National Democrats think North Carolina's Senate seat could be in play.

According to a piece in the online political journal Politico today, Democratic strategists "are now taking a serious look at pouring resources" into state Sen. Kay Hagan's bid to unseat Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

Excited by three recent polls showing Dole less popular than expected, strategists have put the race in the "second tier of potential pickups" including Minnesota, Oregon and Maine. It's an unusual turn of events, the piece notes, since Gov. Mike Easley and U.S. Rep. Brad Miller both passed, as did Hagan initially.

But a list of heavyweight recruiters weighed in, including Democratic former Gov. Jim Hunt, topped by a full-court press from DSCC Chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

"We've worked hard to get Hagan; we really thought Dole was vulnerable," said DSCC spokesman Matt Miller. "Hagan has turned out to be a great candidate, all under the D.C. radar."

Still, Hagan has a steep financial challenge, having spent most of the $1.5 million she raised in the primary, while Dole has $3.2 million in her account.

The piece notes that Hagan will try to tar Dole as a D.C. insider who votes with President Bush 92 percent of the time. At the same time, Hagan has critiqued free-trade agreements, favors an end to the Iraq war, and supports expanding federally funded health care for children.

Hat Tip: Mark Binker