This is about putting someone on the ticket running to strengthen the rest of the ballot.
Also it will stop the dims from having a pass straight to the Senate. In other words spending money that could go elswhere.
The GOP knows the battle is lost but not to show up would be perceived as weakness and that dirty tricks pay off.
Good analysis. However, I think that Alan Keyes has more than a decent chance of winning, if he really campaigns hard for the seat, and if he gets an endorsement visit by President Bush.