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IL GOP elected officials endorse Keyes
(IllinoisLeader.com) ARLINGTON HEIGHTS -- On Sunday, Alan Keyes arrived at the Wellington Restaurant in Arlington Heights to find a cheering crowd of over 700 people and a stage full of elected dignitaries from U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald to Congressman Henry Hyde and Don Manzullo to State Senators Dave Syverson, Steve Rauschenberger, Dan Rutherford, Chris Lauzen, Kirk Dillard, Peter Roskam, Wendell Jones and former Senator Patrick O'Malley.
An eager crowd packed into a warm banquet room at the Wellington and stood on their feet throughout the comments of endorsement from elected officials. Several hundred supporters streamed out into the lobby and onto the restaurant parking lot.
Endorsements came from Republican members of the U.S. House.
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16) said, "We need to stop [Obama] with someone who is passionate about government, someone who understands the needs of the working people. He is here today, he has been recruited."
Manzullo was spirited in his remarks as he emphasized that Keyes had been invited by the IL GOP to Illinois, referring to criticisms raised as to the fact that Keyes is not yet a resident of Illinois.
"We asked him to come to Illinois to represent us in Washington, D.C. He will be a great United States Senator, somebody I can be proud to serve with in the other body, because Illinois will continue to have a Republican Senator in the United States Senate," Manzullo said.
Republican Congressman Henry Hyde described Keyes as "splendid, credible, outstanding" in his remarks at the rally.
"I think it is important to realize this Senatorial race is about our views on education, the economy. It's about the defense of our Country in the face of worldwide terrorism," said Hyde.
"Republicans in Illinois will have a splendid, credible, outstanding, persuasive, principled representative. He is a politician who believes in something and if the voters have an open mind you may get the surprise of your life November 2nd," Hyde said.
State Party Chairman Judy Baar-Topinka greeted the crowd on behalf of the IL GOP and in support of Keyes as "a former Reagan administration official," and then left the premises immediately after she spoke.
Retiring U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald, whose seat Keyes and Obama are competing to fill, encouraged the Keyes' candidacy. Up until the Jack Ryan GOP March primary win and throughout the selection process to fill Jack Ryan's spot, Fitzgerald remained quiet on the competition to run as the Republican statewide candidate this time.
Fitzgerald was exuberant in his support of Alan Keyes' candidacy.
"Alan Keyes is perhaps the most articulate spokesperson anywhere in the Country. He has few equals in his understanding of the issues or his ability to articulate core values and principle," Fitzgerald said.
"Everyone who is represented here, in just a few days time that this came together, it sends a very loud and clear message, Barack Obama the free ride is over!"
Other dignitaries on the stage in support of Keyes were State Representatives Paul Froehlich, Sid Mathias and Ray Pritchard, as well as GOP primary U.S. Senate candidates Jim Oberweis, Steve Rauschenberger, John Cox and Chirinjeev Kathuria.
But the celebration was not without protest.
Outside the restaurant stood eight or so protestors holding signs saying, "Go Home" and "Carpetbagger."
"I just think its hypocritical of Keyes to come into Illinois and do what he criticized Hillary Clinton for doing in New York," one protestor said.
Democratic opponent Barack Obama welcomed Keyes to the race by saying, "As Mr. Keyes begins to travel the state, he will see that families here are concerned about quality jobs, making health care more affordable and ensuring our children get the best education possible."
"Illinoisans want a Senate candidate who will attack the problems they and their families face rather than spending time attacking each other," he said.
The election will be on November 2.
© 2004 IllinoisLeader.com
By: Fran Eaton
Source: IllinoisLeader.com
Publish Date: August 12, 2004
Online at: http://ifrl.org/IFRLDailyNews/040813/4
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