Michaux: Hagan's call on U.S. attorneys

State Rep. Mickey Michaux says Kay Hagan will have wide latitude on the next three U.S. attorneys.

The Durham Democrat was appointed as a U.S. attorney from North Carolina's Middle District in 1977 by then Sen. Robert Morgan.

It was the last time that North Carolina had a Democratic senator during an incoming Democratic presidential administration. (The state's senators were both Republicans when Bill Clinton took office in 1992.)

Typically, the senator from the same party as the president has discretion over appointments in that state.

As a state legislator, Michaux had worked with Morgan, who was the state's attorney general before he won election to the Senate. He also had worked as an assistant district attorney and as a lawyer in private practice for many years.

He said a personal relationship with the senator and a solid resume are key to getting the job.

"Keep your eye on Senator Hagan," he said. "She may have had some lawyers who were helpful to her in her campaign. She may be getting some ideas from bar associations in each of the districts. But she has the upper hand."