McIntyre is

the best choice anyway.

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

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by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 12:17:38 PM CDT

Why?

McIntire is as much of a DINO as Shuler.  NC Democrats can do much better than that.

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by: bear83 @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:16:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

fairly conservative yes,

but he'd have the best appeal, especially in an election with lower turnout among minorities and young voters. Plus he has a solid base of high popularity in southeastern NC, which narrowly voted for McCain and he's better positioned geopgraphically to take out a low profile Western NC politician. I think he would a slightly better Senator than Congressman either, and remember, NC's not the only likely pick up, Democrats aren't likely to need his vote all the time so he could remain conservative and Democrats would be fine.

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

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by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 19:53:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

All evidence to the contrary

Nobody is even close to Burr in the polls now.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/...

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by: tommypaine @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 20:03:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This race

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.  

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by: TrueBlueDem @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 12:31:20 PM CDT

They'll find somebody

Just like they did last year when people were saying the same about Liddy Dole. Besides, there are at least four other opportunities above NC in the pecking order.

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by: conspiracy @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 12:36:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sure, but

brutalizing the GOP in North Carolina is different than in New Hampshire. North Carolina is Obama's southern frontier and solidifying the tremendous gains made there on the federal level is an opportunity that should not go to waste.  

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by: TrueBlueDem @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 13:36:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

NH's more important

I think the seat is safer long term and it plays an important role in making New England solidly blue (leaving the Maine ladies as the only Republicans among 12 Senators and 22 House members).  The 150 year history of rock ribbed Republicanism in New England can finally come to an end.

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by: David Kowalski @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 22:59:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Exactly

Who had heard of State Senator Kay Hagan before she ran?

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by: Pan @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:20:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Take down the white flag...

Burr has a big bullseye on his back, and there are PLENTY of good candidates to choose from.

As a long serving house member McEntire is a strong candidate, so are many others.

Shuler turned it down long ago, there was no particular reason to believe he had changed his mind.   This is not really even 'news'.

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by: vicupstate @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 13:43:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Losing Cooper

Losing Cooper was a disappointment as he seemed like he was a step ahead of everyone else in terms of electability.  Schuler is no better than lots of other potential candidates.  Add in the possible loss of his House seat and questions about how strong a Democrat he would be in the Senate, and losing him is no big deal.

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by: sicembears @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 14:59:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Don't give up on NC yet

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.

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by: Tarheeman1993 @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 12:59:34 PM CDT

and about Shuler

I'd take McIntyre over Shuler any day.  Shuler represents his conservative district well, and that is where he needs to stay.

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by: Tarheeman1993 @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 13:01:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

McIntyre

The caucus can afford some conservatives if it is already 60 plus strong with good opportunities in Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio and Kentucky in addition.  

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by: conspiracy @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 13:05:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

We can afford it, sure

But do we really want it? I don't want to go all Open Left-y on everyone, but when it comes to enacting legislation, the caucus will be a lot more effective if we keep the Liebermans and the Ben Nelsons to a minimum. Even at their best, conservative Democrats have a tendency to undercut the leadership's message in the media.

I'd say, if the caucus is at 60+, we can afford to take a slightly bigger risk on a progressive candidate. Against someone like Burr and in a state that's trending the way North Carolina is, I think it's worth trying to find a genuine progressive (so long as s/he fits the character of the state).

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by: Fitzy @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 13:46:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The problem with conservatives

There will shortly be 60 senators in the Democratic Caucus. So why isn't a strong public option for guaranteed national health insurance a near-certainty? It's because of the so-called "moderates" (more properly called "conservative Democrats," as you call them), who are always at risk for preferring the interests of corporations over those of the people. So while a "DINO" is certainly better than a Republican, I have a big problem with the likelihood that these line-straddlers may block vital legislation or distort it beyond recognition. And on a political basis, this is very problematic, because with Democrats in control of both Houses of Congress and the White House, if they fail to pass guaranteed national health care and other essential, highly popular programs, how do you think the public will punish the Democratic Party, which will be quite justifiably blamed? That's right: By voting for Republicans, who will make things even worse. The big-tent Democratic Party will have to toe a fine line, to enable conservative Democrats to feel welcome in the party while also passing all the most essential portions of the President's proposals.

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by: Pan @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:32:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Valid point

First, McIntyre is definitely not a liberal.  I'd prefer that the Democrats pick someone who is progressive that has a chance to defeat Burr.  However, every 1st tier candidate has said no, and most of the 2nd tier candidates are not running either.  Given the choice between McIntyre and an unknown progressive candidate, I'll probably choose McIntyre.  McIntyre would have a solid chance of defeating Burr because Burr could not link him as a liberal extremist.  Also, McIntyre will have an opportunity to be a deal-maker in the Senate, much like John Breaux was for many years.  McIntyre also will appeal to a large portion of the electorate.  Besides, he will help my state a whole heck of a lot better than Burr, who is pretty much a horrible senator.

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by: Tarheeman1993 @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 13:44:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Understood

I read you loud and clear. Just making a general point above.

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by: Pan @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 18:30:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'd like to see Janet Cowell run

but she probably won't considering she was just elected state treasurer this past year.

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by: bennytoothpick @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 13:47:00 PM CDT

Shuler says no

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.

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by: LanceS @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 13:55:53 PM CDT

What a great response

You are right Lance. Shuler is where he belongs.  He could hold NC-11 for 30 years.

NC Democrats can do better than Shuler, and better than McIntire, in a statewide race. I don't understand why so many people think McIntire is so great - he is about as conservative as Shuler, and is in a House district that could be hard to hold on to for Dems.  He won't make it out of the Dem primary unless multiple progressive candidates split up the opposition. Dems have to have a candidate who will appeal to and drive turnout among minorities and women.

I like Elaine Marshall or Grier Martin in the race vs Burr, and there are a lot of Dems in the legislature (where Hagan came from) who will take a look at this race.

 

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by: bear83 @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:28:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Martin is out

The problem with writing off McIntyre is that he seems to be the only one with a modicum of interest in running. Marshall may be too old.

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by: conspiracy @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 18:15:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Glad Shuler is out

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.

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by: DFLer @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 16:20:15 PM CDT

McIntyre is Terrible

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.

http://www.facebook.com/home.p...

"Keep the Faith"

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by: blue south @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 21:21:38 PM CDT

?

What do you mean by "puff"?

Yes, Cunningham looks impressive.

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by: Pan @ Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 02:50:47 AM CDT

[ Parent ]