By Sean Crawford, Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, Ill – Illinois Republican U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes says his Democratic opponent will not have Jesus Christ on his side come election day.
Keyes told reporters this week that Democrat Barack Obama's votes against anti-abortion legislation would lose him the support of Jesus Christ, if Christ could vote in the election. A spokesman for Keyes says he stands by the comments. Obama says he'll leave the theological speculation to Keyes.
Obama says issues of morality and religion are legitimate in public debate, but he says no one should judge another person's faith.
Keyes' spokesman says the Republican is simply trying to connect rhetoric to Obama's voting record in the Illinois legislature.
Obama says he supports abortion rights, but not when the fetus can survive outside of the womb.
When pressed to explain when that occurs, Obama says it changes because of medical advancements.
He says he would also make exceptions for the mother's health.