It's time to refresh the old cup of Senate tea leaves.

The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in 2010 continues to be completely wide open, though it's increasingly clear that most of the major state officials will pass on it.

Here's the latest conventional wisdom:

THE LAST BIG HOPE: Washington Democrats and national political pundits continue to search for a brand name. U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre is still toying with a run, and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall has lately dipped her toe in the water. A definitive "no" has not come from state Sen. Dan Blue yet.

DARK HORSES: Former state Sen. Cal Cunningham leads the pack of dark horses, though former Obama fundraiser Kenneth Lewis can't be counted out. Marshall's legislative liaison, Robert Wilson, told the Insider he was flirting with the idea, but he never returned Dome's calls and he would not likely run against his boss.

WHO'S NOT RUNNING: U.S. Reps. Heath Shuler, Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, Attorney General Roy Cooper, state Sen. Malcolm Graham, state Reps. Grier Martin and Tricia Cotham, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, and Elizabeth Edwards have all said no. Of course, so did Kay Hagan in 2008.

In Dome's view, Marshall may actually make a run for it: 1) She's interested, since she ran for Senate in 2002; 2) she wouldn't lose her day job (unlike McIntyre or Blue); and 3) at 63, this is probably her last chance to do it. 

That said, Cunningham has a good biography and seems to be exciting the netroots. 

Debate on the House tax package has become an exercise in alliterative hypothetical situations.

Rep. Thom Tillis, a Charlotte Republican, started it all by posing a scenario in which "Larry the Landlord," the owner of a 20-unit affordable housing complex would have to raise rent because of the new taxes upon him.

Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat, escalated when she suggested that Larry would benefit greatly from the additional services the tax package would fund.

Rep. Tricia Cotham, a Charlotte Democrat, took the exercise even further when she said she was concerned about "Danny the Disabled Child" who apparently lives in "Larry the Landlord's" building and has disabilities and decaying teeth.

"I'm voting for Danny," Cotham said. 

Dome is sure that Larry and Danny appreciate the legislative concern. 

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler has shot down a Senate bid again.

Speaking at a groundbreaking in Asheville, the Waynesville Democrat said he would not run against U.S. Sen. Richard Burr in 2010, according to the Hendersonville Times-News:

"I am not running for Senate," the second-term Democrat said after a ground-breaking ceremony for a new building at the Bent Creek Experimental Forest Station in Asheville. "I am not running for Senate. I am not running for Senate. I have said that a thousand times, and I don't know why they keep coming up (with the idea). Of course they keep coming up and running polls."

Shuler previously pondered — then rejected — a run for Senate, but some Democrats had floated his name again after Attorney General Roy Cooper declined to run. 

Others who have said no to a run on the Democratic side: U.S. Reps. Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, state Sen. Malcolm Graham, state Reps. Tricia Cotham and Grier Martin and Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker.

State House Democrats could consider raising taxes on North Carolina’s wealthiest taxpayers as they struggle with a record budget shortfall, a Charlotte lawmaker said Friday morning.

Democratic Rep. Tricia Cotham made the statement in a conference call on the budget with more than 50 constituents, elected officials and others, Jim Morrill of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Cotham said Democrats, who control the House, are considering a package of income and excise tax hikes to offset a shortfall that now stands at $4.6 billion.

"We are not talking about taxing the working class," she said. "We’re looking at 3 to 5 percent of North Carolina’s richest income earners."

To those making more than $250,000 a year, she said, "You’re going to have to pay more – and I think you should."

Cotham offered a bleak assessment of proposed cuts. For example, she described what she called "absolutely devastating" cuts in education spending that could amount to $1.8 billion and "set back education at least a decade."

More after the jump.

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Scratch another name off the Democratic list.

State Sen. Malcolm Graham of Charlotte shot down rumors this morning that he was considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2010.

"No way," he said.

He had previously told the Fayetteville Observer he was taking "a casual look" at running against U.S. Sen. Richard Burr.

Others who have said no to a run on the Democratic side: U.S. Reps. Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, Attorney General Roy Cooper, state Reps. Tricia Cotham and Grier Martin and Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker.

Rep. Tricia Cotham shot down a rumor that she's considering a Senate run.

The Charlotte Democrat, the second-youngest state legislator, was rumored to be considering a campaign for the nomination in 2010.

She said she's been asked, but she's not interested.

"I've had quite a few people ask me over the past couple of weeks to consider it," she told Dome. "I just kept saying I'm very flattered but right now my only priority is the legislature."

Cotham said she may consider higher office in the future but she's happy serving in the state House for now.

"I enjoy what I'm doing," she said.

The state House voted overwhelmingly today to lift the state requirement for seniors graduating in 2010 to compete special projects to get their diplomas.

The 115-3 vote for House Bill 223 to delay the requirement until the class of 2011 graduates rubber stamps a decision the State Board of Education made last month, reports Lynn Bonner.

Local school districts can still choose to require the projects for 2010.

Senior projects drew praise from some legislators, but even a few supporters said the projects are easier for students who have extensive support.

Rep. Tricia Cotham, a former teacher and school administrator in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, said many good things come from projects, but they create "a system of haves and have-nots."

The bill now goes to the Senate.

The state House will have 38 women next session.

Nearly two-thirds of the women are from cities with more than 20,000 residents, including a third who represent urban areas in Wake, Mecklenburg and Guilford counties.

Charlotte is the best represented, with five women: Reps. Becky Carney, Martha Alexander, Beverly Earle, Tricia Cotham and Ruth Samuelson. Greensboro has three and Raleigh two.

The women from smaller towns hale from Grifton, Wilkesboro, Louisburg, Emerald Isle, Dallas, Ahoskie, Mocksville, Farmville, Hamlet, Mebane, Mount Airy, Hampstead and Hendersonville. Rep. Linda Coleman is from Knightdale, a close suburb of Raleigh.

Twenty-six of the women are Democrats; 12, Republicans.

The longest serving is Republican Rep. Julia Howard of Mocksville, now in her 11th term, followed by Democratic Reps. Martha Alexander of Charlotte and Maggie Jeffus of Greensboro, now in their ninth terms. Four new women were elected for the first time this year.

The women make up 32 percent of the 120-member House.

Rep. Joe Boylan admitted he has a problem today.

In a completely unexpected move, the Moore County Republican asked for a point of personal privilege on the floor of the House this afternoon.

Reading from a short note handwritten note on lined paper, he referred obliquely to his April 12 arrest for drunk driving and claims that he harassed state Rep. Tricia Cotham.

"My behavior over the past year has hurt a few of you, disappointed many of you and has reflected poorly on this house," he said. "For that, I am truly and deeply sorry."

Boylan, who lost the Republican primary in May, said that "with the grace of God" and the support of family and friends he would do everything he could to end the day without drinking.

"My name is Joe," he ended, in the classic Alcoholics Anonymous formulation, "I am an alcoholic and I ask for your forgiveness and your prayers."

After a moment of stunned silence, the House clapped for a few seconds — and business moved on to other legislative matters.

Hat Tip: Laura Leslie