Best known for his presidential campaigns and his contest with Barack Obama for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois, Dr. Alan Keyes commented today on Gov. Charlie Crist and conservatism.

Asked if Gov. Crist ever fought for conservative ideals, Keyes said, “In my opinion, no he hasn’t.”

Saying Crist was a RINO -- Republican In Name Only -- even before he left the GOP to continue his bid for the U.S. Senate as an independent, Keyes said there was a large constituency for true conservatism, fighting for smaller government and the rights laid out in the Declaration of Independence, in Florida.

“Crist paid lip service to that conservatism,” said Keyes. “He didn’t follow through on it.”