Dear Mazie …
By ddepledge
Former congressman Ed Case has asked U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, his rival in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, to appear with him at presentations across the state.
Case had made a similar request in January urging the Democratic Party of Hawaii to sponsor the presentations.
From Case, who shared his appeal to Hirono with his supporters:
Hitting the road with me across the state during your time home will give voters statewide a wealth of “useful information” on critical issues like our economy, budget and Social Security and Medicare and on each of us as their next Senator. I hope you agree that your spokesperson’s “meaningful reach” comment was not meant to restrict our joint appearances to one or two carefully scripted TV debates, excluding voters in communities throughout Hawai’i from sizing us up personally.
Betsy Lin, Hirono’s campaign manager, issued the same statement the campaign released last month:
It’s important for people to hear directly from the candidates — and for the candidates to hear directly from the people of Hawaii — which is why Congresswoman Hirono holds frequent coffee talks and other events around the state.
During the campaign she will participate in constructive forums which provide voters useful information, have meaningful reach and do not conflict with her congressional duties. We will be releasing our proposed criteria for evaluating joint appearances.
Political Radar
February 1st, 2012 at 5:47 pm
I don’t see any reason for a debate between Ed Case and Mazie Hirono. They’ve both been Congressional Representatives and we know their positions on the issues.
Mazie Hirono opposed the Iraq war from the get-go and has worked to disentangle us from these wars we’re in and put our $s to work at home on educations, Social Security, and above all JOB PROGRAMS. In this, she has been stymied by the GOP majority in the House and the Blue Dog Democrats that vote with the GOP.
Ed Case is a self-described “Blue Dog” who, along with other “fiscal conservatives” in the GOP want to cut everything — except the military.
Pretty easy decision for those of us who would like to see more infrastructure bills to generate jobs – Mazie Hirono and cross the fingers we can get a majority over the GOP and their supporters the Blue Dogs.
February 1st, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Also, while I think a debate between Case and Hirono would be a waste of time (since they are both known quantities) I DO think a debate for the House Seat District II (Mazie’s old seat) would be very informational.
None of those candidates have held statewide office. None of them are known on the neighbor islands. So I think a debate between District 2 candidates held on each neighbor island would be a good way for us to figure out who to vote for.
Websites and brochures are all about “oh I support motherhood and apple pie” but a debate with a good moderator could elicit some sharp lines. From the Civil Beat questionnaire we know their positions on social issues but I’d like to see the full spectrum of their positions.
February 1st, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Debate is good in every election, not a waste of time. Don’t really care what color dogs they are, but would like to know how each thinks they can do a better job, and what they are going to do for me. Maybe I heard it before, but I want to hear it again.
PaiaGirl’s argument for debates in District 2 applies equally to the senate race. A good moderator can bring out current issues as they apply to the world we live in today. Case has run in a senate race before, but not Hirono and I’d like to know what more she thinks she can do as a senator (compared to what she has done in congress the last few years).
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:25 am
@PalaGirl – I think debates are very valuable and some of us may be new to Hawaii or new to CD2 and may not be as familiar with Ed or Mazie’s record as you are. I want to hear them debate. In absence of any debate and learning new info about the candidates, then my mind is already made up and I will vote for Ed Case. Thought you would like to know the outcome of the position you advocate, especially since you are a Mazie supporter who doesn’t feel debates are worth the voters’ time.
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:50 am
I hope that all the debates include Rafael del Castillo in the CD2 debates. A lot of people are interested in his candidacy.
February 2nd, 2012 at 5:11 am
I understand why Mazie wants to restrict debates. She does not perform well unless she is in a format that allows her to resort to scripted responses. Lingle really exposed Mazie’s weaknesses during the 2002 gubernatorial debates and Lingle will certainly do it again if Mazie advances to the general election. Ed is articulate, but he tends to get too caught up in the “I” syndrome. That is where he loses a lot of effectiveness in debates.
In the CD-2 race, debates would probably not benefit either of the two front runners. For Mufi, it would remind people of the 2010 gubernatorial race which is still pretty fresh on the minds of voters. For Tulsi, it would show her inexperience and why sending a 30 year old to the U.S. Congress is probably not in the best interest of the State.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:09 am
“Hirono’s campaign manager, issued the same statement the campaign released last month.” Ha ha ha! Typical Lazy Mazie “action.” Too dang lazy to even rewrite last month’s statement. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:33 am
Debate Ed Mazie.. Paia girl seems like she is a hack for the Hirono camp. Advice to Hirono camp.. Get her ready to debate, Hawaii wants to choose!
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Look at the republicans on their Presidential Debates. Both should get in a ring and duke it out.
Mazie is not a person who speaks much. Case’d closed. It would seem the one who is endorsed by Senior Senator Inouye is debate enough without much words being said between the two candidates.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Can one of the frequent Republicans posting comments here advise us on what Lingle’s policy is towards debates with John Carroll? I hear crickets.
Lingle sees no advantage in debating Carroll; Hirono sees no advantage in debating Ed Case. But only Hirono gets beat up for her reluctance. Double standard much?
Ed likes talking. He and his supporters complain, on the other hand, when people criticize his actual actions. No wonder he wants a lot of debates. So he can run his waha and try to smooth talk his way back into office. It’s his only chance.