It's almost over.

After six mind-numbing months, it looks like the Democratic presidential primary will finally wind down with tomorrow's contests in South Dakota and Montana — although the campaigning and positioning and posturing actually started something like a year before the first primary vote was cast.

Even for an avowed political junkie like yours truly, it's more than time to end it. I have no idea how Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton feel, but I'm exhausted.

If there is any danger in all this primary election drama, I think the most unfortunate one is that so many people will share my exhaustion that they have stopped caring.

Of course, given the passion that has been whipped up by the Democratic primary, that seems unlikely. Certainly, it takes time for the flecks of foam to dry from the lips of the rabid. But there has been something about this very lengthy, often bitter contest that leaves one feeling battered.

And, once Mr. McCain and the winner of the Democratic primary — presumably, at this point, Mr. Obama — start in on each other, I sincerely doubt things political will lighten up any.

In fact, if what we've seen to date is any indication, this presidential election bids fair to be one of the ugliest fights in a recent memory filled with particularly ugly fights. Because this time, if Mr. Obama is the nominee, we will all be subjected to appeals to some of our basest instincts, stuff many thought we had put firmly behind us a long time ago.

Yes, I am talking about race.

It will be there, mark my words. No doubt Mr. McCain will loftily condemn (maybe) the insinuations of the 527s that do the dirty work of hurling the poison, but it will definitely be there.

The only real question is whether we Americans will ignore it as we ought. And the answer to that question, as it will be revealed on November 5th, will illustrate whether or not that stuff is behind us after all.