Former state Sen. Hugh Webster told the N.C. Republican Roundtable that he intends to file next week to run as a Republican in the 13th Congressional District.

Miller, a Raleigh Democrat, faces a primary challenge by Derald Hafner of Franklinton.

It could get interesting if Miller and Webster end up facing each other in the general election.

The two lawmakers taunted one another constantly while they served in the state Senate. Webster's beef: Miller was a smarty-pants. Miller's gripe: Webster asked ridiculous questions.

Of course, after running against Vernon Robinson two years ago, Miller should have pretty thick skin.

Ron Paul supports Jones

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is raising money for U.S. Rep. Walter Jones.

The Republican presidential candidate sent an e-mail message to supporters this week asking them to donate to Jones' re-election campaign.

Paul wrote that "not every Republican" is happy about the Farmville Republican's stances, leading to a primary challenge from former Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin:

Jones "faces a primary challenge, backed by those who do not want oversight of the administration," Paul wrote. "They do not appreciate the hard questions that he has asked about the war in Iraq, his stance on preserving individual liberties, and his commitment to upholding the sovereignty of the United States by rejecting bogus 'free trade agreements.' "

Jones has praised Paul's campaign, but he has not officially endorsed anyone in the presidential race.

Dole hopes it's Clinton

Sen. Elizabeth Dole knows how Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton feels.

Before the Wake County Republican Party's annual Presidents Day Dinner in Raleigh this week, Dole was asked whether she sees any parallels between her failed 2000 bid for the Republican presidential nomination and Clinton's current run for the Democratic nomination.

"I think that in terms of her husband's participation, maybe he'd better draw back a little bit," she told Dome, laughing. "I don't think he's been that helpful to her."

Dole, who is running for re-election to the Senate seat she has held since 2002, said a Clinton nomination would help the GOP.

"I think that if Hillary Clinton is the nominee, it will draw out a lot of Republican voters in the state of North Carolina, no question about it," she said.

Burr believes in Dole

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr was the surprise guest at the Presidents Day Dinner in Raleigh.

The Winston-Salem Republican spoke briefly to the crowd about the importance of the 2008 elections and praised Dole.

Burr said he is "the luckiest man in the world" because he gets to work with Dole.

"If you really want to know what Elizabeth Dole is like, she's a rock star," he said. "When you go around with her, it doesn't matter whether they've known her their entire life or whether they meet her for the first time, they get this glow on their face."

Charlotte x 2 for the GOP?

Greg Dority says Republicans shouldn't double-down on Charlotte.

In an e-mail message to reporters this week, Dority argued that the party shouldn't put Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and state Sen. Robert Pittenger of Charlotte on the ballot together:

"It would be a disaster for the GOP to field a ticket with both the governor and lieutenant governor candidates from Charlotte," Dority wrote. "This would be a certain recipe for defeat in November as independents and conservative Democrats Down East and in the west would have little incentive to support the GOP Charlotte team versus a Democratic ticket from North Carolina."

Dority, who lives in Beaufort County, is running against Pittenger for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. McCrory is seeking the GOP nomination for governor.

Hawke in McCrory's camp

McCrory says Jack Hawke, a veteran GOP strategist, came to him.

McCrory said Hawke, his new campaign manager, became interested because of the endorsements of McCrory by former Republican Govs. Jim Martin and Jim Holshouser.

McCrory said Hawke came to his campaign headquarters about three weeks ago, but not necessarily because he was looking for work.

"I don't think that was his sole purpose," he said. "We just hit it off extremely well and kind of mutually we said we might make a good team."

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