I just got out of an interview with Kern County Sheriff Mack Wimbish and his challenger, Donny Youngblood. They were speaking before the editorial board of The Bakersfield Californian.

I've covered some pretty nasty political races in my time, so it was rather nice to see this pair disagree with each other so affectionately.

In fact, I don't think I've ever seen two political adversaries more affectionate in my life.

When the interview was done, Wimbish planted a kiss on Youngblood — true it was on the back of the head — but it was definately a kiss.

“That was payback for the hug I gave him last week,” Youngblood said.

Wimbish and Youngblood can't agree on much about how the Sheriff's department has been run for the last four years. Both have people who love or hate them with equal passion.

But at least this pair of political adversaries knows how to get along.

James Burger