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CHICAGO, ILL. (AP) -- The governor's race is barely under way, but the name-calling and finger-pointing are in full swing on the Democrats' side.

Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes are duking it out months ahead of the February Democratic primary.

Quinn has called Hynes an "ankle-biter," accused him of sitting on the "sidelines" and chastised him for trying to "deceive" voters.

Hynes has swiped at Quinn's tax proposal, criticized him for having "no plan" in a worsening budget crisis and sent him a dozen 2009 wall calendars so he won't be stuck in the past.

The two also have dueling TV ads touting their tax plans.

Robert Rich, the director of the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs, says the back and forth could backfire and be a turnoff to voters.

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