With the general election just over two weeks away, we hope someof the state campaigns will take on a more positive tone in thefinal days.

The latest to turn a bit nasty is the race for state attorneygeneral. Last week the Republican nominee, Scott Newton, beganshowing a videotape of his opponent’s campaign manager pulling upNewton’s political signs.

While Morgan Shands, campaign manager for Democrat Jim Hood,admitted he’s the man on the tape, he maintains the Newton signshad been placed in front of Hood’s own downtown Jacksonheadquarters. Shands said the videotape is part of a Newtonconspiracy.

Regardless of which campaign did what, the voters of Mississippiwant — and deserve — better than this pettiness from thecandidates for the state’s top law enforcement position.

The rhetoric could also be toned down in the governor’s race.Incumbent Democrat Ronnie Musgrove and Republican challenger HaleyBarbour are spending a king’s ransom to sling mud at each other ontelevision.

Unfortunately, some of that mud is bound to stick on Mississippivoters. That is likely to worsen the state’s already serious caseof voter apathy.