Gubernatorial candidate A wrote a naughty word on the blackboard while in fifth grade. Candidate B pulled the hair of the girl in front of her in second grade.

Based on this devastating information, was either fit to be a college class officer? Sure, no problem. Years later, and much more importantly, it is easy to draw a different conclusion, based on the juvenile campaign drivel we are now seeing and hearing. Neither candidate seems fit to be a public servant at any level. If the current campaign of concocted smear attacks is an example of their best thinking, we are in deep trouble, and desperately wish for the emergence of Candidate C, as in Capable, Creative, Conciliatory, Cautious and Caring.

Neither candidate appears interested in concentrating solely on the state's economy, education, environment, employment, energy and other vital problems. Neither appears to be the potentially respected leader who might actually be able to impact our problems. They are too busy writing on the blackboard of television, how the other person is unfit to hold this office; so there. They simply aspire to occupy the exalted political office. Aside from wanting our vote, do they not even know or care that New Mexican citizens have sincere concerns about all of these problems?

The decision to conduct a gutter-politics approach to campaigning certainly had to be approved in advance by the candidates. Their words, "no thanks" could have been uttered to those who are producing and paying for the atrocious attacks. Clearly, neither candidate considered those two words.

There is no question that New Mexican money is but a tiny portion of that being expended so viciously. The candidates have literally placed our future as a state in the hands of strangers. We should be the decision makers, basing our votes only on which candidate's qualifications and ability to confront the serious problems seem to be the best.

The big bucks — truly millions of dollars — are being spent by wealthy people who do not live or vote in New Mexico, and in some cases may never have set foot in our state. These are simply investments being made to protect their present circumstances and to assure the future wants of the donors. These "investors" are involved with oil, energy, and other products that earn those millions for them.

Some also have specific interest in the important redistricting, traditional in every state during the year after the census. From redistricting may come political decisions that could impact their huge corporate investments. Many of these investors are putting their money where they expect it will be well spent and remembered. New Mexico is just one of multiple states in which they are investing huge sums. It's not education, environment and other issues for which they have concern, but rather the legislation that affects their substantial investments.

One of the candidates will soon be our governor. With just weeks remaining, it is time that A and B denounce the nauseous personal attacks and spend full time describing, if indeed they have them, their own imaginative ideas for our state's problems. It's not too much to expect from those who would sit in the office that can, for better or worse, have an immense impact on our future. We need to hear practical approaches and/or solutions for real problems, minus all baloney, to enable us to make a fully informed choice for our new leadership. We need to see that respected leader, but today none appears present. Grow up, candidates!

Santa Fean David Brown is a retired business owner and former corporate executive.