Candidates for the U.S. Senate from Illinois took part in a debate. The candidates are seeking the position vacated by the planned retirement of Senator Fitzgerald. Mr. Obama is a State Senator and garnered national attention when he gave a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Mr. Keyes is a former presidential candidate who replaced Mr. Ryan as the Republican candidate following Mr. Ryan’s withdrawal from the race amid a sexual scandal. The candidates responded to questions on a number of domestic and foreign policy issues.