I remember Junior High, where it seems like every joke was a put down. Does anyone else feel like people running for office these days are channeling their "inner Jr. Higher?" I haven't seen it as evidently as I did the other night. Since my newborn daughter felt like hanging out with me at 3am, I looked at what I had recorded and realized I had the gubernatorial debate from several days ago between Chris Gregoire (current governor of WA) and Dino Rossi (lost four year ago...taking another shot at it).

As I watched their opening comments and answers to the first couple questions, I noticed that they not only answered (and I use that term very loosely) the questions, but took at least one pot shot at their opponent. I decided to count how many times they simply answered the question, without slamming the other person. The result?

ONE TIME!

That's it. Dino Rossi answered one question about the environment without mentioning Gregoire. Every other time - and this includes not only initial answers, but also the 30 second rebuttals - they slammed each other! They never opened their mouths without putting down the other person. Never! Unreal...and sad.

I know this may catch me some slack, but I truly don't know how I can vote this year. I am truly ashamed to have Gregoire or Rossi as the leader of this state.

Of course I believe the issues are important, and yes, I might cool down and vote - but holy smokes - I'd trade my vote for an opportunity to wash their mouths out with soap and make them sit in the corner.

Okay...let me have it...