You can count Heath Shuler out of the race to beat GOP Sen. Richard Burr in 2010:
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler shot down speculation today that he is still pondering a run for Senate.
“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.”
Dems still have quite a few options to choose from to make a race of this, but if they’re looking to NC’s House delegation to land a recruit, Mike McIntyre is the only option who’s still giving the race serious consideration.
the best choice anyway.
is quickly developing into a major disappointment. This could have been a pretty easy pick up, and yet another powerful blow to the GOP’s image.
The Democrats will find someone that will compete against Burr. McIntyre may not be a conventional “Tier 1” candidate, but he’s a solid “Tier 2” candidate that can defeat Burr in the general election. McIntyre probably represents NC as well as any politician on either side. He’s a blue dog, but my own feeling (along with information from a friend’s son that worked with McIntyre) is that McIntyre will be more like a John Breaux than any other type of politician. Also, I don’t think he’s someone that will be a thorn to the Democratic leadership as a lot of the other Blue-Dogs that are in Congress. The only downside to him pursuing the senate seat is that we will have to defend NC-7, but that in itself is not as bad as the PVI index would make you think. IMO NC-7 would still be leaning towards the Democrats because whomever wins the Democratic nomination will be a moderate/conservative candidate.
but she probably won’t considering she was just elected state treasurer this past year.
Yea! Heath is fine for his district, but way too conservative for the state. If we’re going to have a Senator constantly obstructing the President, I’d rather it be a Republican.
Don’t worry about this race – the Democratic bench is very deep here with solid moderates who really fit the NC electorate. Plus Republicans historically turn out much more poorly in the “off year” elections, which is why no Republican has been able to win this seat except in Presidential years. Burr won this by 5 points in a year that Bush carried the state by 12. I remember a lot of people outside the state complaining about Hagan last year, while those of us here knew she was a terrific candidate. I’m confident that we’ll nominate another good one – I’m pretty impressed with Cunningham, and if Marshall runs, well, women almost always beat men in statewide races here.
I still think Burr is pretty much toast.
He’d be a pain in the ass to the caucus anyways – an Evan Bayh type that would’ve been bulletproof at home but still opposes key Dem proposals. We can get a much better Democrat in that seat and still beat Burr.
McIntyre’s record on choice is WORSE than Burr’s, and he is an arrogant, pompous SOB who will be a horrible state wide candidate. Those of you who think he would be a good candidate have obviously never met the man. He is the perfect example of transparently puff elected official.
And he voted against the President’s budget. Not exactly tailor made for a Democratic Primary.
On the other hand we have a possible candidate in Cal Cunningham. For those of you not familiar with him, think Grier Martin, but maybe stronger.
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