From Obama's spokesman, Robert Gibbs:
In the Belleville News-Democrat:
"I think why Mr. Keyes is fairing so poorly in this election is because he would rather attack other people than attack the problems people face in Illinois," Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said. "All we seem to get is a steady stream of name-calling and a tryout for his next TV or radio show."
...
"When you look at Alan Keyes' positions, he's not in the mainstream of Illinois," Gibbs said. "He's not even in the mainstream of the Republican party."
and in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
"This is not about expanding a national political base that Keyes may have from two unsuccessful runs for the presidency," Gibbs said, "but about representing Illinois providing help to the people of Illinois.
Referring to Keyes' home state, Gibbs added: "Illinois is not looking for a national senator, and Maryland is not looking for a third senator."
