Miller says he's close to deciding on Senate run

[pecwae]

The Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C.

North Carolina Rep. Brad Miller said he is close to deciding whether to challenge Sen. Elizabeth Dole for a seat in the Senate next year.

Miller, a three-term Democrat and a Raleigh attorney, is nearing a self-imposed July 1 deadline to decide whether to take on the Republican, a famous name in American politics who won the seat in 2002.

"It's a hard decision," Miller said. "I do like this job. A lot of people have worked hard for me to get where I am now. Although I think I can do more in the Senate, it's a different job. I would not have the same connection with every community in the state that I now feel with every community in the district."

http://www.fayobserver.com/article_ap?id=106940

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. I would love to see Brad take this seat from her, but I think

Mike Easley would really give her a run for her money. I don't understand how NC repeatedly sends a Dem to the governor's mansion, but we can't manage to send one to the Senate (sans John Edwards)? That being said, I will do whatever I can to support Rep. Miller if he decides to take on Liddy, and send her a** back to Salisbury (where she hadn't lived in many many years).

[benEzra]

3. I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to address this point...

Mike Easley would really give her a run for her money. I don't understand how NC repeatedly sends a Dem to the governor's mansion, but we can't manage to send one to the Senate (sans John Edwards)?

One of the big reasons, I think, is that Easley is pro-gun-owner, and most of the (D) Senate candidates have run on a strong ban-more-guns message (the Bowles campaign and loss comes to mind). Miller would also run into problems on that issue, were he to run for a Senate seat, unless he reconsiders his position on new bans, IMHO.

I'm sure that's not the only reason, but it's a big part of it, especially outside the Triangle.

[abburdlen]

2. I'm seriously looking at Martian

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2007/07/elizabeth-dole-43-grier-martin-37.html

“To compensate for the extremely low name recognition of state legislators, we added a short description of Martin and Hagan to the survey,” explained Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.

Martin was described as a “37 year-old two-term legislator” and “veteran of the War in Afghanistan,” while Hagan was a “five-term State Senator” and “chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.”"

Only trailing by six points with nearly no name recognition....