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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The deepening sex-politics scandal stemming from President Clinton's conduct with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky may seem remote from California politics. But it may actually have a significant impact on the races this year for the state's two top offices, the governorship and the U.S. Senate.

The reason is that the pervasive media attention devoted to the scandal has drowned out a myriad of other issues in both races, and Republicans are attempting, however indirectly, to taint their Democratic opponents with the stain of the scandal surrounding Clinton, a Democrat.

For example, GOP gubernatorial contender Dan Lungren says the cornerstone of his campaign is character -- an ambiguous term that he defines in partisan terms -- and he suggests that his opponent Gray Davis is tainted because Davis receives fund-raising help from Clinton, a Democrat. Lungren notes that Davis described Clinton's conduct with Lewinsky as "reprehensible." If that be true, Lungren argues, how come Davis remains politically allied with the president?

In the Senate race, Republican Matt Fong has criticized incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer, a highly vocal feminist, for her "deafening silence" in the Clinton scandal. In past sex scandals, such as those involving former Oregon Sen. Bob Packwood and the hearings of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Boxer took a leading role as critic, Fong says, so why not in the case involving Clinton?

Boxer, whose daughter is married to Hillary Rodham Clinton's younger brother, has publicly called the president's behavior wrong. But, like Lungren, Fong says Boxer should eschew fund-raising help from the president.

There are sharp differences between Fong and Boxer on major issues, such as education and the environment, for example. But those differences are not being articulated to voters -- at least, not yet -- because of the intense media attention devoted to the Clinton- Lewinksy scandal.

Similarly, Lungren and Davis differ dramatically on critical issues -- abortion immediately comes to mind -- but those differences are being blurred in the hubbub.

The Senate race is a dead heat, and the gubernatorial contest appears to be tightening from the once-commanding lead held by Davis. It's unclear whether the Washington sex scandals are the reason for this, but it must be at least partly responsible, given that this topic dominates the reporters' questioning of all four candidates.

But the partisan use of such an emotional topic is dangerous indeed, and it could backfire against Republicans. First, voters have said overwhelmingly in polls that they are tired of hearing about Clinton and Lewinsky; candidates who focus on the issue do so at their peril. Second, voters don't seem to take kindly to getting moral advice from ambitious politicians. Third, does the fact that Clinton had an affair with a woman less than half his age make any difference to California voters, whose top concerns are education, the economy and crime?

Registration figures show there are more Democrats than Republicans. Are swing Democrats going to vote Republican in California because they are offended at Clinton's behavior? It seems unlikely.

Some consultants say a more realistic scenario is that Democrats, disgusted with the president, don't go to the polls at all, thus giving an edge to Republicans.

But the reverse is equally possible: Democrats, outraged at the partisan nature of the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee's handling of the evidence against Clinton, could be highly motivated to go to the polls to punish Republicans.

It's only six weeks to Election Day, and either one of these scenarios could be proven valid.

It's time to get out the crystal ball.

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