Group tries to place Keyes on ballot

A group of Pennsylvania residents concerned about U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) stance on abortion is trying to put former GOP presidential candidate Alan Keyes on the ballot.

The Waymart-based Pennsylvania chapter of Keyes For President needs a little fewer than 25,000 signatures to make him the presidential candidate for the American Independent Party, according to Paul Curtis, the organization's leader. It has worked since mid-May to reach the goal, although it had to jump through parliamentary hoops for a month before it could actually begin collecting signatures.

Now Paul said group members are working feverishly to meet the Aug. 1 deadline as part of nationwide effort on behalf of Keyes, going door-to-door and sending e-mails to drum up support.

"The significant thing is we ask people to spend a few minutes and learn the facts,"  he said.

Their efforts stem from dissatisfaction with McCain's abortion stance and what Paul said was the gross mistreatment of Keyes by the GOP and mass media.

Although McCain has a solid pro-life reputation, Paul said he doubts his commitment to overturn Roe v. Wade based on comments the presumptive Republican nominee has made in the past.

"How can he now claim to be a pro-life candidate?" Paul said.

An email distributed by the group paints McCain as liberal.

"Whose side is Senator McCain really on?" the e-mail said. "Socialist George Soros', Teddy Kennedy's, Mexico's, or yours?"

Despite their commitment, Paul acknowledged earning enough signatures will be difficult.

"It's challenging," he said. "Many people are so conditioned to get the bulk of their information via the mass media."