sentences:  First, Keyes, a native of Maryland, had almost no ties to Illinois.He unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in Maryland twice, losing in landslides both times, and had made unsuccessful bids for the Republican presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000.. Second, the lack of a serious opponent allowed Obama to campaign throughout the more conservative downstate regions to build up name recognition.Third, Keyes was seen as a parachute candidate, only establishing legal residency in Calumet City, Illinois days before running.