Roy Cooper not Taking on the Burrdog

[Lunar]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0509/Roy_Cooper_not_challenging_Burr.html

Roy Cooper not challenging Burr

Big news out of North Carolina: Attorney General Roy Cooper won’t be running for the Senate, depriving Democrats of one of their top recruits against Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

“While I am honored by the encouragement I’ve received, I don’t want to go to Washington and serve as a U.S. Senator at this time,” Cooper said in a statement. “I am committed to public service and I want to serve here in North Carolina rather than in Washington.”

Cooper would have been a formidable opponent, with several polls showed him leading Burr in head-to-head matchups. Back home, he won widespread praise for his decision to drop rape charges against three Duke lacrosse players in a case that drew national attention. 

Cooper is the second high-profile Democrat -- after Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) -- to decide not to run against Burr, and puts Democrats back to the drawing board to find a credible candidate against Burr.

But while Democrats’ prospects in the Tar Heel State take a hit with Cooper's decision, Burr is far from assured of a second term.

His poll numbers remain mediocre – with many voters unfamiliar with his record – and as Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C) demonstrated last year, it doesn’t take a brand name candidate to oust a vulnerable incumbent.

[Lunar]

Yeah, Easley has some probs.

What about Elaine Marshall?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_Marshall

She's ran for Senate before, and I believe she wouldn't have to even give up her current job to run.

[Lunar]

Anyway, Raleigh mayor Charles Meeker is a bit too anti-gun to win in an off-year

Richard Moore is probably the highest-profile name still out there.

Brad-Miller (D-13) might be alright.

There's a collection of State Senators and Representatives still interested.

but anyway, burr=safe.

You're ridiculous.

[Lunar]

Wildcard pick: Elizabeth Edwards

here's the long list:
http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/if_not_cooper_then_who

[Lunar]

I'm hoping Mike Easley will run.

Have you given up on reading threads on this board altogether sir?  We talked about it already, he's mired in controversy, 0% chance he runs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Easley#Controversies

[Lunar]

So an FBI investigation and a series of controversies about the allocation of state funds won't be an obstacle?

Why not hope for John Edwards to run while you're at it?  Disgraced politicians are fun!

[Lunar]

Cooper's committed to not running.

I think the Democrats should just say "screw it" and run 35 year old former State Senator and Iraqi veteran Cal Cunningham.  Cal really wants to run, so why not run someone young in case we get lucky?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/18/dscc-eyes-four-picks-for-nc-senate-seat/#more-52149

WASHINGTON (CNN) – When North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper ruled out a run for the Senate last week, national Democrats lost their top choice to take on Republican incumbent Richard Burr in 2010.

But the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee still sees Burr as vulnerable, and several state Democrats have emerged as potential challengers in the wake of Cooper's decision. The Raleigh News and Observer even suggested Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, might jump into the ring.

Still, the DSCC — which is otherwise staying mum on the recruitment process — is taking four Democratic candidates seriously at the moment, according to a committee source.

Their top candidates are, in no particular order: Rep. Heath Shuler, the former NFL quarterback and second term congressman from western North Carolina's 11th district; Rep. Bob Etheridge from the Raleigh-area second district; former state Treasurer Richard Moore, who lost in the state's Democratic gubernatorial primary last year; and Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton.


Also considering a run is former state senator Cal Cunningham, a 35-year old lawyer and Army reservist who just returned from Iraq and has been traveling the state meeting with party members. Cunningham told CNN he's "been talking to a lot of friends and fellow Democrats about returning to public service, and I've been getting positive encouragement."

Cunningham said he's "talked to folks in Washington, and we'll expect those conversations to continue."