 Democratic U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, his political prospects and personal legacy weakened by controversy, is expected to announce Friday he will not seek election to the seat he was appointed to by Rod Blagojevich after the then-governor's arrest, sources close to Burris said.
| And that's the last entry for his family tombstone, 'Senator'. Unless he's fortunate enough to be indicted, which in Illinois is always a possibility ... |
The decision by Burris, 71, is an acknowledgment that prospects of mounting a multimillion-dollar fundraising effort for a high-profile statewide race are low in the face of widespread public criticism over how he got the job. Almost two months after his appointment, a Tribune poll found only 37 percent of voters wanted Burris to run. As of the spring, he raised $845 with more than $111,000 in debt, a campaign filing showed.
| Even in Illinois that isn't going to cut it, and I'm guessing both Richie 'Short Shanks' Daley and Lisa 'Daddy's Girl' Madigan are gunning to get him out of the seat, and get someone in there who is appropriately pliable. |
Burris wasn't sure he could handle the grueling schedule of a senator up for election and knew the political "tide was against him," said a source close to the senator. Burris will finish out his term, which expires in January 2011.
"He wants to be a full-time senator for the remainder of the term," said the source, who asked not to be identified because the person was not authorized to speak for Burris. "He's really passionate about that. He won't be running for election. He'll just be the state's senator."
| It's sorta like being the state bird or the state hood ornament except that the pay is better ... |
He is expected to formally make his announcement during a 2 p.m. speech to youth groups at a South Side hotel, and he did not talk to reporters after landing at O'Hare International Airport Thursday evening.
Burris -- a former Illinois attorney general whose 1978 victory as comptroller made him Illinois' first African-American elected to a statewide office -- found himself at the center of a political firestorm after Blagojevich appointed him to Barack Obama's old Senate seat. It came three weeks after federal agents arrested Blagojevich at his Northwest Side home on federal corruption charges, including allegations that he attempted to sell the Senate vacancy to enrich himself and his family.
Blagojevich, who was impeached and ousted from office a month after picking Burris, has pleaded not guilty. Burris has said he was unaware of Blagojevich's attempts to profit personally and politically from the seat and was not involved in any pay-to-play activity.
| Except for what was caught on tape ... |
As a practical matter, Burris' decision may not have much impact on next year's still-developing Senate race -- a contest in which prospective candidates have been lining up for months. One prominent contender, Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, dropped out of the running Wednesday to seek re-election.
| That's the interesting news. Daddy's Girl would have had the inside track. |
State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has been preparing to enter the February Democratic primary and Cheryle Jackson, president of the Chicago Urban League and a former Blagojevich spokeswoman, may run. Chris Kennedy, who runs the Merchandise Mart and is the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, also is interested.
| Giannoulias is an Obama confederate and has rather unfortunate ties to people who are 'connected'. If you want to frighten him just come up from behind and yell, "Broadway Bank" ... |
Amid the Blagojevich scandal, the GOP also has hopes of capturing the seat. North Shore Republican Rep. Mark Kirk and state GOP Chairman Andrew McKenna Jr. made their pitches to Republican Illinois congressmen Thursday.
Burris repeatedly tried to fend off criticism that the seat was tainted by the federal allegations against Blagojevich. But Burris did not help his cause in revealing a series of changing and sometimes contradictory details about his contacts with top Blagojevich allies that led up to his appointment.
Burris ultimately acknowledged attempting to raise funds for Blagojevich. In an FBI recording, Burris suggested to Blagojevich's brother he might try to donate money through his attorney out of fear that getting the appointment would look like a quid pro quo.
| Patrick Fitzgerald forgot to tell us about that ... |
His statements, including his testimony under oath before a House panel that recommended Blagojevich's impeachment, were investigated by the state's attorney's office in Springfield. That prosecutor found Burris' answers didn't rise to the level of perjury. A probe by the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee continues. |