An ironic side note to the Dole-Hagan-Godless PAC controversy is the N&R has editorialized not once but twice on the corrupting influence of outside money on North Carolina races. Needless to say there was not one word about Kay Hagan’s trip to Boston, though they did note that novelist John Grisham had donated $4,600 to the Hagan campaign.

This morning’s lead editorial focuses on political parties spending money on nonpartisan judicial races, but it still makes an important point that illustrates why Hagan’s contact with Woody Kaplan et al is a legitimate issue:

Public funding was intended to put all participating candidates on equal footing financially and to spare them from the sometimes tawdry process of raising money privately. Otherwise, judges could be elected feeling a sense of obligation to those who funded their campaigns.

When independent organizations use their own money to influence voters, they upset the balance and threaten the integrity of the process. Although the candidates themselves don’t direct these expenditures, they can benefit and could be expected to return favors from the bench.

So it’s not unreasonable to think that Hagan will be expected to return favors to the likes of Kaplan from the Senate floor. By the same token, Hagan’s actions in the Senate more than likely will be dictated by a liberal version of a Higher Power, according to the Rhino’s John Hammer:

Hagan will go to Washington and, though she may spend more time in North Carolina than Dole, she is going to vote however Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada tells her to vote. Hagan got some clout in the NC Senate by voting exactly the way she was told by the power structure, and she most likely will do the same in Washington. So before casting a vote for Hagan, take a few seconds and see what you think of how Reid has voted.