In two runs at the presidential nomination, Allan Keyes has established himself as the one candidate who understands the power of speech. Whether a prepared address or an off-hand remark, Mr. Keyes consistently demonstrates a gift for the well-chosen word effectively spoken.

Now, with the Elian Gonzalez case as subject matter, the conservative commentator also establishes himself as the one candidate with the guts to say what’s right: the boy should be with his father; the United States should craft a policy with Cuba that reflects reality.

Other candidates, both parties included, seem willing to let this brave 6-year-old become the last victim of the Cold War. Former Sen. Bill Bradley says he doesn’t want to meddle in the spat between the Justice Department and the Florida court system, as if a president should have no interest in immigration policy and foreign relations. Vice President Al Gore and the field of Mr. Keyes’ Republican opponents apparently believe what young Elian needs is not a childhood spent with a loving father and two sets of loving grandparents, but one spent in court and in congressional hearings. There is, after all, a higher issue at stake — the upcoming Florida primary.

Outside of the presidential race, the story resembles bad fiction. Rep. Dan Burton, the staunch defender of family values who took responsibility for his own illigitimate child by writing a check from time to time, has no objections to the boy being reunited with his father, as long as he testifies before Congress first. Sen. Connie Mack wants to make the boy an American citizen, as if that makes the question of parental custody moot. Rosa Rodriguez, the Florida judge who wants to keep the boy in limbo for another two months for a custody hearing, has, it turns out, a business relationship with a spokeman for the Florida relatives who want custody.

A final absurdity: A Miami television station sticks a microphone in Elian’s face the other day as he’s playing outside with a friend to ask if he wants to stay here or go home. Elian says something, but his answer is drowned out by a low-flying airplane. Kind of a metaphor for the entire situation — what’s right and sensible gets obliterated by a lot of noise.

Which makes Mr. Keyes’ direct, clear position all the more welcome. The Cold War is over. It’s time to quit taking prisoners.