Thank heaven for ficus plants
| September 1st, 2004Alan Keyes’s antics seems to have created a new political strategy for at least one GOP leader. Hiding behind ficus plants!
The Chicago Tribune describes this recent encounter between Illinois GOP party chairwoman Judy Barr Topinka and Alan Keyes:
Based on his more recent rhetoric, I predict we will soon see national leaders ducking behind ficus plants to avoid Keyes. Why? Keyes seems to be intent of publicly criticizing the Vice President’s daughter. The Chicago Tribune reports:
“Of course she is,” Keyes replied. “That goes by definition. Of course she is.”
Keyes’s rhetoric is likely causing some consternation at the GOP convention, where the leaders have been struggling to convince voters that they are inclusive and welcome gays. 365Gay.com provides OutQ radio host, Michaelangelo Signorile’s, thoughts after the interview:
“At least he’s being honest at a time when George W. Bush and the RNC are trying put on a mask of moderation and compassion,”
As any seasoned candidate might predict, Keyes’s frank statements spawned a flurry of questions. Although for all we know, McCain might have preferred to vanish behind a ficus tree, he did answer questions. The Chicago Tribune reports:
That sounds like the sort of understated non-endorsement one expects from a seasoned politician like McCain.
So far, I haven’t heard any quotes from Cheney. I have to admit, I’m sort of hoping Keyes will ramp up his rhetoric to the point where Dick Cheney gets spitting mad and is tempted to use inappropriate language. But, Cheney is a seasoned politician and he is probably guarding against this danger. I suspect, if Keyes gets anywhere near him, he will duck behind a ficus plant.
September 1st, 2004 at 1:37 pm
The predicted quote from Dick Cheney at The Eye in the Door — a new(ish) blog.
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September 1st, 2004 at 7:37 pm
The alternative is that Keyes’ nasty remarks could allow Bush and Cheney to sound moderate in response, with something like “we believe in the sanctity of the institution of marriage, but we love and respect our gay friends and family members.” I think lucia is right, though, that they will likely avoid comment on Keyes if at all possible.
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September 2nd, 2004 at 6:16 am
I don’t want to fill the lede articles with stuff about Keyes, but it’s fun to watch the fall out. I think GOP leaders, and columnists, are realizing they need to distance themselves from this guy if they don’t want to be sink when he blows a hole in the GOP ship!
Another Republican “endorsement”:
Rod Dreher blogging rrom NRO’s “The Corner”. ALAN KEYES IS A LUNATIC
The Chicago Tribune characterizes Il. GOP party leaders reaction as “ranging from dismay to disgust”.
The Chicago Sun Times also provides coverage of the fall out.
Former GOP governor James Thompson minces no words I think it’s an offense to the political process that we have to suffer a candidate on our ticket who says things like that.
And what about the Il. GOP Chairwoman?
Keyes remarks seem to have been sufficiently over the top to bring Topinka out from behind her ficus plant and call Keyes’ remarks “idiotic” . She appears to be demanding an apology. Also, when Keyes high jacked Dupage County Board Chairman’s podium for an 8 minute speech, Barr Topinka evidently stayed in another room.
(BTW, Even though our politics don’t always align, I like Topinka. Many commented that the ultra-right wing of the party must have overruled her when Keyes got picked. But, party chairs just *can’t* come out and say “I didn’t pick him! Nope! Crazy loon!” I simultaneously feel amusement and sympathy when I hear her trying to avoid saying negative things about Keyes, while also avoiding lying! )
Few will be surprised to hear this from Keyes:. (Apparently in response to the demand for an apology), “In a homosexual relationship, there is nothing implied except the self-fulfillment, contentment and satisfaction of the parties involved in the relationship,” said Keyes, who holds a Ph.D from Harvard University. “That means it is a self-centered, self-fulfilling, selfish relationship that seeks to use the organs intended for procreation for purposes of pleasure. The word pleasure in Greek is hedone and we get the word hedonism from that word.” (Via the sun times.)
Well, thanks for the etymology!
My congressional Rep Judy Bigart (R-Ill) criticized Keyes and said, like US Rep Kirk (R-Ill), she wil lhave to hear more before she can figure out if she’ll endorse Keyes. That’s amazing for a Republican Congress person in Dupage county!
Despite the little lesson in etyomology, Keyes doesn’t seem to consider nuance when selecting his words. I like this one: The heterosexual relationship is haunted by the possibility of the child, “Haunted”. Sounds like a bad thing to me. Alan, you’re a Roman Catholic. You should know party line is ” open to the posiblity” and children are a blessing.
What of Obama?
This comment was written by lucia.Obama, our likely future US Senator, evidently joked with the press. “I miss you all. Everybody’s following around the other guy all the time. He’s so much more fun.” (via the Chicago tribune.)
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