Posted on 08/08/2004 1:52:44 PM PDT by Dane
Elections - AP Senate Keyes Will Run for Senate in Illinois
3 minutes ago
By MAURA KELLY LANNAN, Associated Press Writer
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Alan Keyes (news - web sites), the conservative Maryland political commentator whom Illinois Republicans turned to after weeks of searching for a replacement Senate candidate, accepted the challenge Sunday of running against a rising Democratic star who has grown only more formidable as the state GOP has been mired in scandal and disarray.
"We do face an uphill battle, there's no doubt," Keyes told cheering supporters at a rally.
"So I'm not going to stand here and with tremendous ease promise you a victory. But I'll tell you what I will promise. I will promise you a fight!"
The Republican two-time presidential hopeful will face Democratic state Sen. Barack Obama in the campaign to replace retiring GOP Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (news, bio, voting record). Keyes' entry sets up the first U.S. Senate election with two black candidates representing the major parties, and seemingly assures Illinois will produce only the fifth black senator in history.
Dropping into the race from another state is an uncomfortable position for Keyes, who criticized Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites) for moving to New York to make her 2000 Senate run. When asked last week how he felt about running for Senate in a state he had never lived in, he responded: "As a matter of principle, I don't think it's a good idea."
On Sunday, Keyes spent much of his speech discussing his love of Maryland and his deliberations over running in Illinois.
"I will spend a good deal of my time listening to the people of this state," he said. "I might not know the streets yet and the neighborhoods and all the things that go to make up the everyday life of the people.
"But if in fact, the people of Illinois still stand together on the American creed, still assert their right of self government, still have the sense of responsible citizenship, then I believe I know their spirit and their conscience and their heart."
Keyes, who turned 54 on Saturday, replaces Jack Ryan, who withdrew from the race amid embarrassing sex club allegations in his divorce records. Keyes, who has no Illinois ties, emerged as a candidate only recently, after a host of high-profile Illinois Republicans, from former Govs. Jim Edgar and James Thompson to former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, declined to run.
Keyes' abortive presidential runs in 1996 and 2000 have helped make him widely known for his conservative views, which many Republicans say will match up well against what they say are Obama's liberal views.
Keyes opposes abortion and gay rights, wants to replace the income tax with a national sales tax and calls affirmative action a "government patronage program."
He will begin with a heavy disadvantage against Obama, a legislator from Chicago who has raised more than $10 million and delivered the keynote address last month at the Democratic National Convention.
Even before Ryan dropped out, Obama was considered a heavy favorite in Illinois, considered a Democratic-leaning state.
Obama called the GOP choice of a black candidate "a hopeful sign for the country," but said voters might balk at an out-of-state candidate.
Keyes has until Election Day to establish residency in Illinois according to federal law. The party has until Aug. 26 to submit his name for the ballot.
Keyes told Republican leaders he would turn to his national base of supporters, as well as to national party leaders, for financial help.
Keyes still owes $524,169 from his two presidential bids, according to federal elections records. He also owes $7,481 in unpaid state income taxes in his home state of Maryland, according to court records.
The state filed a lien against Keyes in December 2001 for those unpaid taxes. Bill Pascoe, a Keyes adviser, said the tax bill was erroneous and Keyes only owed $152, which he paid on Friday.
Before deciding to run for elected office, Keyes — who has a Ph.D. from Harvard in government affairs — served in the U.S. Foreign Service, was appointed ambassador to the United Nations (news - web sites) Economic and Social Council by President Reagan and served as an assistant secretary of state.
He first ran for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1988, winning 38.2 percent of the vote.
In 1992, he got 29 percent against Sen. Barbara Mikulski (news, bio, voting record), D-Md., amid grumbling by some voters that he had been paying himself a salary with campaign funds. He told Illinois GOP State Central Committee members he won't do that this time, said committee co-chairman Stephen McGlynn.
Will probably have to wait for the full transcript of the speech.
good, I was afraid that Keyes might back off at the last minute. Glad to see he accepted!
Ping
Rev. Jackson doesn't like it. Tough $hi! Jesse!
http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-jackson08.html
I didn't agree with it when Hitlery did it and I don't agree with Keyes doing it. It just shows that the Republican party is just as desperate for power as the democrats.
Thanks.
I think Jackson actually does like it. Jackson wants his son Jesse Jr to be the political heir apparent. Obama stands in the way. In politics, nothing is ever as it appears to be.
It is ping time in Illinois.....
Hilalry shoved her way in.
Alan Keyes was invited by the Illinois GOP.
I wish he could've picked a less dem-certain state. Although, I'm not sure which state there is that would support a black conservative.
Every person on this board who says he/she is pro-life should pray that Alan Keyes runs a successful campaign and that his message is heard. God bless Alan Keyes.
The Democrats are already starting a negative dirty smear campaign. We can't let them get away challenging Keyes' patriotism like that. The Illinois flag doesn't belong to Obama.
He doesn't have that luxury or is cherry picking. This race is unique. If anything Alan Keyes entering the race puts a roadblock into Obama's and demos plan of an uncontested coronation. Now Obama will have to show his true liberal self.
Go Keyes! Wake up Illinois!
Hillary was invited to run in New York by other New York Dems with Charlie Rangel leading the pack.
I've been holding off sending $$$ to national or out of state candidates. Dr. Keyes will get a dontion from me.
If just one person, one person asked and or invited HRC to run in NY State, then she's on as firm standing or in the same quicksand, depending on your position on this issues, as Keyes. So no one can say Keyes has a higher standing. Ethically on this one, he's in the same lot as HRC.
Sorry to disappoint you Poincare, but Alan Keyes is on the GOP team and is focusing on Obama.
Nice try at deflecting though towards your and the demos bogeyman, Karl Rove, but no cigar.
And by adding Alan Keyes, how many unborns will be saved from abortion? Few if any.
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