By Simone Orendain
DeKalb, IL – When Illinois Democrat Barack Obama gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, people across the country took notice. At the time, Obama was unopposed in Illinois' U-S Senate race. The
Republican nominee, Jack Ryan left in June amid embarrassing allegations in his divorce records. Now Illinois Republicans are hoping to keep national interest going with the nomination of Maryland conservative Alan Keyes to run against Obama.
WNIJ's Simone Orendain conducted an informal survey of Republicans in the traditionally right-leaning counties in the area. She reports they welcome Keyes, but with varying degrees of acceptance.