Most political insiders thought it was close, possibly a draw. Both camps claimed victory. Some viewers, disappointed by its sandbox tone, turned it off. Whatever it may have been, this week’s televised debate between Gov. John McKernan and Rep. Joseph Brennan was not constructive or enlightening. It revealed little about these men that the state did not already know. It told voters nothing about the future.

This campaign needs to change, dramatically.

The negativism and bickering, the quibbling between two men who would lead this state through troubled times, does not inspire public confidence. If there was a credible third-party candidate in the race, his or her hour would have arrived Tuesday night.

Maine is headed into the deep freeze this winter. Oil supplies may be short. Prices are soaring. There is anxiety everywhere in this state, but its prospective leaders chose instead to quarrel over a fiscal mess that every political pro in Augusta had a hand in creating.

Maine, one of the 10 poorest states in the country, came in fifth in the nation in a Tax Foundation study of state tax collections per capita. If the Foundation had computed the standings based on per capita ability to pay, Maine would have ranked higher. With their people being drained by state taxes, did the two men who want to lead the state discuss ways to slash spending, reduce inefficiency or make government more accountable to the people?

No.

They talked about each other.

Nobody cares.

Brennan won points on aggressiveness.

McKernan scored better on content.

But it was a marginal exercise.

These candidates should have the venom out of their systems. There are two more debates. It’s time these men looked to the future. That’s where the state is headed, with or without them.