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Title: Chuck Baldwin Defeats Alan Keyes for Constitution Party Nomination
Source: The LRC Blog
URL Source: http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/020719.html
Published: Apr 26, 2008
Author: Eric A. Garris
Post Date: 2008-04-26 14:33:38 by James Deffenbach
Keywords: None
Views: 1930
Comments: 201

Chuck Baldwin Defeats Alan Keyes for Constitution Party Nomination Posted by Eric A. Garris at April 26, 2008 10:11 AM

The Constitution Party just overwhelmingly defeated the warmongering neocon Alan Keyes by nominating Chuck Baldwin, 383 to 125.

Last night, CP founder Howard Phillips strongly denounced Keyes as a warmonger, neocon, and egomanic. Phillips was subsequently attacked by Jim Clymer, the CP national chairman.

In spite of Keyes bringing in a lot of delegates, the CP remained true to their anti-interventionist views and rejected Keyes.

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#107. To: FOH (#103)

He may think he's not Establishment. President Garfield probably didn't think he was, either.

buckeye  posted on  2008-04-26   19:00:37 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#108. To: buckeye (#107) (Edited)

He may think he's not Establishment. President Garfield probably didn't think he was, either.

buck...

Bob Barr should be getting the Libertarian nod.

Nader, Independent? Jackson, Green? Hitlery, CommieCrat? McNAUer, PubbieCrat?

I will be surprised if Ron Paul 'endorses' anyone...should be Chuck Baldwin if he does IMO.

Baldwin/Paul 2008!


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:02:50 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#109. To: FOH (#26)

*Chuck Baldwin President 2008*

good lord. that will teach me to read the thread first. (blush)

christine  posted on  2008-04-26   19:03:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#110. To: christine (#109)

How was your day there sunshine? ;)


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:04:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#111. To: buckeye (#100) (Edited)

It also seems that the powers that be have a much tighter control than a single President can change.

That's another reason I would like to see Ron Paul as prresident. I never harbored any illusions about his being able to undo every cockamamie law passed since 1914, but I can't help but chuckle when I think of AEI staffers heads semi-spontaneously exploding, in harmony.

And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot

Dakmar  posted on  2008-04-26   19:05:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#112. To: FOH (#106)

did you check to make everyone who joins it co owners?

christine  posted on  2008-04-26   19:05:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#113. To: christine (#112) (Edited)

did you check to make everyone who joins it co owners?

HELP?! [edit: I think I just figured it out and made all subscribers co-owners or such]


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:08:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#114. To: FOH (#108)

Bob Barr should be getting the Libertarian nod.

Barr was big-time drug warrior in the 90's, I'd vote for Ralph Nader first.

And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot

Dakmar  posted on  2008-04-26   19:08:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#115. To: FOH (#95)

That's my prayer...

If good people will stand up and do the right thing just once!

Enough Christian Socialism! Enough UNconstitutional governance! Enough Warfare-Welfare State-Police State, Enough PHONY 'Wars', such as the War on Some Drugs!

Enough EMPIRE!!!

B 4 it is TOO late .

Say "NO!" to Juan Hitlobama!

From your mouth to God's ear as they say.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton

James Deffenbach  posted on  2008-04-26   19:08:41 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#116. To: Dakmar (#111)

Spontaneous combustion might be observed in more than one "institute." But they'd have an answer for neutralizing the power of his presidency.

buckeye  posted on  2008-04-26   19:09:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#117. To: Dakmar (#114)

Barr was big-time drug warrior in the 90's, I'd vote for Ralph Nader first.

I just can't get down with watermelons. I thought about it for about a moment...got ill.


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:10:54 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#118. To: FOH (#117)

And just what the heck is that supposed to mean?

And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot

Dakmar  posted on  2008-04-26   19:13:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#119. To: FOH (#77)

I hearby move that 4um link to the Constitution Party and throw our support officially from Ron Paul and the GOP and to Chuck Baldwin and a REAL 3rd Party for Constitutional-Conservative-minded governance! Banners, the whole works! Can I get a 2nd? an Amen?!

yes, great idea!

christine  posted on  2008-04-26   19:14:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#120. To: Dakmar, FOH (#118)

Green on the outside, red on the inside.

buckeye  posted on  2008-04-26   19:14:44 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#121. To: buckeye (#116)

Spontaneous combustion might be observed in more than one "institute." But they'd have an answer for neutralizing the power of his presidency.

Screw them, it's too late, now I want a Unitarian president, I think.

And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot

Dakmar  posted on  2008-04-26   19:17:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#122. To: buckeye, FOH (#120)

Green on the outside, red on the inside.

Of course. I'd have known that had I not been drinking heavily all day.

And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot

Dakmar  posted on  2008-04-26   19:19:03 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#123. To: Dakmar (#122)

One reason I supported Ron Paul was that he was circumspect regarding his strong religious beliefs.

buckeye  posted on  2008-04-26   19:21:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#124. To: buckeye (#123)

If God chooses to spare the nation awhile longer, let Him I say...brb.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BUCKEYE !!


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:23:38 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#125. To: buckeye (#123) (Edited)

One reason I respect Dr Paul is that he doesn't make an issue of his religious beliefs.

There's nothing creepier than watching someone like Newt Gingrich lead a prayer vigil.

And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot

Dakmar  posted on  2008-04-26   19:24:28 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#126. To: FOH (#124)

Good to see you, too. I'm also glad to see that you've got a cause to support. I'm looking forward to learning more about Baldwin from your posts.

buckeye  posted on  2008-04-26   19:26:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#127. To: christine (#119)

yes, great idea!

Let's see what Baldwin2008's site looks like and where they post it !! Should be soon...


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:38:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#128. To: buckeye (#126)

#9 up above would be a good place to start!

More Chuck Baldwin


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:40:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#129. To: Dakmar, buckeye (#122)

Green on the outside, red on the inside.

Of course. I'd have known that had I not been drinking heavily all day.

(watermelon)

Heheheh, sometimes they're just pink on the inside, but if they sit out in the sun too long they do get red/ripe...


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   19:41:05 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#130. To: FOH (#77)

Can I get a 2nd? an Amen?!

Here.

Barry Obama -- In your heart, you know he's wrong.

Old Fud  posted on  2008-04-26   20:58:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#131. To: Old Fud (#130)

McCain Madness


by Chuck Baldwin
February 8, 2008




A few weeks before Super Tuesday, my friend Howard Phillips asked me who I thought the Republican Presidential nominee would be. I predicted John McCain. With the results of Super Tuesday now history, most political pundits are also predicting that the Arizona senator will gain the Republican nomination for President. And with Mitt Romney now out of the race, McCain is all but assured the nomination. One did not need to be a seer to figure this one out.

For one thing, President George W. Bush all but destroyed whatever conservative influence was left in the GOP. Peggy Noonan is right about that.
(See http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120120952618514493.html )

Furthermore, the capitulation and compromise of principle by the Religious Right has also significantly sealed the death warrant of conservatism within the GOP. For the sake of not offending George Bush or losing whatever seat at the table the various leaders of the Religious Right felt they had, their spirit of resistance waned to the point that the very name "Christian Conservative" has lost all meaning, not to mention power.

As a result, Republicans have come to accept Big Government, runaway federal spending, the Welfare State, the Warfare State, the Nanny State, empire-building, gargantuan trade and budget deficits, warrantless eavesdropping, the loss of 4th Amendment rights, ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

Therefore, how could anyone expect the vast majority of Republican voters to suddenly rediscover a huge commitment of conviction to conservative principles? Add to that question the fact that there is only one true conservative/constitutionalist who made it to the Republican primaries: Congressman Ron Paul. And virtually the entire media and political establishment pummeled Congressman Paul to the point that his limited success in the race can be categorized as nothing short of miraculous.

Make no mistake about it: the establishment wants one of its own to succeed George Bush. In order for that to happen, they must manipulate the primaries to ensure that, no matter who wins in November, one of their fellow elitists will still wield power in Washington, D.C. On the Democratic side, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama fit the bill. And on the Republican side, John McCain is the ultimate insider.

A long-standing member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), John McCain will pursue the goals and ambitions of the globalists with a vengeance. As Pat Buchanan said recently, "John McCain will make Dick Cheney look like Gandhi." Buchanan is right on with that prediction.

Despite a liberal, Big Government track record, many Republican "conservatives" who have always been critical of John McCain are already beginning to warm up to him, feeling that his nomination is inevitable. Include in this list such notables as Grover Norquist, Tony Perkins, and fellow CFR member Richard Land.

Fortunately, not all of the conservative "talking heads" have jumped on the McCain bandwagon. Include in this list: Ann Coulter, who said she would campaign for Hillary Clinton if McCain is the Republican nominee; James Dobson, who said he would never vote for John McCain--no matter what; and Mr. Republican Cheerleader himself, Rush Limbaugh.

Then there is Mike Huckabee: the candidate to whom the evangelical George Bush robots have gravitated. Huckabee is every bit the Big Government liberal that is John McCain. In fact, Huckabee and McCain have developed a very close friendship, according to numerous sources. Many are even predicting that Huckabee will be McCain's running mate, in order to dupe evangelicals into accepting the McCain candidacy. (I have been saying this myself for months.) Even Rob Schenck said this about Huckabee: "After careful and prayerful consideration, I have concluded that an evangelical vote for Mike Huckabee is a vote for John McCain, and a vote for John McCain will be a disaster for this country."

But just who is this man, John McCain?

John McCain's father and grandfather were both admirals in the U.S. Navy. John was schooled in one of the most elite boarding schools in America. He graduated from the Naval Academy where he ranked 894th out of 899 students.

According to Joel Skousen's World Affairs Brief, February 1, 2008, "[John McCain] used nepotism to get ahead: When he was rejected by the National War College, he used his father's contacts with the Secretary of the Navy to make them reconsider." Skousen also notes that "McCain cheated on his first wife after she had a severe accident. He then divorced her and married his multi-millionaire mistress, whose daddy bought McCain a spot in the Congress."

It has also never been explained why the son and grandson of Navy admirals would not rise to the rank of Admiral himself. (He exited the Navy as a Captain.) Was it his numerous adulterous affairs or his violent temper? Or both?

John McCain's biographer Robert Timberg chronicles McCain's numerous sexual affairs with subordinates both when he was an Executive Officer and later Squadron Commander. Obviously, such fraternization is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Skousen and many others have chronicled McCain's violent temper. Even as a young man, McCain was "a strikingly violent man." Timberg quotes McCain describing his propensity for violence, even as a youngster, saying, "At the smallest provocation I would go off into a mad frenzy, and then suddenly crash to the floor unconscious."

McCain says his vicious temper was transformed after being held as a Prisoner of War by the North Vietnamese. There is no doubt that John McCain was tortured by his Vietnamese captors, but it also seems clear, by both the written and oral records of many, that McCain spent the bulk of his captivity collaborating with his captors.

It is more than interesting that former POW John McCain would use the power of his senate seat to stop the investigation and pursuit of American MIAs in Vietnam. What would possess a former naval officer to do such a thing? In fact, a group of Vietnam veterans has uploaded a web page dedicated to exposing the truth regarding John McCain's record on this matter. See it at http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

That John McCain still has a vicious temper is well known. We can all remember him singing "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran," to the tune of the Beach Boys hit song "Barbara Ann." He also said North Korea should be threatened with "extinction." He often boasts of America's 100-year war with Iraq and talks of pursuing enemies "to the gates of hell." There is no doubt, John McCain is one mad man.

Furthermore, McCain's position on a host of issues is extremely problematic for the future of America. On immigration, John McCain joined with Ted Kennedy to sponsor an amnesty bill for illegal aliens. He voted to give social security dollars to illegal aliens. His Hispanic Outreach Director, Juan Hernandez, is a dual American-Mexican citizen widely known for his "Mexico First" declarations.

He repeatedly voted against the Bush tax cuts. He co-authored the McCain/Feingold campaign finance bill that was ruled to be an unconstitutional infringement of the First Amendment. Regarding the Second Amendment, the president of the NRA called John McCain the "worst 2nd Amendment candidate," and Gun Owners of America gives McCain a grade of F-.

John McCain co-sponsored the energy tax bill (along with his senate buddy Joe Lieberman), which would dramatically increase the cost of gasoline. He supports radical global warming legislation. He joined with Democrats (Gang of 14) to block the attempt to confirm conservative, strict constructionist judges. In 2000, he called Christian leaders "agents of intolerance." He has received the endorsement of the pro-abortion Republicans for Choice Political Action Committee. And let's not forget that John McCain was ringleader of the infamous Keating Five ethical scandal, which cost taxpayers more than $160 billion.

Consider, too, the top donors to John McCain's campaign. One will find many of the same multinational corporations that support Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton also supporting John McCain. Include in this list Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, and JP Morgan Chase & Co. (By comparison, the top contributors to Ron Paul's campaign are [in order]: 1. Members of the U.S. Army, 2. Members of the U.S. Navy, 3. Members of the U.S. Air Force.) Source: http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.asp?id=N00005906&cycle=2008

(And, in case one is interested, the same big Arkansas conglomerates that supported Bill Clinton also support Mike Huckabee.) Source: http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.asp?id=N00007539&cycle=2008

Even New York Post D.C. Bureau Chief Charles Hurt wrote, "[I]f history is any guide, the McCain we've seen of late on the campaign trail is the most conservative McCain we'll ever see."

To vote for John McCain is madness!

Therefore, both social and fiscal conservatives--along with evangelical Christians--will have no one from either the Republican or Democrat parties for whom to vote this November. What, then, will they do? To vote for the "lesser of two evils" is no longer a legitimate option. There is no lesser in a McCain versus Clinton/Obama race. In fact, Ann Coulter might be right that in such a race, Hillary is the lesser of two evils.

What, then, are we to do?

First, Ron Paul should abandon his bid for the Republican nomination and declare himself a candidate for the Constitution Party nomination. If he did, he would doubtless receive the nomination and his campaign would continue to build excitement, donations, and momentum right up to November. (Ron Paul's supporters should do everything they can to influence Dr. Paul to shake off the dust of the GOP and lead his fellow constitutionalists on a mighty crusade for a Third Party victory!)

Should Ron Paul decide to remain in the McCain-led GOP, conservatives and constitutionalists should rally around the most viable option available to them. And that option is to support the Constitution Party nominee, whoever he is. (They will select their nominee in April in Kansas City, Missouri.) As the nation's third largest political party, the CP has the potential to be on all 50 state ballots and it is absolutely certain that the CP will nominate a constitutionalist candidate in the similitude of Ron Paul.

One thing is certain: with John McCain as the GOP standard-bearer, Christian conservatives and constitutionalists cannot vote for either the Republican or Democrat candidate this year. Staying home and not voting is an admission of defeat and should be dismissed out-of-hand.

2008 just might be the year to break the two-party stranglehold on American politics and vote for an independent conservative constitutionalist. And the platform and vehicle for this revolution already exists in the Constitution Party. ( http://www.constitutionparty.com/ )

*If you enjoyed this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, please send your check or Money Order to:

Chuck Baldwin Live
P.O. Box 37070

Pensacola, Florida 32526

© Chuck Baldwin


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   21:04:34 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#132. To: James Deffenbach (#0)

Chuck has my support. He was the only public Christian voice to make the case for RP. If others had followed their consciences, RP might be the front runner. Instead, they are sheepishly lining up behind McAnus, and their flocks follow as though McAnus will do their bidding. Pitiful.

Barry Obama -- In your heart, you know he's wrong.

Old Fud  posted on  2008-04-26   21:06:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#133. To: Old Fud (#132)

I'm a stone atheist and even I would rather see a truly faithful man like Baldwin elected to high office than these evil poseurs we're inevitably stuck with. On the other hand, Hillary lecturing me about the sin of smoking a doob while she's laying waste to Iran is sure to make many more people sit up and take notice.

And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot

Dakmar  posted on  2008-04-26   21:19:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#134. To: Dakmar (#133)

On the other hand, Hillary lecturing me about the sin of smoking a doob while she's laying waste to Iran is sure to make many more people sit up and take notice.

I would hope that would be the case, but on both 'sides' the masses are freaking dug-in-brain-dead.

IMHO, Baldwin *is not* on a theocracy rampage. He has simply shined the light on the stone cold truth, which is not inconsistent with his own Christian beliefs. He's a limited gub man, because that's the only way freedoms are preserved, religious and otherwise. Whether or not he may pray to Jesus publicly, such will not be be the straw that breaks the country's back.

Barry Obama -- In your heart, you know he's wrong.

Old Fud  posted on  2008-04-26   22:25:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#135. To: who knows what evil, Dakmar (#29)

I also think Paul Craig Roberts would make a wonderful POTUS.

Ooooooo...Baldwin/Roberts? The mind boggles...

cool

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

robin  posted on  2008-04-26   22:49:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#136. To: FOH (#88)

Ohhhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhhh... pretty!!! :) !!!

Peppa  posted on  2008-04-26   23:08:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#137. To: James Deffenbach (#90)

One mentioned that unless McCain recieves enough delegates, the nomination process could wind up in court. Yeah, and wouldn't that just be a "tarble thang"? ahaha.

Sho' wud. LOL!

Peppa  posted on  2008-04-26   23:11:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#138. To: James Deffenbach (#0)

I have a huge problem with Chuck so I won't be voting for him. Might vote for Barr, still not sure yet.

God is always good!

RickyJ  posted on  2008-04-26   23:14:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#139. To: Peppa (#136)


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:17:39 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#140. To: RickyJ (#138)

I don't know that you could go wrong with Barr...he sure made a turnaround.


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:18:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#141. To: Old Fud (#134) (Edited)

Constitution Party National Platform


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:20:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#142. To: FOH (#139)

A smiley face!

Peppa  posted on  2008-04-26   23:24:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#143. To: Peppa (#142)

Ain't that special!


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:28:40 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#144. To: James Deffenbach (#0)

This just in, courtesy of the Missouri Constitution Party:

KANSAS CITY, MO–”At its national convention, Pastor Chuck Baldwin has accepted the Constitution Party’s nomination for President of the United States.

“Pastor Baldwin is a minister, author, radio talk show host, and syndicated columnist. He was also the Constitution Party’s 2004 Vice-Presidential candidate.

“To see Pastor Baldwin’s stands on the issues (including pro-life and pro-family), as well as more thorough biographical information, click here.

“The party’s vice-presidential candidate will be nominated at the convention later today.”

[STLtoday.com] At KC convention, Constitution Party picks pastor for president

04/26/2008 2:30 pm


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:40:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#145. To: All (#144)

Chuck Baldwin Wins Constitution Party Nomination Posted on 04.26.08 by Austin Cassidy @ 5:28 pm

Pastor Chuck Baldwin, and former 2004 VP candidate, won the Constitution Party’s nomination for Presidential today. He defeated former Ambassador Alan Keyes by a margin of 384 to 126 delegates.

This is not much of a surprise, considering that Howard Phillips, the founder of the Constitution Party, gave a speech to the convention yesterday blasting Keyes as a political opportunist.

Keyes seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t take losing very well. It wouldn’t surprise me if we now see him try and form his own party, run as an independent, or go after another nomination - maybe from the nearly-defunct Reform Party.

No word yet on who the Constitution Party will nominate for Vice-President.

Keyes and his minions sliced up Ron Paul, now they're already on the warpath for the Constitution Party...what a bunch of loons.

This should be fun...


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:44:17 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#146. To: All (#145)

Constitutionally Contentious

By W. James Antle III


Published 4/21/2008 12:08:30 AM

In the grand tradition of the Boston Tea Party, Tax Day is as good a time as any to begin a struggle for independence. Perhaps that's why perennial candidate Alan Keyes picked April 15 to announce his departure from the Republican Party, though a cheeky blogger for the Los Angeles Times had a slightly different take: "Alan Keyes officially leaves GOP and hardly anyone notices."

Keyes certainly didn't have a noticeable impact on the 2008 Republican presidential primaries, where his highly unorthodox campaign made both his 43-point loss to Barack Obama in the 2004 Illinois Senate race and his 42-point defeat by Barbara Mikulski during a 1992 Maryland Senate run seem like successes by comparison. Keyes spent much of his time campaigning in Texas, where he won just 0.62 percent of the vote. His best showing was in the Kansas caucus, where he received 1.5 percent. Keyes's bizarre performance at the Des Moines Register debate before the Iowa caucuses was the first -- and last -- time he made news during his GOP run.

This week, Keyes is expected to make a bid for the Constitution Party's presidential nomination, which will be determined at the party's national convention in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday and Saturday. "If Dr. Keyes's positions on the issues square up with the CP platform we'd be thrilled to have him represent us and offer Americans a choice that the other 'Big Box' parties don't," says Constitution Party communications director Mary Starrett. But there is no guarantee that Keyes will be finding electoral success in his new party either.

At first glance, Keyes ought to be a good fit for the Constitution Party. Both are unapologetically pro-life and animated by Christian conservative issues. Both favor the abolition of the income tax. Keyes has in the past addressed the party's gatherings, hobnobbed with its leaders, and championed many of their political causes. But the Constitution Party is predominantly paleoconservative and Keyes isn't exactly.

Many Constitution Party members are former Pat Buchanan Republicans. Veteran leader and three-time presidential candidate Howard Phillips thrice sought to have Buchanan run on the party's national ticket. The bad blood between the Buchanan brigades and the Keyesters dates back to the 1996 Republican primaries, when many of the former saw Keyes as a stalking horse out to siphon pro-life, socially conservative votes away from Buchanan. Keyes took 7 percent in the Iowa caucuses, for example, where Bob Dole only beat Buchanan by three points.

Other party members point to philosophical differences with Keyes. Trent Hill of the Louisiana Constitution Party told me in an e-mail that Keyes "is a good man" who will be "respected and welcomed by all within the party." But he expressed concerns about Keyes's "interventionist leanings" when it comes to foreign policy. "Also at issue, especially with some of the more philosophically astute delegates, is that Keyes is a friend of William Kristol's, a student of [Harvey] Mansfield's, and a follower of [Leo] Strauss,'" Hill wrote. "As I'm sure you're aware, this is a neoconservative crowd, and the neoconservatives are the diametric opposites of the paleoconservatives (at least within the conservative spectrum)."


THE BIGGEST issue separating Keyes from the Constitution Party is the Iraq war. Keyes has said that he would not have picked Iraq as the next target in the war on terror, but supported the president's policy in debates with Obama four years ago and would not withdraw U.S. troops today. His new party, however favors a noninterventionist foreign policy and opposes the war. This is not an insignificant difference of opinion.

Ricardo Davis, the state party chairman for Georgia, says any attempt to abandon the antiwar stance will go over about as well as the New Coke. "What if I was the new CEO of a midsized company and decided embark on a strategy to sell a 'me too' product that negates the company's unique sales proposition?" he asks. "What if that sales proposition is held dear by most of the sales and marketing management in the company? What do you think will happen to that company as I try to change the company's direction? A train wreck would look prettier!"

Some of the people Keyes might bring with him into the Constitution Party aren't budging in their support for the war, either. A poster on Keyes's web forum argues that "the CP expresses the same naive view as my long time congressional hero Ron Paul did" and questions why a Christian political party wouldn't "understand the nature of the enemy."

Is Keyes cooked? "What you run into are a lot of single-issue pro-lifers who view Alan Keyes as a positive name," says Red Phillips, a paleoconservative who opposes Keyes's nomination. Phillips also worries that other party members will want a well known presidential candidate. "There's talk about us crossing the million vote threshold if we nominate Keyes," he says. "I don't think that's very realistic, since not even Pat Buchanan got a million votes [as the Reform Party nominee] in 2000."

Chuck Baldwin, a pastor and columnist who was the Constitution Party's 2004 vice presidential nominee, has said he will accept the nomination if offered. Baldwin is unlikely to carry his party across the 200,000 vote threshold, much less one million. If neither Ron Paul nor "Ten Commandments" Judge Roy Moore are open to being drafted, Keyes would be the biggest name in the race -- the best political position he's been in since winning a 14-candidate Maryland GOP primary in 1992 -- and yet he's still no shoo-in.

Last Thursday, Keyes took part in a conference call with state Constitution Party leaders. Instead of smoothing over their differences on the Iraq war and other issues, at least one participant remembers Keyes being more interested in talking than listening. "I appreciate that Alan speaks his mind," says Davis. "But he is seeking our nomination, not the other way around."

During Keyes's first presidential campaign, Rich Lowry observed, "His unmatched skill in impassioned oratory is accompanied by a deficit in more mundane political abilities, such as listening, glad-handing, and gauging his effect on those around him." That was the talented Dr. Keyes's downfall in the Republican Party. The problem may have followed him into the Constitution Party as well.


W. James Antle III is associate editor of The American Spectator.

American Spectator


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:53:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

#147. To: All (#146)

Freakerville Update: alanoids go into meltdown...more to come

  • Constitution Party stunner: Chuck Baldwin KOs firebrand Alan Keyes

    Saturday, April 26, 2008 7:34:17 PM · by deport

    · 75 replies · 1,231+ views

    KCStar Prime Buzz ^ | 4-26-08
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    Alan Keyes Archives ^ | April 25, 2008
    The link to audio of the speech is reproduced in post #2. It's 22 minutes long.

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    Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:04:17 AM · by Between the Lines

    · 50 replies · 798+ views

    St. Joseph News-Press ^ | April 24, 2008 | Ken Newton
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    Wednesday, April 23, 2008 11:19:59 PM · by Kurt Evans

    · 16 replies · 482+ views

    Fox Television (Kansas City) ^ | April 23, 2008

  • CHUCK BALDWIN: ONLY A MIRACLE CAN SAVE AMERICA NOW

    Thursday, April 17, 2008 9:44:24 PM · by claudiustg · 150 replies

    · 2,800+ views

    Constitution Party ^ | 15Apr08 | CHUCK BALDWIN
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  • Alan Keyes Press conference - 04/15/08 - Hazleton, PA - Live Thread

    Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:42:28 PM · by CounterCounterCulture · 134 replies · 1,581+ views

    alankeyes.com ^
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  • Alan Keyes to announce break with GOP in Hazleton, PA

    Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:26:43 PM · by Kurt Evans · 118 replies · 2,088+ views

    Alan Keyes for President ^ | April 13, 2008

    Former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes has chosen April 15 to make a major announcement of his intentions, following indications he has broken with the GOP. A life-long Republican who has increasingly cited the party's failure to match conservative rhetoric with actual performance in the political arena, Keyes said he will reveal his reasons for departing the GOP at a press conference scheduled for 8:30 pm ET, at the Best Western Genetti Inn in Hazleton, PA. The event will be video-streamed live at Keyes' website, www.AlanKeyes.com. Keyes added that he is looking to the Constitution Party as a possible home...


FOH  posted on  2008-04-26   23:58:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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