Stating the Obvious, Parts I and II

Part I from The Lincoln Courier:

"It shouldn't be a surprise to those who picked Mr. Keyes that there would be these moments that might make people uncomfortable," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard, a state central committeeman from Hinsdale who backed a different nominee.

Part II from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

"I think Alan Keyes needs to start listening," said state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac. He expressed a common and growing frustration among Illinois GOP officials who worry that Keyes - a two-time presidential candidate - is in full national soap-box mode, without taking into consideration the moderate nuances of Illinois Republicanism. "He needs to listen to the people who know how to win elections in the Republican Party in Illinois. . . . This is about winning elections. If that's his intent, he needs to get on the dime and get it done."

But was it ever really about winning elections?