Latest news on the GOP's attempts to find a candidate to run against Obama:
"Illinois Republican leaders on Tuesday neared the end of their frustrating search for a candidate in the U.S. Senate race, selecting two African-Americans as finalists for the party's nomination to face Democrat Barack Obama, who also is black.
Following a meeting that lasted more than seven hours, the Illinois Republican State Central Committee selected Alan Keyes and Dr. Andrea Grubb Barthwell, two candidates who will likely face an uphill battle against Obama. Keyes has already lost two Senate races in Maryland and has few connections to Illinois while Barthwell boasts a long resume but has never run for elected office."
Choosing Keyes would be the clearest sign yet that the Illinois Republican party is in a state of complete chaos. Not only has he spent no time whatsoever in the state, but Keyes is a pro-life absolutist, whereas Illinois voters prefer their Republicans to treat the issue of abortion like they treat the weather: talk a lot about it but do nothing to change it.
As for Barthwell:
" Even before becoming a finalist, Barthwell had already been stung by controversy. While working in the drug czar's office, where she served as a deputy director, an internal report showed she engaged in "lewd and abusive behavior" at a party for workers.
Barthwell apparently made remarks questioning the sexual orientation of a male subordinate and used a kaleidoscope to make sexual gestures. Barthwell has said she had joined with a few staff members who were making jokes about a male staff member's sexual orientation. She called it "lighthearted humor" and said the man who was the subject of the jokes did not seem to take offense. She also denied any inappropriate use of the kaleidoscope."
Truly, I believe that the last sentence -- "She also denied any inappropriate use of the kaleidoscope" -- is the first time in the history of the English language that such a statement has ever been committed to paper.
At the outset of the campaign, I though Obama would get around 55-60% of the vote. I now foresee him getting around 65-75% of the vote. It will be a landslide of historic proportions.
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