Meanwhile, in South (sic) Illinois

From the Chicago Sun-Times, by way of Archpundit:

Another key GOP moderate, state party Chairwoman Judy Baar Topinka, an abortion rights advocate, appeared uncomfortable listening to Keyes rail against abortion, and she skipped out of a speech he made before the Republican State Central Committee that anointed him earlier this month.

After being cagey about whether she personally intends to vote for him, the state treasurer eventually told reporters in the face of repeated questioning that she was on board Keyes' campaign and would vote for him over Obama.

"I'm the party chairman. What do you think I'm going to do? Vote vegetarian or something?" she said."C'mon, get serious."

Link to Keyes 2004 site added out of spite.

And now I have to see who the vegetarians are running, since I wasn't aware they had a candidate. Or were a political party, for that matter. . .

More local Keyes coverage at Rick Klau's weblog (recently name-checked at Josh Marshall's Talking Points Memo), as well as The So-Called "Austin Mayor" Blog and, or course, Archpundit.

Oh yeah:

Either Alan Keyes has lost his mind, or he�s getting back at The Man.

La Shawn has a few words about him, as well.

The Sun-Times article is about Keyes' appearances at the State Fair, providing a convenient excuse for an otherwise gratuitous Rasputina reference.

Speaking of whom, from the official mailing list:

Melora Solo Show in NYC

John Kerry Benefit
Thursday, August 26th.
Sine' in NYC
150 Attorney St. (between Houston & Syanton)
9 pm Melora on her lonesome

She will be scared, so please go!

Again, links added. For your ten bucks (cheap!), you can also enjoy the stylings of Tammy Faye Starlight, The Isotoners, Randi Russo, Botanica and Erika Simonian and the Go-Kartel.

And, you know, the warm glow of knowing you're helping get that fucking idiot out of the White House.

Here's what Botanica has to say on the subject:

Leave your cynicism at the door. Leave your idealism, too, if you have to. He's who we have, (assuming there's an election). Think about it: You'd actually let him into your apartment. And if you don't vote this time, you might not get another chance.

Oddly enough, "[h]e's who we have" seems to be the position of the non-crazy Illinois GOP members with regards to Keyes, bringing this nicely full circle.

Enthusiasm abounds.

np: League of the Brigands, from Randi Russo's IUMA page. What, you think I'd suggest going to see these people without giving 'em a listen myself?