Re: If not Cooper, then who?

mountainman — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:40:33 -0400

Why not give Easley a try, he is a great model for the democrat party in north carolina, and he could teach those boys and girls in DC alot about corruption. I think he would fit right in with that crowd.

Re: If not Cooper, then who?

BitterEXdemocrat — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:25:21 -0400

Lets plea to the dems to sit one out and spare us of their BS for once.

Re: If not Cooper, then who?

PoliticalJunkie — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:30:02 -0400

basnight

Re: If not Cooper, then who?

NCProsecutor — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:57:58 -0400

Representative Martin, you have Chuck Shumer on line one.

Re: If not Cooper, then who?

westbend — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:44:54 -0400

Is Dan Blue more liberal than Kay Hagan?

Re: If not Cooper, then who?

awbeal — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:02:07 -0400

Don't forget US Rep. Mike McIntyre and former state Sen. Cal Cunningham.

If not Cooper, then who?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:46:27 -0400

Who else might run for U.S. Senate?

With Attorney General Roy Cooper dropping out of a long-expected run against Republican Sen. Richard Burr, only Durham lawyer Kenneth Lewis is left on the Democratic sid, and even he hasn't committed.

Here's a running list of other contenders:

* Richard Moore: Former state treasurer, failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Why he might run: Ambitious, rich pol who won statewide office twice. Why not: May have damaged brand with 2008 campaign.

* Brad Miller: Congressman, former state legislator. Why he might run: He was very publicly courted to run in 2008. Why not: He's just hitting his stride in the House; he may have personal issues.

* Cal Cunningham: Former state senator, U.S. Army reservist. Why he might run: He's reportedly interested in the race. Why not: He has low statewide name recognition and no current post to run from.

* Heath Shuler: Congressman, former NFL player. Why he might run: He spent 118 days publicly thinking it over earlier this year. Why not: He may be too conservative for a Democratic primary.

* Charles Meeker: Raleigh mayor who has been mentioned before. Why he might run: Served four terms as popular mayor of one of state's largest cities. Why not: That didn't help Pat McCrory win the governor's mansion.

* Grier Martin: Young turk in state legislature who turned down 2008 recruiting effort. Why he might run: Probably still kicking himself. Why not: Will need tons and tons of money for a guy with no statewide name recognition.

* Bob Etheridge: Congressman, former state schools superintendent. Why he might run: He's won statewide before and is known as an affable campaigner. Why not: He's just landed a spot on the powerful Ways and Means committee.

* Mel Watt: Congressman, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Why he might run: He managed Harvey Gantt's first campaign for Senate. Why not: He's got a can't-lose position in the House.

* Mike McIntyre: Congressman, member of the Blue Dog Coalition. Why he might run: He could match Burr on conservative issues in the general election. Why not: Those same stances would hurt him in a primary.

* Dan Blue: Former House speaker who recently moved over to the state Senate. Why he might run: He ran for Senate nomination in 2002. Why not: His politics may be too liberal for a statewide race; he'd have to give up his seat again.

* Elaine Marshall: Secretary of state now in her fifth term. Why she might run: She ran for the Democratic nomination in 2002. Why not: The longest-serving current member of the Council of State is in a comfortable job now.

* Janet Cowell: State treasurer, former state senator, former Raleigh councilwoman. Why she might run: She's a savvy pol who's climbed the ladder quickly already. Why not: After only a few months in statewide office, it might be too soon.

* Erskine Bowles: University of North Carolina system president, former Clinton chief of staff. Why he might run: He ran in 2002 and 2004. Why not: He lost both times; he's praised Burr; he's already thinking of retiring.

* Elizabeth Edwards: Health care advocate, wife of former U.S. Sen. John Edwards. Why she might run: She's vastly more popular among voters than her husband. Why not: That's not saying much.

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Re: If not Cooper, then who?

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Re: If not Cooper, then who?

Re: If not Cooper, then who?

Re: If not Cooper, then who?

If not Cooper, then who?