I used to like Keyes, but in the Osama Obama race, he lost all my respect.
Obama thoroughly defeated him, of that there is no doubt. But to anyone who was halfway paying attention in their series of debates, it was absolutely clear that Keyes knowledge of history, the constitution, the bedrock founding philosophies of Western civilization, and detailed grasp of Illinois issues revealed Obama for the empty suit that he really is.
I realize that too few people in Illinois cared about debate performance and responded mainly to the press demonization of Keyes, his outsider (NOT carpetbagger) status, his isolation by a thorougly corrupt Illinois Republican Party, the chaotic nature of his selection, and yes; his own tactical mistakes and gaffes. His candidacy was doomed before it ever started. But had he been elected, the people of Illinois would have the opportunity to have a STATESMAN as senator rather than the 2 liberal Fabian Socialist politcal hacks that we now have.