Sen. Kay Hagan ponders her political future:

“I think I’ve heard quite a bit of speculation that if Howard Coble were to step down, she’d be an ideal candidate for the 6th Congressional District,” said Jerry Meek, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Coble, a Republican, has held the Greensboro-based seat since the 1980s. He has not said when he will retire. His campaign committee recently filed the paperwork necessary to raise money for a 2008 bid.

Voter registration in the district favors any Republican who runs, even if the seat were to open. But Meek says Hagan would appeal to independent voters and even some moderate Republicans if the seat were open.

But why not challenge Coble head-on? It would give the 6th District race the excitement it’s been lacking for many years now.