Everybody’s piling on Jim Black. So I’ll dissent.

First of all, enough with Republicans decrying a pay-to-play system in Raleigh. It’s a pale imitation of the pay-to-play system Republicans installed in Washington – and in Raleigh, when they had the House majority.

Second, enough with politicians and reporters who are shocked – shocked, mind you – that this sort of thing goes on. From time immemorial, there has always been just a wink and a nod between campaign contributions and government actions.

Third, Jim Black is a smart man. He knew the law. He knew – and often said – that he could never promise any official action in exchange for a campaign contribution.

I would bet he said that to Michael Decker. And I suspect it went right over Decker’s head, because Decker was selling himself as hard as he could.

So it’s Decker’s word against Black’s.

The U.S. attorney will have to judge whether he can win that fight before a jury.

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