His ads not only hurt Harman, they also produced a backlash against Checchi. Davis, who stayed out of the early exchanges because he had less money, became the beneficiary. As first Harman and then Checchi sunk, he rose. Still, there are some political consultants who believe the changing political environment means there will be more balance between positive and negative ads this fall. Democratic pollster Geoff Garin said that until recently there was little incentive for candidates to run positive ads about their records because voters were cynical about politicians or government's ability to solve problems.
Voters are much more willing to give credit where credit it due.
Harman's failure in the primary raises questions about the power of the women's vote. So far this decade, California Democrats have nominated women for governor in 1990 and 1994, for two Senate seats in 1992 and for the Senate again in 1994 and now 1996. Women account for 55 percent to 60 percent of the typical Democratic primary electorate. Harman appeared to have a built-in advantage against two male opponents. Harman's advisers say the barrage of negative ads by Checchi destroyed any chance she might have had to mobilize female voters, although her own mistakes hurt her as well.