I’m not going to bash Sen. Roland Burris over his decision to not seek election to the United States Senate. I actually have come to believe that he just wanted to be a senator, but arrived in office entirely the wrong way. Did he permit ambition to blind his judgement? You bet. We know he has an ego. Many pols do. However, having an ego is not a crime.
From Michael Sneed at the Sun-Times:
Sneed has learned that U.S. Sen. Roland Burris has decided not to seek election to a seat he fought the government to keep.
• • To wit: Burris, whose decision to vie for Barack Obama’s seat landed him in the midst of a federal pay-to-play corruption probe of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, decided to end his 20-year political career at the end of his term — “because he was primarily concerned about his legacy,” a source close to Burris told Sneed.
• • Translation: “After 20 years in government service, Burris didn’t want the last four months in office to be that legacy,” the source said.
Finances also contributed to Burris’ decision, according to Sneed. No doubt. I would wager there were a few behind-closed-doors conversations with Democratic congressional leaders. Like it or not, Burris is tainted because of Blagojevich. Illinois needs a fresh start.
Who will claim the powerful seat?
My money is on Alexi Giannoulias. Time will tell.