Here's Hopin' He Flies Off The Handle

By Sam Bakken in News on Oct 21, 2004 7:13PM

It will be discourse not fisticuffs tonight, however, who knows with Alan "The Gentleman" Keyes (can't get enough of that picture). The second debate between Barack Obama and Alan Keyes, candidates for U.S. Senate in Illinois, is tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. on ABC 7.

The debate is sponsored by both ABC 7 Chicago and the League of Women Voters of Illinois. The national League of Women Voters used to sponsor the presidential debates when they (the debates not women voters) were worth something; before the Democratic and Republican parties brought on the Commission of Presidential Debates as screenwriters in 1988.

So while this senate debate may not make any difference in the election, the League is involved, and the candidates will be able to question each other, so there should be some good questions asked. That could prove pretty interesting. And let's be honest, Keyes is nutty but articulate, and Obama is articulate so a discussion on the issues of the day between two learned men may teach you something. Or maybe Keyes will talk more about Jesus (again can't get enough).

Even the Illinois GOP seems to realize that Keyes is basically out of the running. They failed to include his name in mailings they sent out recently heralding "Your 2004 Republican Team". The mailing included information on President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Republican candidates in congressional and legislative races, but no mention of "The Gent". Is "The Gentleman" working? Can we call him "The Gent" from now on and you'll know to whom we're referring?

Both sides say it wasn't on purpose because Keyes planned to send out his own literature. Uhm, OK, but it probably couldn't have hurt to still have Keyes' name on it. Oh and by the way, did you know that Keyes thinks the separation of church and state is a lie? Of course it fits his M.O. (and we drew our own conclusions), but he has actually said it. Labeling part of the U.S. Constitution as a lie probably (hopefully) isn't the way to get elected to office.