Probably a little of both..but probably moreso because he mentioned Cheney's daughter..

It sounds like the only definition of what's "offensive and wrong" that you want to acknowledge is your own definition. To Keyes and many other people (not myself), homosexuality is offensive and wrong.

According to what I understand your view of what's offensive and wrong to say, to disagree with homosexuality is offensive and wrong.

Sorry, but I find that to be offensive, wrong and maybe just a little bit arrogant.

I think we need to be more concerned with whether our politicians are speaking the truth -- or a truth that we agree with than if they are saying something that makes us feel bad about ourselves or that they feel bad about us.

Rivals take gloves off in first televised Senate debate
October 22, 2004

BY SCOTT FORNEK Political Reporter Advertisement

It's getting personal.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Alan Keyes met for their first televised debate Thursday, squaring off in a sharp exchange that focused on race, religion and personal integrity.

Keyes ridiculed Obama as ignorant of the Constitution, naive on foreign policy, out of touch with African Americans descended from slaves and willing to compromise his Christian faith for politics.

"I don't need Mr. Keyes lecturing me about Christianity," Obama said at one point. "That's why I have my pastor. That's why I have my Bible. That's why I have my own prayers. . . . I'm not running to be minister of Illinois. I'm running to be its U.S. senator."

Keyes shot back: "That answer is typical. When it really comes down to it, though, Senator Obama professes faith when it's convenient to get votes."

The hourlong debate on WLS-Channel 7 came nine days after the two U.S. Senate hopefuls met in Springfield for a radio debate lacking in fireworks.

But with just 12 days to go before voters go to the polls, both men came ready for battle.

Wasting no time, Obama went on the attack in his opening statement, an unusual move for a candidate ahead by as much as 50 points in public opinion polls.

"Now my opponent in this race doesn't have a track record of service in Illinois," Obama said in his opening. "Instead, he talks about a moral crusade and labels those who disagree with him as sinners."

The liberal Democrat from Hyde Park and conservative Republican from Maryland then sketched out stark differences on everything from abortion, homosexuality, how to fight crime, the war in Iraq and tax policy.

Keyes lit into Obama for voting against bills in the state Senate to toughen penalties on some gang crimes and supporting a bill that would require police to identify themselves before breaking in to execute a search warrant.

"He wants to make sure that they give them fair warning so I guess they can shoot the police to death," Keyes said.

Obama shot back, "Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits that I can tell with respect to the possession of guns."

The format allowed the two to directly question each other. Obama asked Keyes about his stated belief in the repeal of the 17th Amendment, which mandated the direct election of U.S. senators rather than selection by state legislatures.

"I think that the question actually illustrates the ignorance that I've noticed of your understanding of the American Constitution and its background," Keyes told Obama. "Senators were originally chosen under our Constitution by the state legislatures for the simple reason that the Senate was supposed to represent the states."

Obama cited his part-time job teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago, saying "I have a little bit of understanding of the Constitution.

"And I understand that in fact that was the original way that the Constitution was framed," the Democrat said. "It also prohibited anyone other than white, male property owners from voting. That's why we had amendments so that black people and Asians and women could vote. It strikes me as a funny way to empower people to take their vote away."

Perhaps the sharpest exchange came when the two men were asked about the importance of race in a contest in which the winner will become only the third black U.S. senator since Reconstruction.

Keyes responded that "the heritage that people have has a bearing on who they are, on what they consider to be important" -- an allusion to Keyes' argument that he is more in touch with black voters because he is descended from slaves, while Obama is the product of a white woman and black man from Kenya.

"It's one of the reasons, I must admit, why I think abortion is so important," said Keyes, who calls Obama's support for abortion rights "the slaveowner's position."

"I guess Mr. Keyes started off making a point that somehow he is more authentically African American than I am," Obama said. "I obviously find that offensive. But moving forward, I thought this was a question about race, but [Keyes] ends up talking about abortion."

I felt the need to share this story.

I'm a conservative and I don't care for either candidate. Obama reminds me of a male Hillary and half of the time I don't know what ridiculous comments will spew from the mouth of Keyes. I think Ernie Banks should run (GOP).