It’s All But Announced – Shuler For Senate

When Bill Clinton starts raising money for you even though you didn’t spend a dime in crushing your opponent in a House race two months ago, it’s pretty clear that you’ve got your sights set on bigger things.

“Former President Bill Clinton will hold a fundraiser for North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler later this month as the two Democrats continue to build a relationship.

Clinton will speak at North Carolina State University on the morning of Jan. 26, then attend a lunch fundraiser for Shuler in Raleigh. The second-term lawmaker represents the state’s 11th District, which covers North Carolina’s mountains.

Shuler spokesman Andrew Whalen said Clinton offered to attend a fundraiser on Shuler’s behalf.

“Obviously, we thought it was a great opportunity,” Whalen said. Whalen did not have details about the estimated size of the fundraiser or the cost to attend.

This isn’t the first time Clinton has helped Shuler. The former president reached out to the former NFL quarterback when Democrats recruited him to run for Congress in the 2006 election.

Clinton also attended Shuler’s church the weekend before North Carolina’s primary this year. Shuler endorsed Clinton’s wife, former New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, in her run for president because she won the primary in his district.”

Most of the buzz about who might challenge Senator Richard Burr in 2010 has centered around NC Attorney General Roy Cooper. There’s been some speculation about Shuler making a run for it, but this Clinton event makes it look like it’s almost a sure thing.  Remember that Shuler stood as a Clinton superdelegate until she released him to Obama.  Bill attended church with Heath when he came to Asheville.

Shuler and Cooper, if they’re both serious about running for Burr’s seat, will work hard to raise money and support. I doubt, however, that they’ll both still be standing by the time the primary rolls around. Shuler’s got over a million in the bank already thanks to his tireless fundraising and the comatose campaign of Carl Mumpower. He’ll need at least $8 million to unseat Burr, and this Clinton visit will help him greatly on that road.

Shuler will also have a higher profile in the House this term as he’s been tapped to be a whip for the Blue Dog Caucus.  Look for him to be talking a lot about fiscal responsibility in front of reporters.

So who would Shuler tap to run for his seat here in the eleventh district? All speculation is welcome.