I use double quotes that way, and they are fine.
My guess is that your macOS has "Smart Quotes" turned on. That would explain your problem. Notice how mine are turned off. I'm guessing yours are turned on.
That explains it! Thanks
You're welcome. What was happening was macOS was modifying your double quote keys in all sorts of places. This is particularly damaging for people who program, not only with KM.
This should be the first thing you fix after a fresh install of macOS on every new computer you get.
As you can tell I am not much of a programmer, but KM is steering my way down that path every day. So tips like that make a difference
You overestimate my ability to remember anything about anyone. I treat every single post from everyone as a post from someone I've never met, because the truth is I can't remember names and their posts.
I have a memory like a goldfish.
I thought that my ignorance about smart quotes would be enough to give me away 
did not mean to assume anything
Everyone who programs has to go through this very problem with smart quotes.
Hmm, there's a useless key on the keyboard called CAPS LOCK. Maybe someone could write a macro in KM that toggles the Smart Quotes attribute and assign it to that key.