U.S. Rep. Brad Miller is close to making perhaps the most difficult choice of his political career -- whether to challenge one of the most famous names in American politics.

Miller, a three-term Democrat, 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 Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, 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 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."

"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."

Marilyn Forbes, a Raleigh attorney who was Miller's campaign treasurer, hopes Miller stays in the House because she thinks he is building a good career there.

"Especially with the Democrats in charge right now, he has a great opportunity," she said.

Forbes said it would be difficult for Miller to raise the millions of dollars needed for a Senate race because the gubernatorial campaigns of Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and state Treasurer Richard Moore, and the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, have been sucking up the political money from North Carolina Democrats.

Dean Debnam, a Raleigh businessman and Miller supporter, says Miller should challenge Dole. Debnam owns a polling firm that has done some surveys of how Dole would fare against Democrats.

"The fact that she has never gotten 50 percent (in polls) against any Democrat says to me she is in trouble," Debnam said. "She is so closely tied to Bush. As long as Iraq continues to go horribly, a Democrat in good standing has good chance of beating her."

National Democrats had tried to recruit Gov. Mike Easley, first lady Mary Easley, Attorney General Roy Cooper and Moore before turning to Miller.

None was willing to take on Dole, a two-time Cabinet member, former presidential candidate and former president of the American Red Cross. Dole raised $13.7 million in 2002 and is off to a good fundraising start this year.

But Miller said he is not scared by Dole's fundraising prowess.

"I am convinced if I make the decision to run it will be one of the top targeted races nationally by the Senatorial Committee and by Democratic constituency groups," he said. "The support is there for a serious run."

Miller says Dole is vulnerable on domestic issues such as her opposition to raising the federal minimum wage, her support for tax cuts for oil and gas companies and her opposition to allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies for lower prescription drug prices.

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

Miller's decision could have a domino effect on local politics. At least two Raleigh legislators are looking at running for Miller's 13th District seat if he runs for the Senate -- Rep. Grier Martin and Sen. Janet Cowell, both Democrats. Also interested are state Sen. Kay Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat, and Raleigh attorney Steve Smith.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.