Miller mulls

Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Miller has stepped up his exploratory effort in recent days as he nears a self-imposed deadline of July 1 to decide whether to take on Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008.

Miller, a Raleigh attorney, met over the weekend with members of the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers — some of Miller’s key financial backers — at their annual conference in Sunset Beach, Rob Christensen reports. Last week, Miller and his wife, Esther Hall, met with New York Sen. Charles Schumer, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

"It's a hard decision," Miller said. "I do like this job."

Mark Stephens, Dole’s consultant, said the campaign would not comment on prospective candidates.