Bush bash lands Edwards on GOP 'Dean' list

Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards was named "Howard Dean for the Day" on Thursday by the Republican Party for a fund-raising e-mail message that uses Hurricane Katrina to slam President Bush.

The National Republican Senatorial Campaign - the group focused on keeping the Senate in GOP hands and led by Sen. Elizabeth Dole of Salisbury - took a swipe at Edwards for a message he sent on behalf of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

"Last week marked the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, an event that revealed the Bush administration's callous disregard for millions of American citizens who continue to live in grinding poverty," the message reads.

It criticizes Bush and the GOP for policies that Edwards says hurt middle-income residents. It ends by asking for a donation to the Democrats.

The National Republican Senatorial Campaign accused Edwards of crossing the line.

Edwards' spokeswoman, Kim Rubey, defended the e-mail message.

"The issue is that the Bush Administration did a terrible job dealing with the aftermath of Katrina, and the 2006 elections are about addressing the problems Katrina exposed," she said in a written response.

Boyle waits

The Senate Judiciary Committee will wait another week before taking up the nomination of U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Boyle's nomination was before the committee Thursday, but Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont placed a procedural one-week hold on Boyle.

That puts Boyle in line for a committee vote next Thursday.

Another North Carolinian received a positive vote from the committee Thursday.

George E.B. Holding's nomination for U.S. attorney for the state's eastern district was unanimously approved. His nomination now goes to the Senate floor.

Bush to pick Duke trustee

Duke University could soon have a trustee with President Bush's ear.

The White House said this week that Bush plans to nominate Robert Steel, chairman of the Duke board of trustees, to be undersecretary of the treasury for domestic finance, according to Duke officials.

"Bob will bring wisdom and an extraordinary range of knowledge to this important position, and the country should be grateful for his willingness to render this significant public service," Duke President Richard Brodhead said in a statement.

Steel, a native of Durham who attended the city's public schools, retired as vice chairman of Goldman Sachs & Co. in New York in February 2004.

If confirmed, Steel would continue to lead the Duke board of trustees, officials said.

Black Caucus gets N.C. spin

Two North Carolina congressmen will play roles in the Congressional Black Caucus' conference this week.

U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, a Charlotte Democrat, is chairman of the caucus and will welcome thousands of attendees to the Washington Convention Center.

The conference will include sessions on health care, modern-day slavery, school equality and auto safety.

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a Wilson Democrat, will play host to a forum today on fighting rural poverty.

"We are neglecting rural America," Butterfield said.

Butterfield said his district, which covers much of northeastern North Carolina, is the 15th poorest congressional district in the nation.

Acuff wants to debate Price

Democratic U.S. Rep. David Price will kick off his fall campaign this weekend, as his Republican opponent, Steve Acuff, continues to press for debates.

Price will begin Saturday by canvassing door to door in Cary with state House candidate Greer Beaty. On Sunday, he will address the largest Latin American festival in the Carolinas, the Fiesta del Pueblo at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

Meanwhile, Acuff is proposing four public forums throughout the 4th District.

"Campaigns are about preserving our democracy, and debating is an integral part," Acuff said. "It is time for the incumbent to stop acting like he is a member of the privileged class."

Officials with Price's campaign said Price has agreed to participate in a forum sponsored by the Cary Chamber of Commerce in October and will consider others sponsored by nonpartisan and independent groups.