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Unfortunately, only a nuclear bomb in Chicago (and some of the collar counties) could change Illinois politics forever.

In recent years at the governor level we've had Republicans Jim Edgar and George Ryan. Edgar was a social moderate to liberal and Ryan proved to be as corrupt as any Chicago democrat. Plus he was not as conservative as he claimed. Judy Barr Topinka, a RINO, is trying to wrestle control and rumor has it she will run for governor next time around. The current governor (Blagojevich) is a dem and fortunately his approval ratings aren't that high.

Maybe Keyes could challenge Topinka in the republican primary and become governor - he would probably do well in the African American community in Chicago and beat Blagojevich. UNFORTUNATELY I don't think the state republican party would back anything Keyes does. AND I don't see republicans doing well in the state senate nor house in the near future.

As for US senate, Keyes could be a strong challenger in a race against Durbin. I'm sure the national dem party would throw a ton of money in Durbin's direction. It would depend upon how much the state and national republican parties back Keyes plus how much support he can gain in the city's African American community.

Personally I thought throwing Keyes into this race was an effort to divide and sabbotage the IL republican party. If Keyes is serious about staying here he could disrupt that plan. Maybe the plan all along was for Keyes to stay and re-energize the conservative base for the next round of elections.

George Ryan's corruption, Fitzgerald stepping down, the pounding of Jack Ryan, the emergence of Topinka and the lack of support for Keyes have given conservative IL republicans little hope for the future. Maybe Keyes staying is what we need.