NC-Sen: Cooper Won't Challenge Burr

[ccharles000]

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/4959/ncsen-cooper-wont-challenge-burr

Bad news:

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."

This is a major bummer, no doubt. Most polls had Cooper running neck and neck with Burr, holding him well under 50% in all cases -- the best numbers any Democrat have yielded in a hypothetical head-to-head.

Still, Burr, who possesses some pretty tepid approval numbers, is not out of the woods yet. Much like Elizabeth Dole last cycle, he's still polling under 50% against a variety of lesser-known Democrats -- including a 39-34 lead against Democratic congressman Mike McIntyre, who himself is not ruling out a bid for the office. Perhaps Bob Menendez should get on the phone, stat.

UPDATE: Roll Call offers a few more recruitment possibilities:


National Democrats could look to several Democratic Members from North Carolina, including Reps. Bob Etheridge and Mike McIntyre, to run for the seat. State Treasurer Richard Moore, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and state Rep. Grier Martin are also possible targets of Democratic recruitment.

:cry:

[supernova]

1. Crap. He's be a really good Senator, though

And I'm blanking on anybody else at the moment.

[NC_Nurse]

2. Damn. That sucks.

[ccharles000]

3. yup

[ccharles000]

4. kick

[grantcart]

5. BTW Charles all of your updates on the different races are very interesting

I like all of them even if I only occasionaly respond.

Please keep it up.

[PBS Poll-435]

6. It isn't like DC is that far away from NC...

It isn't like the commute that Senator Begich has...