dave, Tn
So you think that the Republican party IS diverse? Thanks for researching my home town. Yes, it is a very white city. However, Martin Luther King Jr. had Bobby Kennedy. So I don't see any problem in pointing out that Alan Keyes is a joke.

Cedric, I'm a Chicagoan who became very familiar with Alan Keyes during his run against Obama for US senate from my district.

It would be nice to think that a Black Republican would be thoughtful and courageous and conservative.  Unfortunately, in this case it's just not so.  Alan Keyes really is completely insane.  I can guarantee that every other GOP candidate would rather not have him anywhere within 1000 miles of the debate.  Further, Democrats LOVE the fact that Keyes is going to be in the GOP debate.  It will remind everyone that Keyes' sort of fundamentalist craziness is endemic in the Republican Party.  The only thing worse for the GOP than having Keyes on the dias at the debate would be if Larry Craig and Mark Foley were the moderators.

Desperate: No,in fact,it is not. You forget that GOP African American candidate Steele of Maryland was able to get a federal court sanction of the DSSC after Schumer[D-NY]stupidly sent his minions to unearth Steeles credit records which were then publically displayed at the height of the mid-term primaries. Dirty tricks,played by white liberals on conservative blacks.[who are dumb and racist enough to actually believe that blacks cannot attain  conservative credentials on their own,ushering in verbage such as ''uncle tom'',and ''token'',which will get them an extra plate at the next Klan BBQ].

I think Mark Murray is hot!

Yeah... I'm an avid follower of politics in general, watching most all of the debates and coverage to this point, and when I saw Alan Keyes I had to Google him because I had no idea who he was. From what I've seen he is a total joke and I agree with you, Jim.

P.S. The reason I haven't heard of him isn't ignorance- I'm 18 so I was like 10 last time he ran for president and 14 when he ran for senate against Obama.

I don't get why he would waste money even running--same with Ron Paul. That 4 million raised in one day is 4 million WASTED

One thing for sure: As that video he did in 2000 shows, Alan Keyes is the best crowd-surfer in the GOP field.

I think Alan Keyes being in this debate is a complete mystery and utterly useless, like a few other fringe candidates.

Alan Keyes is not new to running for president.  I think this is his second or third go-around.  He actually is a very intelligent and interesting individual, but his candidacy is something of a joke, whatever it's purpose.

However, I don't think he is being "trotted out" to serve some token gesture to African-Americans and African-Americans certainly know enough about him to realize that he's not a serious candidate.  

While Desperate certainly doesn't intend to do so, Desperate is on the edge of insulting African-Americans by implying they need to be informed by Desperate's opinion.

From most of what I've seen of Alan Keyes, he does things to suit his own purposes.

Besides, the Republican Party and administration has had far more high profile tokens of diversity, like Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Alberto Gonzalez, Elaine Chao, Norman Mineta and others.  Some even serve dual diversity purposes by being African-American or Asian and women at the same time.  There is even that token Supreme Court judge that everyone knows is a Republican plant.

Sorry, Desperate, my opinion is that you are fabricating a conspiracy where one does not exist.  But that's just my opinion.

Has anyone asked Hillary point blank about her drug and alcohol use as a young person?  If so, did she model her answer after Bill's, Barack's or come up with something on her own, assuming she answered in the first place?
Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:38 PM)


I don't think it has ever been an issue of concern for Hillary.  As far as I am aware, OBAMA made an issue out of his drug use by discussing it in his book.  I don't think that is a mistake - I think it is refreshing that he didn't feel the need to hide it or make excuses.  Being honest about it, however, doesn't make it right.  

To richard what debate are you watching?
Alan Keyes intelligent?
He sounds like a complete loon. Are you watching or not? It's okay to admit it if you aren't watching.
Everyone agrees that Alan sounds like a loon. You don't have to defend him.

As for this despicable piece of trash which you wrote...
'While Desperate certainly doesn't intend to do so, Desperate is on the edge of insulting African-Americans by implying they need to be informed by Desperate's opinion.'

I demand that you take this back. Your logic, which you even admit, is flimsy. How dare you make some random assumption about me. Yes, I've admitted that I'm white, but what does that have to do with anything. I'll have you know that I've read Malcom X's biography front to back and every single thing ever publicly said or written by Dr. King. For you to assert that I'm a racist is inexcusable.

Not once do I infer that African Americans are unintelligent or that they need to be informed of my opinions. You suggest that I did. Let the record show the truth.

Who is race baiting now, Richard? I know we are supposed to be advesaries, but this is too low and I will not stand for it. Your post was pitiful and beneath even you.

List 1 thing Hilary has accomplished for you.

So they let Alan Keyes in to provide comic relief?

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