This is the most troubling of election seasons.  A New York Times Poll released this week underscores this tragic fact.

At a time when the Republicans are beset by Tea Party candidates whose serious behavior overwhelms the most conscious satire efforts constructed by writers of Saturday Night Live, a situation that would traditionally redound in favor of Democrats, we have instead a silly season where some of the most unfit candidates ever foisted on the public are enjoying leads in the polls.

Two recent classic cases, both from the West, jump out for inspection.  Meg Whitman, a woman who has unleashed her E-Bay executive millions in a bid to buy the governorship of California, used some of her money to purchase time for an ad where she inadvertently salutes her opponent.  

Whitman is seen and heard longing for the past, for that wonderful California of 1980 when she and her husband moved to the Golden State in pursuit of the good life.  

Political reporters have delighted in covering Jerry Brown's political campaigns through the years.

The reason for reportorial delight is that they do not have to strain for a story.  Brown supplies interesting copy by just listening to him and reporting what he has to say.

Brown, who launched a political comeback in California by initially becoming mayor of Oakland, then the state's attorney general, last week achieved the Democratic Party nomination for governor.

George Skelton, a political reporter for the Los Angeles Times, did a piece on Brown.  He mentioned that Brown has been quiet as of late, especially for him.  Skelton speculated that the reason could relate to Brown not wanting to provide a target for the opposition.