Edwards says Iran must not get nuclear bomb

While Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is calling for a withdrawal from Iraq, this week he provided some tough talk about Iran.

Speaking by satellite to a conference in Israel, Edwards said stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons "is the greatest challenge of our generation."

"All options are on the table to ensure that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon," Edwards told the seventh annual Herzliya Conference on Monday, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Edwards said the U.S. had not done enough to stop Iran. And he pledged continued strong ties with Israel if he is elected.

"It is a bond that can never be broken," Edwards said.

Also scheduled to address the conference are Sen. John McCain and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich by satellite and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in person.

Edwards was offering a different message on Iraq. He took out a full-page ad in today's edition of Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper, calling on members of Congress to use its power to stop President Bush from escalating the war in Iraq.

Gov. Myrick? Nope, Sue says

Congresswoman Sue Myrick of Charlotte on Tuesday quashed rumors that she is reconsidering a run for governor.

Contrary to rumors, Myrick said in a statement, "I am not reconsidering a run for governor."

A recent statewide poll found Myrick leading the Republican primary field in 2008 even though she had ruled out the race.

Immigration a growing issue

Here's a tip sheet for members of the legislature when they come to town today.

North Carolina voters think the things that need most attention from their state government are:

* lower health care costs, 25 percent;

* control immigration, 23 percent;

* improve public education, 18 percent;

* create jobs, 11 percent;

* hold down taxes, 10 percent.

That's according to a statewide poll conducted this month for the Civitas Institute, a Raleigh-based think tank with conservative leanings.

The hot issue is immigration, which has doubled in importance among voters during the past year.

Health care costs and education have remained steady. Interest in jobs and cutting taxes has declined.

Miller's science assignment

U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, who has been dogging the Bush administration for years about scientific integrity, will become chairman of a science subcommittee dedicated to digging up the truth.

Miller, a Raleigh Democrat, takes on the chairmanship of the new investigations and oversight subcommittee.

In that role, he will oversee investigations into the politicization of science, emerging issues such as U.S. competitiveness and investigations into waste and abuse, both among contractors and government agencies.

Among the subcommittee's first tasks will be to usher through new whistle-blower protections for scientists who come forward about problems within federal agencies. Those whistle-blowers may be key in helping the subcommittee do its oversight.

"This is a continuation of all the work he's done," said Miller's spokeswoman, LuAnn Canipe. "He's been very concerned about scientists who have come forward and then been stifled somewhat by this administration."

The subcommittee's jurisdiction also will include oversight of technical issues such as moving jobs out of the country and new voting machine technology.