Withstanding attacks from the opposing party is hard enough, but things really ain't good when politicians on the same side of the aisle start predicting your demise.

The Sacramento Bee notes that in an e-mail seeking donations, LA district attorney and attorney general candidate Steve Cooley suggested to supporters that he's the guy for the job because he's the "only Republican ahead in the polls and the only candidate strong enough to stand up to Jerry Brown and the Democratic establishment during the next four years."

Ouch.

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You've probably seen it by now, but just in case you were out of the country or in a coma yesterday, check out this awkward moment from yesterday's Women's Conference sit-down moderated by Matt Lauer. The "Today" show host was uncharacteristically tough on his subjects, pushing Brown and Whitman to pull their negative ads. Brown hedged a little, then agreed. Whitman demurred, and then just looked horribly uncomfortable as she tried to smile her way through the audience's booing.

She reiterated her refusal to pull the attack ads today. Asked by a FOX News host whether she wished she would have answered the question differently: 

 "I wouldn't. I really wouldn't because Californians deserve a debate on the issues and on the record. I have an obligation to engage in that with the voters of California. Jerry Brown has had a 40-year career in politics and we have to examine that record."   

Today, Team Brown turned Whitman's refusal to pull negative ads into its newest campaign ad. Seriously.