The odds on a McIntyre run

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre is mulling a Senate run.

The Lumberton Democrat told the Fayetteville Observer that he is considering running against U.S. Sen. Richard Burr in 2010.

The article quotes Democratic consultant Brad Crone on his chances:

"If McIntyre got in it, he'd be clearly your front-runner because of his status and his gravitas" as a six-term congressman, Crone said. "McIntyre could be a definite player in it. He's got a very good resume, he has done a very effective job as far as constituent service is concerned."

But McIntyre would have challenges, Crone said.

"He’s worked hard in his congressional district, but he's really not known in the northeast or here in the Piedmont, or the western part of the state," he said.

State Sen. Malcolm Graham, a Charlotte Democrat, told the paper he's also taking "a casual look" at a run, and Fayetteville resident Nathaniel Cooper says he will run.

Previously: McIntyre looking at a Senate run.