Burris Says Why He's Not Running in 2010

Embattled Illinois Senator Says Raising Issues is More Important than Raising Money

(AP)  Embattled Illinois Sen. Roland Burris said Friday he won't run for a full term in 2010, making official the end of a short Senate career clouded by questions about his appointment by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Burris, the only black U.S. senator, said he was bowing out of the 2010 race because of the burden of raising money to pay for a campaign.

"I was called to choose between spending my time raising funds, or spending my time raising issues for my state. I believe that the business of the people of the state of Illinois should always come first," Burris said.

"And so today, I have returned to the place where my political journey began back in 1978, back to the South Side of Chicago, back to my community and my constituency to announce, my friends, that I will not be a candidate in the 2010 election, and that I will not run for the United States Senate," he told supporters who minutes earlier had chanted, "Run, Roland, Run!"

His decision caps a long political career that included stints as Illinois' comptroller and attorney general.

Blagojevich appointed Burris to the seat once held by President Barack Obama in December, just weeks after the then-governor was arrested on charges of trying to sell the seat.

After his appointment, Burris fought waves of criticism, opposition from fellow Democrats, court battles and even a perjury investigation. He seemed to acknowledge the travails of the last seven months in his announcement.

"Serving in public life is not easy, but it is a noble and rewarding calling," he said.

Senate Democratic leaders initially vowed not to seat him, but eventually relented when he agreed to give sworn testimony about his appointment to an Illinois panel that was considering impeaching Blagojevich.

He told that panel he had talked to only one Blagojevich associate about the Senate post before it was offered, but later acknowledged other conversations. He denied having any discussions of campaign donations, but it turned out federal investigators had recorded him talking to Blagojevich's brother about the possibility of raising money for the governor.

Burris has maintained he did nothing improper to get the seat. A prosecutor who looked into whether Burris should be charged with perjury for his incomplete testimony to the impeachment panel concluded it would be impossible to prove.

Burris' fundraising has been lackluster; he raised only $845 during the first three months of 2009. Polls have shown he has little voter support and he doesn't have the backing of top Illinois politicians, including fellow Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who has said repeatedly he would not support Burris for a full term.

His decision is the latest major development in the closely watched Senate race in Illinois. On Wednesday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who would have been a likely front-runner in the Democratic primary, also opted out of the race to seek another term as the state's top lawyer.

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias plans to seek the Democratic nomination and the other Democrats are considering getting in too, including Christopher Kennedy, a Chicago businessman and son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, and Chicago Urban League president Cheryle Jackson.

Republican Rep. Mark Kirk is looking at a GOP bid for the seat

[wmsshields]

Just another Dem without credentials or honor. I hope we have trickle-up resignations as a result.

[cs4466]

This religion wingnut deserves to be in the Republican party but definitely not the Democratic party. He isn't running because he knows nobody will vote for him.

[LAKESLICKER]

This SlimeBall should not be allowed to collect the lifelong pension and health benefits that ex senators get to ride as a gravy train. Also, if he gets to feed at the trough, he will probably share with Bladgovich. Cancel these benfits for all of congress!

[1notrub11]

Actually, I truly find it hard to believe that the benefits are not prorated. If they are not, they certainly should be. Does anyone know the average tenure of a legislator? I have to believe it is more than one term and certainly more than a fraction of a term.

[BeckieBest]

This guy is a colossal idiot.

He should have never taken the Senate appointment.

[billcholee]

i think that politics in chicago only reflect the state of the nation. a sick and repulsive look into what is really running america today. power hungry greed driven sociopathic personalities with the mind set of a pig, whose eyes are pig eyes whose mind is a pig mind,dressed in suits speaking the language of deceit, they control our lives, more and more, as long as we sit back and let them. they destroy a system that it took many lives to create, day by day. FIGHT THE POWER. GOD BLESS AMERICA

[sddemocrat]

I am sorry that his tenure as a senator was so tainted by Bladgovich. I wish him the best in whatever political venue he decides.

[Henri_Rochard]

"...Unfortunately, he will reap benefits as a former senator for the rest of his life."

I wonder what kind of gravy train a former senator rides. No doubt it's a cushy ride.