This California governor's race on the Republican side is one of the most interesting in my lifetime. I think the main reason for this is that the Republican voters in California are tired. They are tired of new taxes, like the ones being passed to fill the budget deficit, and the so-called Republican politicians that seem to eagerly bounce across party lines to pass them. They are tired of big government spending with few visible results, such as improvements in education or the unemployment rate. They are tired of illegal immigration, Arizona boycotts and want to support the Arizona law. They need a real Republican, one who does not succumb to the loud and strong demands of the left in California and stands up for true Republican ideals.

Both Republican gubernatorial candidates seem to have caught on to this, and are attacking each other in campaign ads as not being "tough enough" or "conservative enough" on these key issues--only to then explain why they are true conservatives.

Meg Whitman

History will probably remember Whitman's campaign as one of the most extravagant is terms of spending in history. Reports last week estimated Whitman has spent around $70 million on her ads. She even broke the California campaign spending record way back in March.

"[Whitman] has gotten huge name recognition from these ads," said Ann Crigler, chair of the Political Science department at the University of Southern California, "People are beginning to form an impression about her based, at least in part, on the ads, since there are not that many media stories about the campaign."

However, one thing I think is important to keep in mind about Whitman is that most of this money is her own. This is important because if she is elected, she will not have as many financial backers to answer to and will not have to alter her policies because of what they may think.

Of course none of this matters if her ads aren't effective. Here are her worst and best in my opinion:

1. Best summary of campaign ad:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Meg2010Campaign#p/u/12/VekQ1F9J-C8

I think Whitman's strongest asset is that she successfully ran a huge corporation for many years. If she applies this experience to the state of California and operates by the same principles, many Republicans feel she will succeed in cleaning up the budget mess. In this ad she emphasized this strength and how she won't let government bureaucracy get in the way of this goal. She also discusses her harsh immigration policies and says she will require work for welfare. Music to a conservative's ears.

2. Best anti-Poizner ad:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Meg2010Campaign#p/u/1/hoYkr1rJxOc

This is her best anti-Poizner ad. Whitman's campaign clearly shows how Poizner has raised taxes in the past, something California Republicans are wary of. She shows him on screen saying he is trying to distance himself from the right-wing of his party, which is a huge red flag to those who are looking for a true Republican. It also claims he supported Al Gore's recount, something no true Republican wants to hear.

3. Best endorsement ad:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Meg2010Campaign#p/u/5/bBbQB0YMNZo

It has Mitt Romney and Condoleeza Rice in it. Enough said.

4. Least effective ad overall:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Meg2010Campaign#p/u/22/uf_qCID1pxQ

I don't get the cartoon. Plus, my first impression is that saying Poizner "drove California over a cliff" is a bit of an exaggeration, he just is not that powerful to be solely responsible for California's failing economy.

Steve Poizner

Poizner is the definite underdog of this race. He has claimed he is being outspent four to one  and actually spent his Saturday going door-to-door trying to clear up confusion about his campaign. He claims that his politics have been altered drastically by Whitman's steamroller of a campaign and decided to take to the streets to win voters the old fashioned way. It seems he is the classic underdog, with a great amount of heart. It's not every day you see a candidate for governor in your neighborhood.

But will his status as an underdog make people root for him? His ads, though more sparse than Whitman's, have good content as well. Let's take a look.

1. Best summary of campaign ad:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stevepoizner#p/u/20/qFw5ZCrm0Yk

This ad is extremely effective because it is simple. It outlines the major economic problems in California and notes that current leaders want to solve them with taxes. He then offers a clear cut solution that many Republicans will understand and be on board with.

2. Best anti-Whitman ad:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stevepoizner#p/u/6/6yEKQVQEdbE

Poizner has had many ads that I could nominate for this category, but this one I think is the best. Calderon's statements incensed many Republicans and putting Whitman's statements with his and showing the similarity was a terrific move by his campaign. Poizner seems to know where to find Whitman's faults, and his anti-Whitman ads are one of his big strengths in his campaign.

3. Best endorsement ad:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stevepoizner

Although Poizner does not have the heavy hitters on his side that Whitman has, he still shows he has support and McClintock seems informed and well spoken.

4. Least effective ad overall:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stevepoizner#p/u/25/FZ0QLl7gSjs

Again with the car. I don't like it. This ad is not as clear cut as Poizner's other ads and the car analogy does not really work. It just makes it muddled and harder to follow.