Five Days Until the Primary

California's primary is only five days away and the campaigns have gotten incredibly dirty. Westly vs Angelides went negative about a month ago, but even down ballot races are now into the mudslinging. Attoney General candidate Rocky Delgadillo is acusing Jerry Brown of being soft on gangs & Lt. Governor candidate John Garamendi is blasting Jackie Speier for being on the bankroll of the insurance lobby. Even local races like Orange County Sheriff have turned into a contest of who can dig up the most trash on their opponent (Why Sheriff is still an elected office in the first place is another lament for another day).

The Governor's race is particularly disappointing. For awhile there was actually a decent exchange of ideas between the two candidates, but now its all dirt all the time. Neither one is going to beat Schwarzenegger with negative attacks, so I hope whomever comes out on top next Tuesday leaves the negative campaigning behind them.