What do y'all think of Meeks?

[vogonjiltz]

He sounds a little like an extortionist to me. I think that he may peel off some pro-life/anti-gay bigot votes from Judy.

[undercoverduer]

1. He made a huge mistake in my mind in his R. Kelly involvement:

R. Kelly indicted on 21 counts of child pornography

Famed singer R. Kelly was recently indicted on child pornography charges stemming from a videotape that officials say shows the Grammy Award-winning star having sex with an underage girl.

A grand jury charged Kelly, whose first name is Robert, with 21 counts of child pornography, said Cook County State's Attorney Richard Devine.
-snip-

After surrendering to Chicago authorities, Kelly, his lawyer and his spiritual advisor, the Rev. James Meeks, went to Meeks' Salem Baptist Church where Kelly sang for a graduating kindergarten class. Genson said Kelly's appearance did not violate the terms of the singer's Florida bond, which said he must stay away from children other than his own. Genson added that the Florida bond issue was now irrelevant in Illinois. Meanwhile, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office has referred the matter to Criminal Court Presiding Judge Paul Biebel.
-snip-

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_1_102/ai_87855295

R. Kelly's Kindergarten Concert

by Marcus Errico
Jun 10, 2002, 4:00 PM PT

R. Kelly's first post-arrest concert might get him in a heap of trouble.

Just hours after the singer was arrested by Chicago police, rung up on child-pornography charges and released on bail, he reportedly performed with a group of kindergarten students--seemingly a violation of a judge's order barring Kelly from coming into contact with any unrelated minor.

Kelly, 35, was booked Friday in his hometown on 21 counts of child pornography stemming from a much bootlegged underground videotape purportedly showing him having sex with a 14-year-old. The Grammy winner faces up to 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted. Kelly has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence.

Following his processing at a police station, according to the Chicago Tribune, Kelly was accompanied by his lawyer, Ed Genson, and spiritual adviser, the Reverend James Meeks, to Meeks' parish, the Salem Baptist Church, where a group had gathered to sing a Kelly composition with the beleaguered songsmith.

Included in the group of about 1,000 people were two dozen kindergarteners. Kelly led the group in the performance.
-snip-

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,10078,00.html?newsrellink

[DanCa]

2. It'd be good news for Blago if the loon gets in the race.

Meeks will wind up splitting Topinka's repuke vote and fire up the Dem liberal base at the same time.

[mopinko]

3. i agree with this analysis

at least, i sure hope it is correct. let the looney minority have their own party. keep them on the playground with the rest of the babies.

[Wabbajack]

4. He'd probably get mostly black votes

that would have gone to Blago.

[kevsand]

5. Here's what the Illinois Family Institute says about Meeks:

http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=32722

Meeks Entry into Governor's Race Could Give 'Values Voters' a Choice in November
4/5/2006 11:29:00 AM
By Peter LaBarbera, Illinois Family Institute

Millions of people of faith would consider voting for a man who honors this nation's Biblical heritage rather than making a mockery of it

A Letter from the Executive Director:

Dear IFI Readers,

Like many of you, I was devastated to learn on Election Night that Illinois voters would be facing a choice for governor in November between two major party candidates who strongly support both the homosexual activist agenda and abortion as a basic "right."

(snip)

Enter Rev. Meeks
Now along comes Rev. and State Sen. James Meeks, who is seriously considering a run for governor as an independent candidate. Many observers have speculated that Meeks merely wants to gain favors from Gov. Blagojevich by feigning a run, but it appears that he truly sees an opportunity arising from the moral degradation of both the Republican and Democrat parties.

Meeks would run on a platform of, among other issues, protecting the unborn and marriage as between a man and a woman--somebody report him to the ACLU!

(snip)

There are some key issues, like raising taxes to fund a corrupt education public system, about which I seriously disagree with Sen. Meeks, and his entire record and associations need to be carefully examined. Although he is pro-life, he has supported embryonic stem-cell research. Moreover, his entry into the race might even help Topinka by drawing Black votes from Blagojevich. Nevertheless, I hope this Christian man gets in the gubernatorial race and injects some moral sanity into it.

[dogman]

6. Wasn't he courted by Keyes?

I know there were a couple of mega-churches looking at backing Keyes because of the "moral" issues. I still think it's extortion. Will the GOP offer faith-based initiative money or will Blago be forced to fund Meeks programs? There is a lot more FBI money available to the GOPers than Blago can find in his over reaching budget.

[Radical Activist]

7. It gives disgruntled Democrats a place to go.

Many aren't likely to vote for Topinka but they might support Meeks. Especially in downstate where people are more moderate/conservative on social issues. It gives Democrats working for the state someone to vote for as well. No Governor has been elected without the support of the state workforce in over 30 years. If AFSCME endorses Meeks, its all over for Blago.