Sorry. Couldn't resist.
Posted on 08/02/2004 4:28:25 PM PDT by ChuckK
CHICAGO -- The story of finding a replacement for former Illinois Republican U.S. Senate nominee Jack Ryan took yet another plot twist today as word began circulating that certain members of the GOP State Central Committee are seeking to woo former GOP presidential candidate and one-time United States ambassador to the United Nations, Alan Keyes, into the race.
Keyes, a conservative icon, is being sought after by certain party leaders and a bevy of grassroots conservative activists who are enthralled with Keyes' renowned oratory skills on issues of conscience, according to a source close to the situation.
Over the weekend, suggestions of Keyes, an African-American conservative Republican who does not live in Illinois, began circulating among the rank-and-file GOPers at a northwest suburban Republican picnic with a state central committee vote looming tomorrow.
While Keyes is a resident of Maryland with no identifiable ties to Illinois, the residency issue does not present a legal problem. According to the Article I, Sec. III of the United States Constitution, a candidate for United States Senate must only "...when elected, be an Inhabitant of the State for which he shall be chosen."
Further, some Republicans believe the example of Hillary Clinton's successful run for the U.S. Senate in New York in 2000 largely makes the potential of a "carpetbagger" charge against Keyes a minor issue.
Other Republicans say reaching outside of the state party's disarray is the only hope of presenting a contender to Barack Obama, given his newfound national stature.
"That's a candidacy that would energize the base," Kathy Valente, a grassroots activist said over the weekend.
Other conservative leaders organized Keyes for President campaigns in Illinois in 1996 and 2000 when Keyes challenged George W. Bush, Gary Bauer, and John McCain for the Republican nomination.
"Whoa . . . if Alan Keyes were to take on the challenge of Illinois and Barack Obama for us, the race would immediately become national, Keyes could raise national money against Obama and the debate between the two of them would be the clash of the Titans," Lee Newcom, former president of United Republican Fund, said on Monday.
Other Names in the Mix
John Cox, currently the GOP nominee for Cook County Recorder of Deeds and who has thrown his name into the fray as the possible Senate GOP replacement, said Sunday that he would be happy to support Keyes if he entered the race.
Liz Gorman, a Cook County Commissioner from the far southwest suburbs, may be wavering in her enthusiasm to take on the race. Gorman has been touted by former Cook County GOP Chairman Maureen Murphy among others but is reported to be having second thoughts about formally offering herself as a candidate on Tuesday.
As reported in other news sources, Gorman says that national Republican sources have promised her a $1 million match if she is able to raise $1 million herself. Gorman is reportedly close to former Chicago Democrat alderman-turned-Republican kingmaker Ed Vrdolyak.
Gorman's family business, Midlothian Dodge, located at 147th and Cicero Avenue, is in the middle of a lawsuit with Daimler-Chrysler, causing the auto dealer to close its doors in the Fall 2003.
State Central Committeeman for the 1st Congressional District Maureen Murphy was on conservative Tom Roeser's WLS radio program Sunday night stumping for the Gorman candidacy. While Murphy acknowledged the financial problems Liz and Gerald Gorman have encountered, Murphy said Gorman had made it through the party's vetting process and the Gormans were on the right side of the controversy, telling the radio audience "there are two sides to every story."
Up until Monday morning, Edwardsville-based lumber company millionaire Robert Plummer was seen as a serious candidate.
Plummer was promoted by downstate Central Committeeman last Friday. Plummer reportedly offered $5 million to help jump start a campaign, and those who are concerned about down ticket slots were excited that a Plummer candidacy would be helpful in legislative races in central and southern Illinois. However, IllinoisLeader.com learned today that Plummer has decided against offering himself up as a potential candidate.
Dairyman and investor Jim Oberweis of Aurora, who finished second to Jack Ryan in the March 2004 U.S. Senate primary, continues to face tough odds in gaining his party's confidence to pursue the senate race. Oberweis is the second choice of some committeemen and not on the list of others. Oberweis told IllinoisLeader.com that he would consider the race if he was promised support from the Republican National Committee.
Another name, reportedly being encouraged by U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert is retired WGN farming reporter, 70-year old Orien Samuelson. Samuelson's familiarity with farming issues and his long term popularity within rural communities gives him a potential leg up on the other unknowns for the important downstate vote.
And former POW General John Borling of Rockford also told IllinoisLeader.com last week that he, too, was open to the running against Obama although he received only 2 percent of the vote in the Republican U.S. Senate primary.
Other names are still circulating as well, such as GOP primary contender Chirinjeev Kathuria and a couple of lesser-known applicants.
© 2004 IllinoisLeader.com -- all rights reserved
I would love to see those debates. Keyes is a master.
That would be cool with me....
What a zoo. Damned shame that Ditka decided not to run. That would have been interesting.
Congressman Billybob
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Keyes would be great.
And that pretty much sums up the illegitimacy of the Senate since the passing of the 17th amendment.
-PJ
Alan Keyes would be great
This would be great!
If only this were true!!! I contributed to Keyes' campaign in 2000. Needless to say, I think he's the best...moral clarity, etc.
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
"Okaaaaay, and the winning ticket number is....546! Ticket #546 please...congratulations! You're the Republican nominee for US Senate!"
Sounds like the Republicans should run a Committee for Senate in Illinois. Run the seven top candidates as a bunch.
Don't they do something similar to that in horse racing?
Keyes would be fantastic! Because of the confusion there, the GOP needs someone like Keyes to land a knockout punch. He would run circles around Barack Osama, but it's a d*mn shame they could convince Ditka to run.
Either Thompson or Edgar could win.. surprised they won't take the plunge..
No...it's really too late for keyes at this point. There may be no legal problem but he won't be credible unless he moves to illinois and lives there for several years. Maybe next time
But whoever runs will have to raise his own money and shouldn't expect any assistance from the Bush campaign that is fighting it's own close battle. Neither Keyes nor any other candidate has a "right" to stand next to President Bush when he comes to their state to campaign for himself.
It sure would be interesting to hear Keyes explain how he's not a carpetbagger but Hillary Clinton was.
both edgar and thompson have way too many skeletons they want to keep hidden in the closet.
Is tomorrow the deadline?
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