Who will emerge from a ho-hum field of governor candidates?

Certain vital characteristics are needed to appeal to voters. But so far, no contestant seems to have it all.

- GEORGE SKELTON COLUMNIST CAPITOL JOURNAL

CARLIN STIEHL Los Angeles Times ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA, left, and Xavier Becerra are among the hopefuls.

To be elected governor of California, a candidate needs six vital assets.

Maybe not the entire six-pack, but almost. They include:

• A salable message. How's the candidate going to make life better for the voter?

Specifics, not just poll-generated platitudes. And beating up on President Trump isn't going to be enough for Democrats next year.

Voters will probably be getting migraine headaches from listening to both Trump and his critics.

• Curb appeal. It greatly helps to have matinee-idol looks like Gov. Gavin Newsom. But that gift is rare. Average appearance, verbal skills and a good message will usually suffice.

• Boatloads of money. It costs tens of millions of dollars to market a gubernatorial aspirant's message in far-flung, heavily populated and diverse California.

• A strong desire to win, also known as "fire in the belly." Rather than relaxing in a recliner while watching the Rams or 49ers, the willingness to fly off to beg strangers for campaign donations.

• A thick skin. Top-tier candidates are constantly attacked by rivals and often covered by the news media in ways deemed unfair. But overreacting can destroy a candidacy.

• A strong record of public service to show voters you're committed and won't need lots of time with training wheels.

There also are other assets that can help. For example: youth.

"We are, in fact, going through a generational change in American politics," says longtime Democratic strategist Darry Dragow. "That's inevitable. New generations of voters have not been widely represented in government. The boomers have held political power for a very long time." Baby boomers are roughly ages 60 through 79 -born after World War II, between 1946 and 1964.