Now that state Attorney General Rob McKenna has spent four years leading attacks against meth dealers, identity thieves and sex predators, and after his two triumphs before the U.S. Supreme Court, it is mystifying that anyone would use the experience issue to campaign against him.

John Ladenburg -- the Pierce County executive and former county prosecuting attorney who himself has glowing credentials -- is barking up the wrong tree as he points to his greater time spent in courtrooms. McKenna, as the state's top cop, has performed admirably, aggressively and ethically. This Republican tackles this job with a badgerlike tenacity, and he proved his nonpartisan nature last week when he sued the state Republican Party for alleged campaign law violations.