Jun 19, 2009 2:31 pm US/Central
Burris Won't Say If He'll Run In 2010
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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U.S. Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.)
CBS
Roland Burris will not face criminal charges that he lied about dealings prior to Rod Blagojevich appointing him to the U.S. Senate. That decision by the state's attorney in Springfield Friday removes a lot of the legal pressure Burris faced.
As CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports, though, Burris chose not to answer any questions later in the day at O'Hare International Airport, including whether he'll run for election in 2010.
It was a strange decision, because the senator repeatedly told us that if the prosecutor made this decision, Burris would discuss details he's ducked for months. But he only read from a prepared statement and ignored questions from reporters.
He saluted the Sangamon County state's attorney's decision not to charge Burris with perjury.
"I have never engaged in any `pay to play,' never perjured myself, and came to this seat in an honest and legal way," he said.
The prosecutor, John Schmidt, focused on what Burris told the Illinois House impeachment committee last winter. West Suburban Republican Rep. Jim Durkin asked if Burris had discussed the U.S. senate appointment with a series of people, including Robert Blagojevich, brother of the then-governor, Rod Blagojevich. Rod Blagojevich had the power to fill the vacant seat.
Burris responded that he'd met with one on the list, but never mentioned Robert Blagojevich. We now know the FBI had secretly recorded Burris promising Robert Blagojevich a campaign contribution.
"The fact he (Burris) did not mention others does not make the statement perjurous," Schmidt said. "It makes it incomplete."
Rep. Durkin's now appealing to the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee.
"I want the Senate Ethics Committee to remove Roland Burris from the United States Senate … because he lied before the (House) committee," Durkin said.
A Burris spokeswoman said the senator would not answer questions about the matter until the Senate ethics panel concluded its work.
Burris' appearance in Chicago comes one day after President Obama said he would not endorse in the contested race for his old Senate seat.
Already running is State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan is flirting with a run, having met with Obama in the White House last week. Observers believe she discussed receiving Obama's public endorsement as well as a promise to "clear the Democratic field" of other candidates so she'd enjoy an uncontested primary election next spring.
But Madigan Political Director Mary Morrissey says it would be wrong to suggest Madigan hoped to receiver either political favor from Obama.
"She had discussions" with Obama and others regarding a potential Senate run, Morrissey said. And, "the encouragement she got" has helped Madigan to "move along" her decision.
Morrissey said Madigan did not share with her what specifically was discussed between Madigan and Obama.
Morrissey would not commit to a timeline for Madigan's announcement, but pointed out, should she run for statewide office Madigan's nominating petitions would be circulated beginning on Aug. 4.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery, producer Ed Marshall and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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