Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who was under consideration for vice president and several Cabinet posts in a Barack Obama administration, today withdrew her name from consideration.
The surprise move ends a round of intense political speculation that Sebelius was on her way to Washington and that Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson was about to become the state's new chief executive.
In a brief statement e-mailed to reporters at 4 p.m. today, Sebelius cited the state's worsening budget situation in the wake of the nation's economic crisis as her reason for staying.
“Given the extraordinary budget challenges facing our state, and my commitment to continuing the progress we’ve made in Kansas, I believe it is important to continue my service as governor of the great state of Kansas; a job that I love and have been honored to hold. The possibility of joining President-elect Obama’s team is exciting and compelling, but my service to the citizens who elected me is my top priority in these difficult times.
“The good news for Kansans is that we will soon have a partner in the White House working with us as we face our unprecedented economic challenges.”
Sebelius' abrupt withdrawal from consideration will surely fuel speculation that the governor, who endorsed Obama early in the Democratic nomination process, did not get the Cabinet post she wanted or was rejected for the Cabinet. The governor was not available today for questions.
Read the complete story at kansascity.com