Roland Burris won't run for Senate seat in 2010
'TOUGH DECISION' | Wants to protect legacy, source says, but inability to raise money hurt him, too
Sneed has learned that U.S. Sen. Roland Burris has decided not to seek election to a seat he fought the government to keep.
(AP)
PHOTO GALLERY
Who's in, who's out in Illinois campaigns?
• • 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.
• • The upshot: Sneed is told Burris was planning to announce his decision today -- and initially planned to only issue a press advisory and not field questions from reporters. Stay tuned.
• • $$$$: Sneed has learned that Burris, who spends most of his time in Washington, also based his decision on his inability to raise campaign funds. Campaign disclosures are expected to be filed with the Federal Election Commission next week -- and Burris has reportedly only been able to raise $20,000.
• • Backshot: "It was a tough decision for him -- and he has been going back and forth listening to people," the source said. "He didn't want to let the Afri-can-American community down. There was insufficient evidence to charge him with perjury regarding his controversial appointment by Gov. Blagojevich to the Senate seat, but he ultimately decided it was fruitless to run," the source added.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson is planning to give a lesson in the alphabet -- the Jackson family alphabet -- during the Michael Jackson Memorial Friday in Gary, Ind., where the family got their start.
• • Translation: "I'm going to emphasize the "ABCs of the Jackson family when they lived in Gary, Ind., -- not the XYZs of their family history in Hollywood," Rev. Jackson told Sneed.
• • Backstory: "The Jacksons, Joe and Katherine, raised nine children in a four-bedroom house in Gary . . . and look at the amazing result of the supervision and training those kids received," he said. "It was where the Jackson 5 was born."
• • Backstory II: "Joe worked two jobs -- a welder and a crane operator -- and then he'd teach the boys music and dance at night. The group which would become history was formed in that Gary home of 11 people."
• • Buckshot: Press reports say Michael Jackson had been profoundly critical of his father, Joe, who is expected at the memorial at the U.S. Steelyard Stadium.
• • The upshot: "Look, those kids survived and thrived and were raised by parents who kept a close eye on them," Rev. Jackson said. "I still have something written by Michael Jackson on my wall at home that my wife preserved. It was a love note from the Jackson family. I'll always treasure it."
The odd couple: Sneed's item about actors George Clooney and Bill Murray yachting together near Clooney's home in Lake Como, Italy, this week has this addendum: The duo took a tour of the earthquake damage in the mountain village of San Demetrio -- and plan to open a cinema near a campsite for homeless earthquake survivors, according to a news report.
Former WMAQ-TV anchor Warner Saunders is recovering from hip-replacement surgery. How things fall apart once we retire, huh Warner? Best wishes to the Chicago Election Board's "Reliable" Rose Preski, who is retiring Friday after 20 years of service . . . Today's birthday: Arlo Guthrie, 62 . . . Saturday's birthdays: Mark McNabola, 50; Richie Sambora, 50; Sela Ward, 53; Giorgio Armani, 75, and Greg Caputo, and really belated wishes to Ed Genson.