"He doesn't vote in ways to attract contributions. Instead, contributors give to him because of the way he votes," Hansen said.

Hatch's Democratic opponent, Ashdown, said, "I would like to attract more outside money myself, so it would be hypocritical of me to say it is wrong for Hatch."

He adds, "The proof (of who is influencing an office holder) is in the voting record," and he said that Hatch's record may show he is "more interested in entertainment interests in California than technical interests here in Utah. If you vote mostly to protect home-state interest, it doesn't matter where you take the money from."

Patterson at BYU said most politicians find the biggest, most willing donors on the East and West coasts, and "politicians are like fishermen. You fish where the fish are. And they go after donations where they exist."

And because seeking funds is difficult in Utah, "That's why candidates look out of state," Patterson said.

He adds, "High-end givers also give to gain access." If they call, they expect a member of Congress to return the call.

Bishop says out-of-state money is neither good nor bad, but rather indifferent — like most political donations.

"I've never met anyone who I think was really bought and paid for by an industry or swayed by the kinds of money they were getting. At the same time, I think money follows the basic approach that somebody has. So I don't expect any pro-abortion money, nor if it did (come) would it change how I vote on that issue," Bishop said.

He added that Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., "once said our system of financing campaigns presupposes that politicians can expect money and be total ingrates in doing so. There's some truth to that."

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