I don't remember much about Keyes' senatorial run against Obama. I took a look at one commentary and it is obvious he made himself a big target with comments like, "Christ would not vote for Barack Obama, because Barack Obama has voted to behave in a way that it is inconceivable for Christ to have behaved.” He made mistakes on the campaign trail, suggesting that Obama was not a true African-American. His hard line conservative nature did not go well with the more liberal voters in Illinois. If the Republicans had put a better candidate against Obama, he could have been defeated and never rose to the place as the 2008 nominee for President.
Keyes is a grandstanding jerk who did far more damage than good.
L