Burris announces he won't run in 2010

Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009 3:20 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats, 2010

From NBC's Mark Murray
As expected, Illinois Sen. Roland Burris

announced today that he would not run for election next year.

"Make no mistake, I love serving in the United States Senate," he said in Chicago. "Make no mistake, I love serving the people of Illinois."

But citing the enormous amount of money he would need to raise to hold on to the seat, Burris said he'd rather spend his time helping the people of Illinois.

"I believe that the business of the state should come first... I will not be a candidate in the 2010 election, and that I will not run for the United States Senate seat."

What Burris did not mention: that he would have a very hard time winning a Democratic primary or general election -- no matter how much money he has.

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Comments

What Burris did not mention: that he would have a very time winning a...

You forgot the 'hard' Mark... hey it's casual Friday right?

You're Welcome! ;0)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:26 PM)

Mark: Fifth paragraph. May have left out the word Hard. I drop words all the time. No big deal. Question: How hard would it be to add spell check to FR comments. God knows I need it.

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:29 PM)

Feisty and Ron -- thanks for the catch. :)

Mark Murray (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:31 PM)

Burris is a place holder until an election can be held. Nothing less nothing more for Mr. Burris. He was appointed to the Senate by disgraced Gov. Blagojavich and now people on both sides are gearing up to shove him aside and wage a real campaign. It will be interesting to see who finally emerges victorious.

eagle1776 (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:32 PM)

From NBC's Mark Murray
As expected, Illinois Sen. Roland Burris announced today that he would not run for election next year.
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Excellent and good riddance to ya!

Richard, I saw your posting, you must remember that the TS and the Obama administration had to run stress test on the banks...in other words, since thaey mismanged the money that Bush gave them "without" oversight. The President issued them a choice of sinking, swiming, or proving that they could survive "with out" more funding. I would say that BUSH had nothing to do with that.

They mearly made good on a promise "as inflation rears it's ugly head, we will be ther", a lot too late actually. The banks had already screwed everyone by the time they attempted to act. In other words, they made a complete ass out of him. lol

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:33 PM)

since thaey mismanged the money that Bush gave them "without" oversight

Anita, who is it that provides oversight? Congress, perhaps? The financial services committee, led by Barney Frank, may want to have considered some oversight. On another note, have you ever considered enrolling in a remedial spelling course, or getting a job, so you're not on this site all day long?

Joanne, Destin FL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:36 PM)

That's good
Burris had a well deserved bad reputation

Now that Madigan is not running, who is ??

Cna some Ilini explain who is running and likely to win the Democratic primary ?

Hopefully a clean progressive

PS
HAs Norm Coleman been indicted yet ?
I thought the FBI was investigating his graft

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:38 PM)

Having spent the last 3 days with my 6 yearold grandson(having a blast, picking blackbery's & pushing him on our tireswing), trying to catchup with all the Nonsense coming from the GOP & the MSM is a Headache, so i took some Tylenol after reading some of Dick's(Washington State) remarks from yesterday.

It seems as tho Commonsense is unachievable for some on here(nbnj, dave(tn),the little taco(chiwhawha, yipyipyip thinking it means something),fortunateson, alan(nj). How about we all stop paying taxes, then when the carnage starts, we can fend for ourselves ! Who'd be the 1st to Try & call 911, the Idiots mentioned above !NBNJ sits in a basement screaming about Ills fireworks display & worries about dinghys coming ashore on the Hudson,Then to top it Off, rambles on & on & on about Imaginary poll number's that show President Obama is'nt like Bewitched & can twinkle his nose to make his Paltry little life as good as it was with the Dynamic Duo (Chicken George & Tricky Dick). Pathetic is saying it litely !

Speaking of Tricky Dick, Sy Herch is reporting of an Assasination squad running from Cheney's Dungeon. Chicken George spoke of taking years to unravel, yet only months into Obama's administration(Eric Holder leading the way), we've already found out numerous thing's(leading up to Trials) for those accountable. Don't beleive it, sit back & watch.

The PooperScooper is getting heavy !

Democrat's, have you had your Rabies shot today ?

Nashville_Fan, enjoy your visit to the Bluegrass State, lot's of beautiful sites to behold in my state.

Rick,Ky (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:41 PM)

There is not one Democrat is Illinois that is not corrupt. Not one. Just a few Republicans too.

Jimmy, Chicago IL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:41 PM)

Can you say, "PAY-TO-PLAY?"

Oh....and here's yet another exccellent answer to some stupid, idiotic, moranic, brainless commentary by an extremeist-leftist a'rsehole.

".....And yet, Sarah Palin was 'plain' around with a TRAITOR'
Sarah Palin's husband Todd is a member of the Alaska Independence PArty
The Alaska Independence Party wants Alaska to SECEDE for the United States
How's THAT for Treason ??
Not much discussion of this during the campaign
Todd Palin is a DISLOYAL American
The Palins are Dead Fish who go with the Treasonous Flow
Sarah Palin, Palin' around with Traitors ....."
MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 2:10 PM)

"Uh....no.
It is BARRACK OBAMA who hangs out with Domestic Terrorists from the 1970's; WILLIAM AYERS
Federally Convicted Political Racketeers; TONY REZKO
and, Racist, Cult-Religion Leaders; JEREMIAH WRIGHT.

Secession, if voted upon and approved by a majority of Alaskans would not be treason; but rather, simple majority rule.

But, a total moran like yourself would never understand that.

In short Sierra....you put the 'simple' in SIMPLETON, because that's exactly what you are.
LOL"

TWO THUMBS UP FOR J. MERLE STANLEY!

OBAMA HASN'T DONE SQUAT! (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:42 PM)

Richard, I saw your posting, you must remember that the TS and the Obama administration had to run stress test on the banks...in other words, since thaey mismanged the money that Bush gave them "without" oversight.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama

The stress tests were a joke. Obama figured out, too late, that his so called stress tests were further eroding public confidence in the banks. Recall he held off on the making the results of the tests public while his economic team and the banks manipulated the data for a few days.

Surprisingly, all the banks passed their stress tests with flying colors. The tests have since been moth-balled never to be heard about again.

Bank One (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:45 PM)

On another note, have you ever considered enrolling in a remedial spelling course, or getting a job, so you're not on this site all day long?
Joanne, Destin FL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:36 PM)
______________________________________________________

I believe this actually is her job. She is probably paid by each nutty post...

Sean (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:45 PM)

Bill, Fairfax, VA (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 1:45 PM)

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It is a very rare occasion when Anita actually comes up with facts instead of worn-out rhetoric and talking points!
Factchecker
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To both of you num nut, when Ronald Reagan was president "without" a crisis, unemployent was at 15% then to 10.8%. Hell that's still high and he didn't have a "depression" to deal with, he didn't have a mortgage melt down either did he? Bush didn't know what the hell he was doing and damn near everyone he placed in a position went to jail. So don't give me that crap.

I sure as hell remember driving 55 MPH, damn near killing everyone and retirement age being moved to seventy. He was so damn old, he left with Alzhmires and Parkinsons didn't he???

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:45 PM)

What Burris did not mention: that he would have a very time winning a Democratic primary or general election -- no matter how much money he has
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Why would you expect to humiliate himself.
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I'm amazed at number of people berating Senator Burris. First of all, they really don't know the man and his deeds or they've fed into the media's demonization. They only know of one bad thing he did in the rape case. Apart from Jeff in Evanston citing an instance of a a public servant going the extra distance, others have no knowledge or haven't done their their homework on the the other contributions he gave to Illinois.

Yes, Burris is a place holder until an election can be held. I rather have him there than a Republican

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:47 PM)

Definitly a good move on his part. In some ways, I sympathize with Roland Burris. He wanted the senate seat so badly that he was willing to accept it from a crook. He would have received admiration had he turned it down and said why.

Since Treasury and the bailout was mentioned. One of my "first thoughts" which didn't make it was that in the book "Renegade", there was a section about the September crisis and Henry Paulsen. It seems that Paulsen was almost pleading with the president elect to help him do something about the banking crisis because the Bush administration was not interested in doing anything. That may explain why we saw so little of Bush during that time, he was as disinterested in the banking crisis as he was in so many things. The section in the book about that entire scenario when McCain suspended his campaign and he and Obama met with TS and the Bush team is very telling. Be even happier McCain did not win.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:48 PM)

Come on repukes jump on in anytime now and come up with some stupid conversative comments!!!!! But after you do that please mention one new positive idea from your party!!!

Greg Remington (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:48 PM)

Now all he needs to do is leave the seat in mid-term and make up a rambling bunch of excuses. Then he'd be "Pulling a Palin".

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie Philadelphia, PA (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:49 PM)

On another note, have you ever considered enrolling in a remedial spelling course, or getting a job, so you're not on this site all day long?
Joanne, Destin Fl
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If you "know" that I've been on this site all day then you must have been out here all day yourself? As far as the spelling goes...you know which end is up. FYI...I am on my job...what about you? You got one? Bet you don't, that's why you're bitter...lol

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:50 PM)

Pete Roleum
[$898 billion later and I haven’t felt a drop from Baracks Stimulus package yet!]

Maybe because only 10% has actually been spent and the proven fact that you don’t pay attention.

Sub Sailor (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:51 PM)

You don't hear too many people that want to return to state politics...originally the Federal and the States were considered equally sovereign neither being subservient to the other. If Burris is genuine in his sentiment then I say that's admirable.

-----------------------------------------------------
If anyone want to know when does the President assume responsibility for the economy, I say when it starts to take an up trun and not before then, because it still wasn't his fault. You can only be responsible for what you've cause and no more!
Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 10:19 AM)

So if the economy is still tanking four years from now (which I think it will be) according to you it's still 100% Bush's fault? Obama can do whatever he wants, and the only thing he can claim as his fault is success?

I hope this isn't what you meant...

Jonathan Flint, MI (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:55 PM)

To all the conservatives here.

Hey, Mr. Murray only addresses the libs. What's up with that? I have a name for them but I'm trying to be real nice, besides my leash is short and getting shorter.

If it wasn't for the opposition here First Read would have all of it's like-minded thugs talking to each other, agreeing with each other and patting each other on the back (they do that anyway, right or wrong). In other words, no fun.

Let's not think you're playing favorites, Mr. Murray.
Oh hell, who cares? There's room in the asylum for all of you.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:56 PM)

Sarah Palin... Is she smarter than a fifth grader?...Answer is NO... She gave a "Shout- Out" to the Third Graders( Her apparent class mates) at some school during the debate!
Joyus (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 2:51 PM)

Palin is smarter then Obama.

Those jobs Barack. Just where are they? Btw, getting a little tired of you excuses.

Paul Taylor, NO LA (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:57 PM)

The republicans in Ill are all aga ga about their chances now.

too bad their brand sucks for a vast majority of Americans.

Al C., Chicago (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:58 PM)

Joanne, Destin FL

I don't cover-up for the Democrats. Granted when President Obama was campaigning for election, he did ask Congress to not give him the money without oversight. It was their error. But worse than that...Bush nor Polson didn't required anything from the banks that got the money. They didn't even leave a paper trail. The money had to be tracked down.

If you or I wanted to get TARP, all we had to do was open up a "BANK" there were no checks or balances. Rachel Maddow pointed that out on her Show, anyone that claimed to be a bank, could get funds. The application process was a joke to say the least.

P.S I have a beautiful end that you're welcome to as well...

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:59 PM)

Joanne, you cannot expect Barney Frank to take any responsibility for his actions/inactions. Remember, he is one of the main sources for today's economic woes (fanny mae and freddy mac), but all the democrats just blame Bush. Bush had his faults, but the real kicker to the economy was the housing market killing the banking industry. That was purely the democrats' fault (largely B. Frank). But all the democrats still blame Bush. And liberals on this board will only believe the democrat lie.

A Voice (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:59 PM)

Does Burris need to give his shovel back, you know from all the shovel ready jobs he voted for? Or can he keep it as a souvenir?

F. Robinson, Chicago (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:59 PM)

the natural red headed NY,NY (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:26 PM)
___________________

PROVE IT OR SHUT UP!

Does The Carpet Match the Drapes??? (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:59 PM)

What Burris did not mention: that he would have a very hard time winning a Democratic primary or general election -- no matter how much money he has.
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Isn't that an understatement!? I haven't seen any approval ratings, but I've got to think they are in the basement. I can say with great certainty that I would have voted for anyone with a heartbeat before I would have voted for Burris!

Now at least the Democrats will have a chance to keep the seat. But I think Mark Kirk is going to be hard to beat unless someone finds a skeleton in his closet or he really screws up.

Chris - IL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:13 PM)

That other guy isn't running either, the Republican Kirk!!! The crazy right is running a super C!!

LB, Virginia (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:17 PM)

It's a shame that Roland Burris decided to get involved in this mess in the first place. Years ago, he had actually been well-regarded in Illinois politics, by voters along the entire political spectrum. He was generally thought to be a "decent guy" and a good public servant, despite decades in political life- trust me, in IL, that's a real accomplishment!

As eagle1776 and others have mentioned, Burris was never going to be more than a placeholder. He is keeping his head down and providing a reliable Democratic vote in the Senate. It's just too bad that he thought that having the title of U.S. Senator- no matter how tainted the process was in achieving it- was worth tarnishing his image of service to the people of Illinois.

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:17 PM)

One of you chicken sh-t posters is using my name. Not funny, reminds me of the games Palin, Sanford, Ensign, etc. like to play. Here's the deal, I've been coming here over two years, most of the gang here know who I am and can tell when someones doing this. I needed to put my two cents in. KNOCK IT OFF!! Go play games @ Fix news.

Please post this Mark and Dom, thanks :-)

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:21 PM)

He couldn't escape the taint of the governor that appointed him. Is it any great surprise that he couldn't do that?

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:22 PM)

Pam G., La (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:24 PM)

Hi Chihuahua -- happy to respond to you, too.

I only singled them out, because I wanted to be on the record here that I had corrected my post.

Thanks for reading and posting.

Mark Murray (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:28 PM)

Bull****, Anita.

It's arguable that the TARP money that was distributed in September, October under Tim Geithner's mentor, Hank Paulson, was what allowed several banks to survive the "stress" tests.

Joanne, Destin FL:

Thanks, now I won't have to say it.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:29 PM)

A Voice (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:59 PM)

----------------------------------------------------
NO THE LIE STARTS WITH YOUR REPUBLICAN-CONSERVATIVE PARTY ALL YOU CAN DO IS TO CRITICISE AND NOT COME UP WITH ONE POSITIVE IDEA, WHEN YOU DO YOU WILL START MAKING SENSE BUT UNTIL THAN YOU ARE VERY VERY PATHETIC JUST AS THE REST OF THE GOPIGS ARE!!!

Greg Remington (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:30 PM)

Jaw Willie

Pulling a Palin like Pulling a Monica?

Pat, OH (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:30 PM)

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 3:47 PM)

Yeah, I know. I haven't been very charitable. But let me explain:
When he was first appointed, I was fine. I didn't think he was a great choice, but I thought let him have it. But now that we've heard all the garbage about the conversations he had with Blago's brother, I think he was pretty sleazy in how he got the seat. Maybe not outside of the law, but questionable indeed!

And in hind site, the "right thing to do" would have been to refuse the seat. Blago should have never been allowed to name anyone, even if it meant waiting or having to have an election.

Chris - IL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:34 PM)

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:21 PM)
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It was very obvious that the comment was NOT from you. We all know when one of us has been slimed. Don't let it get you too upset. That's exactly what they want.

Chris - IL (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:36 PM)

Sub Sailor:

Thanks for confirming that in the big scheme of things, the stimulus can't possibly have had much effect yet after spending $70 billion, assuming in the first place it was going to be any more successful than the $120 billion 2008 stimulus approved by the Democrat congress and, unfortunately, signed by George Bush. That one really had the desired effect, didn't it?

Obama is betting on the economy starting to recover on its own so that the "stimulus" money won't be spent and that he can claim that it was the unspent stimulus that caused the recovery that resulted in deficits of $800 billion instead of a trillion and were the result of not spending the stimulus funds that caused the recovery.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:40 PM)

Bad Chihuahua:

Personally, I'm not demanding personal attention to the people who really run First Read. I just appreciate the opportunity to bloviate.

Besides, if they responded proportionately, there would be 9 personal responses for lefties to every one for righties and it would still sound like they were playing favorites. They really are quite fair and it just may be me, but most of the whining about how First Read is run comes from those from whom I always see the most whining. They act like they are ENTITLED to something.

Enfeebled Salinas Poster

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:47 PM)

I think Sen. Burris was ill-used. He has been treated as a pariah since he came to the Senate. It's not right for our senators to treat another senator that way. I don't blame him for not running.

Shame on his "colleagues" for not accepting him into the fold.

Gail, TN (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 4:48 PM)

FYI...I am on my job...what about you?

You're on the job, Anita, and you're sitting on First Read all day? You must be one productive employeee.

Joanne (Sent Friday, July 10, 2009 5:18 PM)

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