Coop news round-up

First, good news for Coop if he does run for Senate: he likely won't have a formidable opponent in the form of former state Treasurer Richard Moore:

"Senate run not in plans, Moore says" (Hat tip: Senate Guru)

Second, Public Policy Polling shows that Sen. Richard Burr is vulnerable in 2010...but as far as I know, the only person that PPP has polled actually leading Burr is, you guessed it, Coop. See also this post on the PPP blog, which says "...generally speaking, you want to get your most well known and popular possible candidate into the race ....There's no doubt for Democrats in North Carolina that person is Roy Cooper, who already has 44% positive name recognition. If he doesn't run the party will still more than likely have a strong contender- but if you can get your best prospect, why bother with anyone else?" Couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Third, Coop is hard at work, including visiting Pope Air Force Base to talk about scams targeting members of our military. This experience will serve him well one day when he serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee!

Coop FINALLY talks about considering Senate run

For what is most likely the first time, our man Roy Cooper acknowledges that he is considering a Senate campaign in 2010:

"A lot of people have contacted me about it, people that I respect and so I've told them I would give them the courtesy to look at it," Cooper said. "I like my job as Attorney General. I am making a difference. I've had a lot of people to ask me about it. So, I'm going to look at it but make a decision very soon."

Hat tip: Senate Guru

So what do you think, Draft Coop fans? Do you think he's decided to take the plunge? Come on, Coop, you know you want to! And how soon is "very soon"?

Meanwhile, our draft effort has allies on Facebook. Check it out:
Draft Roy Cooper for U.S. Senate in 2010

Coop at work, and Coop on TV

Two items today:

• Coop's Justice Department is investigating bonuses for Merrill Lynch & Co. employees, potentially raising the AG's national profile and protecting all Americans by finding out if laws were broken.
• Triangle TV viewers can see Coop on WRAL-TV's "Headline Saturday," on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. I'll post link to video if and when it is available.

Polls and a Rating

Catching up on political news:

• Poll has Richard Burr leading Heath Shuler 39-28.
• A different poll shows that Coop is more well-known to voters than Shuler is. Both Coop and Shuler have unfavorable ratings of only 2 percent!
• Stu Rothenberg rates the 2010 NC Senate race as "Narrow Advantage for Incumbent Party," the next most competitive rating after "Toss-Up."