I was a member of the Constitution Party before Alan Keyes, and will be after. If Alan had won the nomination, I would have gladly backed him and worked on his behalf. I have even taken some flack from those in my party for that stance. Alan Keyes is a great American and the loudest voice for the pro-life movement. However, I will fully support our nominee, Chuck Baldwin. Chuck Baldwin is a patriot and a man who would do us all well in the White House. I have a deep respect and admiration for the man. I think it would be best for Alan Keyes to do the same. Listen, let’s be honest. Something has to be said for the fact that Alan Keyes never joined the CP. Why would a party reject one of their own candidates for a man who has shown no party loyalty or even membership? This is our party, not the party of Dr. Keyes. Had Dr. Keyes joined us officially, perhaps things would have been different. Instead, Keyes supporters marched in, having joined little over a week ago and immediatly tried changing our platform. What else did you think would happen? It felt like our party was undergoing a take-over attempt. It could have been handled differently.
In the past, Dr. Keyes has endorsed President Bush after loosing the GOP nomination. After loosing the CP nomination, Dr. Keyes ought to endorse our nominee – a friend of Dr. Keyes and a Dr. Keyes would find more common ground on than with George Bush. It would be the principled thing to do.
Yet, with all of that having been said, the Constitution Party owes Dr. Keyes a very large apology. He was treated as an enemy instead of the friend and ally he is. There is no excuse for this. My party acted in a most shameful way. I am a bit embarrassed at the actions of some, people who I would otherwise respect and love. Yet, they must be called on the carpet like anyone else.
In an effort to “purify” our party, I fear we have alienated our party. The Bible tells us to preach the truth in love. We are guilty of violating that principle. We are told in Scripture to the best of our ability to live peaceably with all men. We are guilty of voilating that principle. Where was the debate over topics of disagreement? When did we ever try to convince men through reasoned argument? Why did we allow this situation to get so out of hand so fast! Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Why were there not more chairmen willing to met with the man first, before forming bias and opinion?
Only less than two years ago did I attend a Constitution Party National Committee meeting in Concord, NH. This was my first real expsure to the Constitution Party. There at that meeting, I heard Dr. Keyes give a rousing address to the delegates which was met with cheers and much applause. Even Howard Phillips could be found clapping. Keyes would be asked to appear in several other CP meetings accross the country. We all cheered and welcomed his threats to leave the GOP. Yet, then, when he actually left, he was met by character assination and apprehension. Two years ago he was a friend and ally. Today, he is our enemy. What in the world happened?
We have turned friends into foes. This will only serve to hurt us in November. We need every vote we can get. If we alienate our base, how can we ever expect to count on support from others. Can we stop the infighting, please! Constitution Party, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Some healing does need to take place. Dr. Baldwin was very gracious in his acceptance speech. He welcomed Dr. Keyes and his supporters into his campaign and back into our fold. I think that is a great first step. A second step would be an official apology. Who will be the first in our party to be brave enough to do so?
Because of Grace,
Kevin Thompson,
Rom 1:15
Poster Comment:
The CP would have gone the way of the Reform Party had they taken on the neocon alanoids...from Alan to his national campaign manager on down they're quite a sorry group. The CP Executive Committee invited AK, AK never even bothered JOINING the CP and within a week the alanoids try to rewrite the CP National Platform. I'm very glad that Howard Phillips used his personal speaking time to reinforce what a mistake the CP would make by nominating AK...when I hear AK talk about God these days, I hear a "cha ching!" in the background.
