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  Long-shot Burns keeps hat in ring
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ContributorCraverguy 
Last EditedCraverguy  Jun 06, 2009 09:28pm
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News DateFriday, June 5, 2009 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionRemember Dennis Kucinich?

Squint hard and you may recall the Democratic congressman from the 2007 presidential debates. He had served more years in office than that whippersnapper Barack Obama. He raised issues that no other candidate was willing to address.

Kucinich was virtually ignored by the media and the voters.

Today, Kevin Burns is the Dennis Kucinich, the Rodney Dangerfield, the Kevin who? of Florida's U.S. Senate race. The North Miami mayor who brought the city new schools and a greener image gets no respect.

"There's no doubt that I am a credible, viable candidate," Burns insisted recently over breakfast, saying what goes without saying for most credible, viable candidates.

Candidates like Burns pop up every election, with little or no political experience, fundraising ability or Obama-esque charms. If only Jimmy's Eastside Diner, where waitresses and customers greet Burns with hugs, served as a voting precinct.

While shoestring campaigns occasionally carry the day in local races, they are near-impossible in a Senate contest in the fourth largest state. Democratic front-runner Kendrick Meek raised nearly $1.5 million in the first three months of this year. Burns raised $17,500 and spent slightly more.

But when state Sen. Dan Gelber bowed out of the race one week ago, allowing Meek to focus on the likely GOP nominee -- Gov. Charlie Crist -- Burns stayed put. He took his alloted three minutes -- and then some -- at the Florida Democratic Party's annual dinner and delved into issues many mainstream politicians ignore: gun control and gay rights.

"Kevin Burns is a serious candidate for Senate, but in my opinion, based on funds raised, stands zero chance against Meek," wrote Phil Busey in an e-mail sent to hundreds of other party activists.

So what makes Burns run?
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