Nannies and Wh- - - -.

Given the immense complexity of the problems facing California, it is ironic, but not surprising, that the race for Governor will be decided based on the circumstances of the hiring and firing of a nanny in the Whitman household, and/or crude language by an as yet unidentified (although highly speculated about) Brown aide.

Frankly, the gubernatorial race had received little public interest until the two above referenced events.  Current public polling shows Brown in the lead by about four points, while private polls put his current lead closer to seven points.  Neither side, however, is calling this race over.  It is interesting that the Democrats are sufficiently worried about this race to bring out   Bill Clinton this past weekend, Vice President Biden this week and President Obama this coming weekend to campaign for their ticket.  As one sage, unconnected with either campaign, told CR “they must see something in their private poll data that they don’t like.”

Reportedly, there is real concern among Democratic leadership about voter turnout, one Democratic operative told CR that at a recent “Rock the Vote” event, announcements between musical sets urging people to vote were greeted roundly with booing from the audience.  “This is the reason all of the national all-stars are coming out,” this operative told CR, “they are scared to death that young Democratic voters will stay home and they need to inject some star-power into the race.

Yes, Jerry Brown now leads in the polls by between four and seven points, but will the responders to these polls show up at the real polls on November 2?

Tomorrow:  We look at the race for Insurance Commissioner.