Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Miller has stepped up his exploratory effort in recent days as he nears a self-imposed deadline of July 1 to decide whether to take on Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole in 2008.

Miller, a Raleigh attorney, met over the weekend with members of the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers -- some of Miller's key financial backers -- at their annual conference in Sunset Beach. Last week, Miller and his wife, Esther Hall, met for more than an hour with New York Sen. Charles Schumer, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

"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 different job. I would not have same the same connection with every community in the state that I now feel with every community in the district."

"A lot of my closest friends are pretty ambivalent about it. They have mixed feelings, including my wife."

While Miller will not say how he is leaning, friends say they would not be surprised to see him enter the race.

"I think he is going to do it if someone assures him he has the money to do it," said state Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat. "But raising the money is difficult."

Mark Stephens, Dole's consultant, said the campaign would not comment on prospective candidates.

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