The intent is clear, if they'd wanted people from Maryland to run for Senate in Illkinois they wouldn't have bothered to include a residency requirement in the first place.
Since bringing in Keyes is not only not a winning move, it's a pathetic losing move, he won't win. The poll shows people aren't even towing the party line for him, 28% with less than 90 days to go, he's toast, he will lose, badly, it will take the direct hand of God to get him over 40%.
It didn't take gravitas for Keyes to go back on his word, it took deception and a lack of character. It took a willingness to sacrifice him principles and go back on his word.
I haven't agreed his motive was to save lives. I've agreed that's what he SAID, but thanks to his actions I no longer believe anything Keyes says, he has proven to not be a man of his word. He is an opportunist, he is a carpetbagger, he is not to be trusted, he is an invalid candidate running for an office he doesn't deserve and bringing down the Illinois GOP in the process and possibly harming the national party.