I have no doubt Obama can hold his own in a debate against Keyes or anyone else.

Just when we thought the race to see who will become the next U.S.senator from Illinois wouldn't be a race at all, we get acarpetbagger purporting to give us one.

By now you've all heard the news: Illinois Republicans finallyfound a fall guy willing to spend the next 21/2 months trying toconvince us Democrat Barack Obama isn't the only candidate running.They had to look all the way to Maryland, but they found a guy tocarry their torch.

True, Alan Keyes isn't just any guy. He is an African-American guy-- one who has never won an election, but who is expected to hold hisown in a debate. Especially if he can keep the debate focused on theissues he cares about: gays, …