Keyes Carries Republican Torch

Maryland resident, Alan Keyes, the Republican candidate for Senate in Illinois, is bringing the Republican issues to the forefront of thie campaign. (sarcasm)

CHICAGO -- In one of his latest meetings with reporters, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes said he supports the concept of slave reparations for African-Americans.

WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore has the story: LISTEN HERE


Keyes often cites the institution of slavery in his remarks about other topics, so he was asked about reparations.

Keyes says he believes slavery, sanctioned by the U.S. government, did harm back Americans and the nation bears a responsibility. He says one way to repay the debt would be to allow the descendants of slaves for, perhaps, a generation or two, to be exempt from federal taxation.

Keyes acknowledges restricting the exemption to those whose ancestors were slaves means someone whose father was African—like Democrat Barack Obama—might not qualify.

Just in case you didn't realize that Keyes was simply trying to pull the black vote from underneath Obama, he makes sure you know Obama's not the descendant of a slave owner.

I am actually not against reparations. I believe that we did a lot of damage to the African American population by subjecting them to slavery. I do take some of that responsibility. But Keyes is just trying to take pokes at Obama and take him down a couple of notches. That is a step backwards from reparations.