U.S. Senate Candidates Case and Hirono Will Debate on Hawaii News Now

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Hawaii Reporter
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Congressman Ed Case, D-Hawaii (2002-2007) and Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, will come together for a televised debate on Thursday, July 26 between 6:30 pm and 8 pm on KHNL, KGMB and KFVE., Hawaii News Now announced today.

Despite invitations from KHON TV 2 News and KITV News, this is the only statewide network television debate that Hirono has agreed to.  Both she and Case hope to replaces U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka after he retires later this year.

Case has criticized Hirono for “hiding behind her handlers.” She originally agreed to participate in five forums and turned down all statewide network television requests along with invitations from several business and community organizations.

Rick Blangiardi, general manager of Hawaii News Now, said: “This is a testimony to the quality of our news operation. The chance to showcase these two qualified candidates for one of the most critical positions in government is something we’re proud to be a part of.”

Hawaii News Now will also host a 90-minute debate on July 12 for candidates in the Second Congressional District. That will air between 6:30 pm to 8 pm on the network’s three stations.

Hawaii News Now notes the debate will come just 16 days before the August 11 primary election.

The winner of the Democratic primary will most likely take on former Gov. Linda Lingle, a Republican, who served as Hawaii’s governor from 2002 to 2010. Lingle also was Maui’s mayor and council member. Former State Senator and GOP Party Chair John Carroll is challenging Lingle in the Primary election and has asked Lingle repeatedly to debate him. Lingle, who is the best financed candidate of the four contenders for the seat, has ignored Carroll’s requests.

Yesterday, Carroll’s campaign informed the media that Smart Business Hawaii, a business advocacy organization, has for the second time offered to host the two at a forum or candidate debate.

“The people deserve to see the candidates discuss the issues and see what they stand for,” said SBH President, Sam Slom. “That’s why we have offered to host a public debate with John and Linda. We think both primary debates are important.”
Carroll said “Lingle’s decision to hide behind mainland PAC money commercials, rather than present herself in an unscripted environment shows that she is not ready for the U.S. Senate.”
“How is she going to accomplish anything in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. Senate if she’ afraid to exchange questions with me here in Hawaii?” asked John Carroll. “it’s also unfair to Republican voters to not get any straight answers to the many questioins about Lingle that are being dodged.”
Carroll maintains quite a few of Lingle’s positions are the opposite of traditional Repblican principles, including her views on right to life, the Jones Act and Akaka Bill, “so she doesn’t want anything on the record, that Republicans might reject about her candidacy.”
“How can people vote intelligently if they don’t even know what the candidates stand for?” asked Carroll. “This is supposed to be a Republican primary, not a bi-partisan primary.”

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  1. I have had your speakers on my laptop for days it wont go away please tell me how to get rid of it . Thankyou Sandra Montgomery

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