ArcaMax

SAN DIEGO -- This week's California gubernatorial debate on CNN wasn't just dreadful. At times, it was downright painful.

As a native of the Golden State, I have to ask: With 33 days until the Nov. 3 election, is it too late to consider more applicants?

In a state that is home to nearly 40 million people, and which boasts the world's fourth-largest economy, do we really have to choose between -- to quote 1970s Scottish folk-rock band Stealers Wheel -- a clown on the left and a joker from the right?

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton each had something to prove in this debate, and neither one delivered the goods.

Even though Becerra leads Hilton in polls by 25 points, the former secretary of Health and Human Services needs to show that he has passion. He's quiet, composed and non-confrontational. He also appears socially awkward, as when he failed to look directly at either Hilton or CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

During the primary debates in the spring, Becerra told former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa "calmate" (calm down).

As a Mexican American, believe me when I tell you that my community's problem isn't that we're not calm. In fact, if there were a calm Olympics, we'd win all the medals.

For America's largest minority, the problem is that we have a target on our chests. We're treated like a pinata by a racist president who doesn't like us very much.

Not that Becerra is much of a champion. Twice in the debate, he claimed that he has "fought all my life to defend immigrants."

That's a lie. I have the receipts. For eight years, Becerra took a siesta while former President Barack Obama -- a fellow Democrat -- deported more than 3 million people, roped local law enforcement officers into enforcing federal immigration law, split up families at the U.S.-Mexico border, shipped thousands of kids off to foster care and hobbled the nation's asylum process. Those shenanigans got Obama sued by the American Civil Liberties Union. All the while, Becerra -- a team player who was then in Congress -- said nada. Worse, he tried to silence activists who challenged Obama.

Not that Hilton is any more honest. He got President Donald Trump's endorsement in the primary. Now, in the general election, the former Fox News host plays dumb and pretends like he never heard of the guy. No matter. The Don doesn't forget when he does you a favor, and he always collects on a debt. That's a scary thought.

Hilton's main problem going into the debate is that -- to borrow a phrase from Mother England -- he's a few sandwiches short of a picnic when it comes to likability. He is arrogant, condescending and unrelatable.

Worse, Hilton is a foreigner who speaks with an accent. For more than 30 years, the California GOP has worked hard to convince us that people like that are a threat. Now they want us to put one in the governor's mansion?

According to a recent poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, Hilton is viewed negatively by 51% of voters. Only 35% view him positively. In the same poll, Becerra is viewed favorably by 48% of voters and negatively by 40%.

The debate didn't make Hilton any more likable. Having said just a few months ago that he supported Trump's immigration crackdown, he ducked a question about whether he would direct state law enforcement officers to help ICE enforce federal immigration law. As a millionaire who lives in Silicon Valley, he was also visibly uncomfortable when asked if artificial intelligence companies could police themselves.

And when Becerra played the race card by telling Hilton that it seemed the Republican wanted to "welcome immigrants who look like you, but deport immigrants who look like me," Hilton got flustered and called the remark "disgraceful."

That part was adorable. It was as if it had never occurred to the old chap that the U.S. immigration debate is largely about who does the immigrating. 'Twas always thus.

Honestly, neither of these candidates won this debate. How could it be otherwise? Neither is in shape for a rhetorical sparring match. Becerra was elected to Congress 12 times in a safe Democratic district, while Hilton spends most of his time ensconced in a Fox News thought bubble with like-minded conservatives. They've both gotten soft.

When a state is deep blue or deep red, people stop trying. In some purple states that are up for grabs, the weather is blah, but the politicians are great. In California, the weather is great, but the politicians are blah.

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To find out more about Ruben Navarrette and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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