Help Any way to keep keyboard expanded?

[Flagdown87]

Is there any way to keep the keyboard expanded while you are texting in vertical orientation? When a new text arrives, the keyboard will collapse to show only the messages? thanks!

 

[mahers]

I use Handcent and it has a setting to automatically open the keyboard when you get a message for quick replies. I don't have it set up like that since I don't always want to reply right away. I don't know if the stock app does that, though.