Bob Dole said the November elections at the state and federal level will be important.

Speaking at a Raleigh rally this evening, the former U.S. Senate majority leader said this fall's elections will be the most important in his lifetime — though he pointedly refused to "name names" on who voters should support.

"I'm not here to name anybody, criticize anybody," he said, though he noted that voters should consider that some of the candidates want "more taxes," "more regulation" and "more programs."

Dole, who won North Carolina in his 1996 bid, told jokes about Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan, shared a few personal anecdotes and talked about his general political philosophy. In his most pointed remarks, he argued the Democratic majority in Congress had hurt the economy.

He mentioned the re-election campaign of his wife, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, twice. The first time came after reminiscing about his long career in the Senate.

"I've never been before the Ethics Committee and I can guarantee you Elizabeth's never been before the Ethics Committee," he said, to loud cheers.

As he ended his speech, he mentioned his wife again.

"I know this is a nonpartisan event, but I do hope you'll take a good look at Elizabeth," he said.

He was followed by a speaker who attacked the "cap and trade" bill on global warming, which Elizabeth Dole supported.

Two U.S. senators may have received preferential treatment on mortgage loans.

As the Senate Ethics Committee continues an investigation into the loans received by Democratic Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, D.C.-based Web site The Politico has been asking other senators about their mortgages.

In particular, reporters Eamon Javers and Martin Kady II asked who the senator's home mortgage lender was, who they contacted to arrange it and whether they received any special terms.

"The early line: A substantial number of senators — being on average older and wealthier than the U.S. population — don't have mortgages at all," they note.

That would be the case for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who told the Politico that she did not have any mortgages. Sen. Richard Burr had not responded as of Thursday afternoon.