Burris may face primary challenges from Giannoulias, Schakowsky

WASHINGTON -- Newly appointed Sen. Roland Burris opened a campaign fund to raise money for a 2010 election bid as it looks like he may face a Democratic primary challenge: State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is mulling a Senate run, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky isn't ruling it out.

Trust me on this -- Giannoulias, who the ability to self-finance a campaign, is looking very closely at challenging Burris. Schakowsky is also considering her first statewide run. An issue for Burris -- in office for a week -- would be to explain to Illinois voters in the February 2010 Democratic Illinois primary why he took an appointment from the tainted Gov. Blagojevich.

Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leaders handed Burris committee assignments that will give him credentials in areas where he is short on experience -- in national security and military affairs. Burris was named to the Armed Services, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Veterans Affairs committees. This was done looking toward 2010, when Burris would have to run to keep the seat given to him by Blagojevich.

Even though Burris was seated after a fight -- Senate Democratic leaders at first resisted an appointee of Blagojevich, who is facing an impeachment trial starting Monday -- those leaders have a vested interest in making sure Burris is strong enough to keep the seat in Democratic hands if he survives a 2010 primary.