Good work, Coop

You don't immediately think of health care -- one of America's most pressing concerns -- when you think of the state attorney general's responsibilities. But our man Coop is taking action, working in concert with the NC Association of Free Clinics. Check out the coverage in:
Charlotte Observer
WCNC (NBC affiliate in Charlotte)

It all boils down to Coop, the clinics, and some businesses working together to provide prescription medicines to the uninsured. And it doesn't cost the taxpayers at all. It is funded by $2.3 million in grants from the state's share of legal settlements that involved pharmaceutical companies. This couldn't come at a more appropriate time, since we recently learned that "the ranks of the uninsured have grown more in North Carolina than in any other state since the start of the economic downturn."

See, this is why we need Roy Cooper in the Senate. The man gets stuff done, works well with others, and solves problems, while looking out both for the taxpayers and for our neighbors in need.

Momentum

...is building in Roy Cooper's favor this week. He's been all over the news, as Under the Dome notes, while asking "is it his moment to announce a run for U.S. Senate in 2010?"

At the same time, another poll confirms that Cooper is the Democrat best positioned to run (Coop narrowly leads the incumbent 41-38), leading The Hill to call the race "tough" for the incumbent. The incumbent, for his part, has officially launched his re-election campaign online. He better get ready.

Here's an idea

Since we now know that political consultant Morgan Jackson is advising Coop on the 2010 race (he spoke on his behalf to a reporter about the matter), maybe we should send Mr. Jackson a note. The e-mail address for his company, Nexus Strategies, is:
info@nexusstrategies.com

If you're reading this blog and you agree that Coop ought to run in 2010, tell Mr. Jackson that you've been keeping up with the Draft Coop online movement. Tell him that you wish the attorney general well, and ask Mr. Jackson to pass along your encouragement to run. Will it do any good? Well, it can't hurt. It's just a way to tell Coop that there is a groundswell of North Carolinians out there hoping he runs.

More reporting on 2010 race

Heath Shuler's exit from the 2010 Senate race has caused reporters to focus again on who the Democratic candidate(s) might be:

• CQ Politics says "Shuler clears the way for North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, if he decides to run. Like Shuler, Cooper has strong cross-over appeal with Republican and independent voters and could campaign on conservative law-and-order issues thanks to his experience as the state’s top law enforcer."
• An AP reporter point-blank asked Coop and got a response through his political consultant, Morgan Jackson: "Attorney General Roy Cooper probably won't decide on a Senate run for a few more months. Jackson said the state's top prosecutor has been asked to consider other ways of serving 'but its too early for him to make such a decision.'" Meanwhile, neither Elaine Marshall nor Richard Moore ruled out running, although Moore's statement doesn't sound that much different from his previous statement that he would not run.

Breaking news: Shuler won't run in 2010

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler has announced he will not run for U.S. Senate in 2010. Shuler could have been a good candidate, but not as good as our man Coop would be. Shuler has irritated some of the more liberal/progressive members of the Democratic family with his positions, so it might be tough for him to win a contested primary. One wonders if he suspects that Coop will run.

General Cooper, with Shuler, Brad Miller, and Richard Moore out, the ball is in your court. A state turns its eyes to you! I know, you're busy doing your job, making headway with the EPA, and advocating against the feds superseding state consumer protection laws. But if you've got a minute, think some more about running to represent us in the Senate, won't you?????