I am a Keyes admirer who voted for him twice. I agree with about 99 percent of Alan's views.
As a federalist, I deplore the state-shopping that has become so prevalent in Senate races. If we're just going to import candidates from out of state, why bother representing states at all?
However, the writer is correct. Keyes represents a tradition that is no longer welcome in the "Big Tent" Republican Party: limited government, constitutionalist conservatism. Remember that the RNC chairman told the Manchester Union Leader that limited-government views are no longer welcome in the GOP.
How the Republican Party handles the Keyes candidacy will show what the party's true values are. It will show whether the Republican Party still has any of its principles left or whether it has completely become a Big Government party.
My guess is that they turn their backs on Keyes and do less than nothing to get him elected.
I remember no such thing. Could you please provide a quote or date or link please?