Bzzz… on Keyes
by WonkoKevin
Wonkosphere is pleased to welcome a new-comer to the race–Alan Keyes! Always interesting, Keyes vies for the religious and social conservatives, as is likely to liven up the Republican debates possibly as soon as this Monday.
Here is Keyes’ statement:
PARSHALL: Yes. Alan, when you look at the field of Republican contenders, is there a standout in your mind, and who among that group of individuals can carry that banner forward that says, ultimately, this is a question of moral courage?
KEYES: Well, no, there isn’t a standout, and that’s not a comment about individual personalities, or my own feeling about individuals — some of whom I greatly respect, and admire, and have affection for — but I just have been watching and following and haven’t heard what is needed, and I think I’m like a lot of folks, who have just looked at it and been unmoved, because they’re not hearing that which is the key kernel of truth that must with courage be presented to our people.
And, some time back, I got a call. You’ve been talking, I’m sure, about the Values Voter Debate.
PARSHALL: Absolutely.
KEYES: And that’s happening on Monday. And, some time back, I got a call about some kind of participation in it, and I expressed some reluctance, because I didn’t want to be giving credence to a process that, I think, isn’t really offering a choice to the people of this country. And Janet Folger, who I was talking to, is one of the folks who has really been instrumental in putting this together.
She said to me, “Wow! I’m, you know — what do you want? If you want, I’ll build you a podium.” And I said, “What do you mean by that?”
She said, “We are building these podiums for candidates. If you want, I’ll build you a podium.”
And I was really taken aback at this, at first. You all know I’ve been out on the hustings a number of times, and been pretty well beaten up. It has an effect on you, after a while, and it did on me, to be sure.
But the more I thought about it and prayed over it, the more it seemed to me that the one thing I’ve always been called to do is just raise the standard — not to worry about anything else, but to make sure that, clearly articulated, there is the sense of this national standard of our allegiance to God and His authority that has been the foundation stone of our nation’s life. And so I finally called her back and said, “Build me a podium.”
And so, I will be participating in the Values Voter Debate on Monday as a candidate, and I will be trying my best — as I forever have, in the course of the years that I have been involved at this level in politics — simply to state, without regard for anything else, that which raises the standard of our allegiance to our Creator, God, and challenges people, in every area where we must make decisions, to understand and apply that, and also challenges our people of faith and challenges our citizens.
Good luck Alan!
