Democrats Look to Cooper to Challenge Dole

[Adlai Stevenson]

Many "Democrats in North Carolina and Washington, D.C., are beginning to zero in on state Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) as a particularly strong pick" to challenge Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and "are urging him to enter the race," according to Roll Call.

Other possibilities include Rep. Brad Miller, Gov. Mike Easley, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Hugh Shelton, state Sen. Kay Hagan and state Rep. Grier Martin -- "though Easley is unlikely to run."

http://politicalinsider.com/

[Keystone Phil]

"though Easley is unlikely to run."

Uh, yeah, good for the GOP otherwise that's another seat we'd likely lose.

Oh, wait. I can't say that. Apparently, when I (yes, me of all people) do so, I am labeled a RINO. 

[Verily]

"though Easley is unlikely to run."

Uh, yeah, good for the GOP otherwise that's another seat we'd likely lose.

Oh, wait. I can't say that. Apparently, when I (yes, me of all people) do so, I am labeled a RINO. 

I wouldn't call it likely. Easley is popular, but I don't think Dole is so unpopular that it would be an automatic "Lean Dem" race.

[Keystone Phil]

"though Easley is unlikely to run."

Uh, yeah, good for the GOP otherwise that's another seat we'd likely lose.

Oh, wait. I can't say that. Apparently, when I (yes, me of all people) do so, I am labeled a RINO. 

I wouldn't call it likely. Easley is popular, but I don't think Dole is so unpopular that it would be an automatic "Lean Dem" race.

Last I checked, Easley was very, very popular. Dole might not be unpopular but she is pretty weak.

[HardRCafé]

It is the same seat for which unpopular Sen. Jesse Helms beat very popular Gov. James Hunt.

[Smash255]

It is the same seat for which unpopular Sen. Jesse Helms beat very popular Gov. James Hunt.

and that was how long ago?

[HardRCafé]

22½ years.  Valid point.

Zell Miller is the only Southeastern Democratic governor I can think of to run for Senate lately, though, for frame of reference.

[Smash255]

22½ years.  Valid point.

Zell Miller is the only Southeastern Democratic governor I can think of to run for Senate lately, though, for frame of reference.

North Carolina isn't exactly the same type of state it was back then.  Helms wasn't exactly as unpopular as you made him out to be (which is quite unfortunate, but again times have changed in NC).  Also Reagan at the top of the ticket greatly helped the GOP.  Their isn't exactly going to be a 24 point victory for the GOP in the state at the top of the ticket in 08 to help the GOP.  Not to say the GOP won't win the state on the Presidential level barring anything major they will win it on the Pres level (for 08 anyway), and if they were to lose it the Senate seat would already be gone and that would be the least of their problems.  However, you are not going to get the same benefit and coattails  from what more than likely will be a single digit victory (perhaps mid single digit) on the Pres level as opposed to a 24 point victory.

[HardRCafé]

My only point, more food for thought than a point, was that a popular governor is not always a lock for federal office from North Carolina.

Hillary will lose North Carolina by double digits, though.

[minionofmidas]

While we're doing NC fun facts - last time the state reelected a Senator not called "Helms" was Sam Ervin in 1968.

[Keystone Phil]

It is the same seat for which unpopular Sen. Jesse Helms beat very popular Gov. James Hunt.

Yeah, lots of people were comparing the Santorum-Casey race to that race. Unfortunately, it didn't end in a similar fashion.

Oh wait, I better stop. Wouldn't want HardRCafe to get pissy and say that my life revolves around that race. 

[Adlai Stevenson]

My only point, more food for thought than a point, was that a popular governor is not always a lock for federal office from North Carolina.

Hillary will lose North Carolina by double digits, though.

I predict she'll get about 45%-47% of the vote. 

[WalterMitty]

might not be a bad move for cooper.  he really has no where to go after this term.  the governor's race already has two heavyweights in it.

cooper isnt a very good politician though.  not good on the stump or television.

[Verily]

My only point, more food for thought than a point, was that a popular governor is not always a lock for federal office from North Carolina.

Hillary will lose North Carolina by double digits, though.

I predict she'll get about 45%-47% of the vote. 

45% is a good guess, I think. The margin will be somewhere between 8% and 12%.

[Jaggerjack]

It's a real shame for us Easley refuses to run... Guess we just need one great candidate for this one. Even if Northeasterners are flooding NC, it's still relatively conservative.