Politico's Ben Smith has posted a partial statement from Rep. Luis Gutierrez in which he discloses that one of Gov. Blagojevich's criteria for Barack Obama's U.S. Senate replacement is that it be someone who plans to run in 2010.  Gutierrez says he isn't willing to commit to this requirement and, as such, has withdrawn himself from consideration, despite Blagojevich's apparent interest:

Today I had a very productive and gratifying conversation with Governor Blagojevich about the U.S. Senate. I shared with Governor Blagojevich that I would be honored to be appointed to the vacant U.S. Senate seat. I also told him that I would not be interested in running for a full term in 2010....

Governor Blagojevich shared with me today that he was very interested in me as a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat, but that his preference is to appoint someone who will run for a full term in 2010. 

Smith gleans that Gutierrez "appeared to have emerged as Rod Blagojevich's first choice for the Senate."  But I wouldn't necessarily go that far.  While this may very well be the case, nothing in the above statement proves it. 

What we have learned from Gutierrez's disclosure is that a placeholder (such as Emil Jones) seems out of the question. 

That being said, I wouldn't be suprised if there's more to Gutierrez's withdrawal than meets the eye.  It just strikes me as strange that, after essentially throwing his hat in the ring several weeks ago, the 55-year-old representative now says he doesn't want to serve more than two years in the Senate.

(H/T HuffPo Chicago)

UPDATE: Well, maybe he's not totally out of the running after all. From the State Journal-Register:

The difference would seem to eliminate Gutierrez as a possible replacement for Barack Obama, who resigned his Senate seat after being elected president.

But neither Gutierrez nor Blagojevich would go that far in statements after meeting in Chicago.

Gutierrez said he is "honored and gratified to be considered so seriously,“ while a spokesman said the governor thinks Gutierrez "would make an excellent senator.“

UPDATE II: During an appearance with Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. on WTTW tonight, Gutierrez talked about his discussion with Blagojevich today.  Gutierrez reiterated that Blagojevich's "preference" is a successor who will run for reelection in 2010 and said that he only wants the seat for two years.  He added, "I made it very clear to him that I want to go to the Senate so that I could work with Senator McCain actually and others who care about immigration reform to make that a reality."  Watch it:

I still don't get it.