Bev Perdue’s gone back to being Miss Positive, setting up the Endowment for Positive Gubernatorial Campaigns – a $50 million trust fund – to pay for her next campaign for governor.

But there’s one catch: To get his share of her fund Perdue’s Republican opponent must pledge not to criticize her: No negative ads. Now that won’t mean much if it’s the same oath Perdue took last April before the Democratic Primary, which allowed her to keep running negative ads right up to Election Day.

But, on the other hand, this time ‘Dumpling’ may be serious. After all, it’s hard to imagine a better way for her to get reelected in four years than tempting her opponent (with foundation money) not to say one critical word about her record. For instance, ask yourself: If Liddy Dole had offered to fund Kay Hagan’s campaign out of an endowment in exchange for Hagan pledging not to run negative ads – would Hagan be heading for the Senate today? Would Barack Obama have won North Carolina?

This is pure political posturing: With Democrats controlling the governorship, lieutenant governorship, eight of thirteen congressional seats, eight of ten council of state seats, and both Houses in the Legislature, they want Republicans to pledge not to criticize them next election – which is the biggest incumbent protection scheme in North Carolina history.

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