Duke vs. Neil: Compare and Decide
It’s a solid bet that Duke Aiona will never mail out a campaign flier that calls attention to his opponent’s wife, beard, birthplace and pedigree. It’s just not his way of campaigning.
The now-infamous “Compare and Decide” flier from Mufi Hannemann, of course, was the turning point in the Democratic primary for governor.
Aiona and Neil Abercrombie have even less in common than did Hannemann and Abercrombie — other than a surname that begins with the letter “A” — and voters can expect to hear a lot about that over the next six weeks.
Civil Beat compares the candidates so you can decide.
First, let’s see what Aiona is up to this week.
Meet Duke Aiona — Again
Many Hawaii voters probably saw more campaign signs for Aiona than they did the actual candidate during the primary campaign.
While not entirely absent from the trail, Aiona didn’t debate, rarely participated in candidate forums and relied on groups like the Republican Governors Association to run Internet, radio and TV spots on his behalf.
Aiona actually spent most of the week leading up to primary night in California, helping one of his kids start college.
Voters will now see a heck of a lot more of the candidate.
Aiona’s first is already airing. Beginning Tuesday, he has “Connecting Communities” events and sign-waving in Waianae, Aiea and Waipahu on Oahu; Kona on the Big Island, and Wailuku on Maui.
Aiona may benefit from having laid low. Though he has been lieutenant governor for eight years, his time in the limelight — as with most LG’s — has been limited. He may plausibly appear somewhat fresh-faced.
Abercrombie’s mug, by contrast, has been all over TV, print and the web, and his voice on radio. After four decades in public service, some voters may think they already know him and have tuned him out.
Meet Neil Abercrombie — Again
But we’ll be seeing more of Abercrombie too. He and running mate Brian Schatz conducted “unity events” on the major Hawaiian islands Sunday and Monday.
No other events were listed on Abercrombie’s as of Monday afternoon. But he’s already posted a featuring the two candidates together.
“You are looking at the team for 2010 for a new day in Hawaii,” says Abercrombie. “I couldn’t be happier to have Brian here with me.”
“People want a government that will attack the problems Hawaii is facing and not attack each other,” says Schatz, looking like he just won a free trip to Disneyland.
“Right on,” says Abercrombie.
Hug. Flash shaka sign.
Now, back to comparing the candidates and how the distinctions may materialize in the campaign.
Platform
Abercrombie is among the most liberal of Democrats: pro-labor, pro-environment, supporter of civil unions, opponent of war. Aiona is among the more conservative of Republicans: pro-family values, staunchly against raising taxes, favoring small business, a law-and-order candidate.
Both want to fix public schools and the university, but Abercrombie has both education unions behind him. Both want Hawaii to move away from fossil fuels, but Aiona has the Lingle-Aiona administration’s Clean Energy Initiative — the goal of 70-percent renewable energy by 2030 — to run on.
Abercrombie’s “A New Day In Hawaii” is a 43-page of his ideas for Hawaii.
Aiona’s stated are more modest in length.
Experience
Abercrombie has won 10 congressional races in 20 years by comfortable margins. He creamed Hannemann in the primary, and his campaign team features both old-school veterans and political newbies.
Abercrombie has also run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate and successfully for state House and Senate and Honolulu City Council. In 1986 he won a special election to fill a vacancy in the 1st Congressional District on the same day he lost the primary for the same seat.
Aiona has run for only one office — lieutenant governor — and won twice. The 2002 race was close at first but not in the end. The 2006 race was a walk in Ala Moana Park.
Abercrombie has been a member of the dominant political party in Hawaii and served in both the majority and minority in Congress and under presidents of both parties. Aiona has been part of a Republican administration dealing with a Democrat-controlled Legislature.
Both candidates have spent most of their professional lives working in government. (Aiona was a city prosecutor, city attorney and state judge).
While Aiona is trying to get Abercrombie to commit to one debate per week, six in all (the Abercrombie camp is considering the offer), Aiona is not known for his impeccable locution. It’s risky to share a live microphone with the quick-witted Abercrombie.
Then again, Aiona’s more modest style has its appeal, and it may benefit his campaign by having him seen more on televisions in living rooms.
Aiona and running mate Lynn Finnegan are also an attractive ticket. Only 15 years apart, they look they’d be comfortable at a barbecue.
(The local GOP has a lot of younger operatives, bringing enthusiasm to the party and races.)
Abercrombie and Schatz, who are 35 years apart in age, resemble a mentor and mentee.
Personal
Abercrombie, 72, is competitive, passionate, loud, intellectual, energy — and now a listener. Aiona, 55 is competitive, passionate, quiet, common sense, tranquility — and now out from under Lingle’s wing.
Abercrombie is balding, bespectacled and bearded. Aiona has a full head of hair, sometimes wears glasses and shaved his mustache before running for governor.
Abercrombie lifts weights. Aiona plays basketball.
Aiona is a devout Catholic. Abercrombie rarely talks about religion.
Aiona and wife Vivian have four children. Abercrombie and wife Nancie Caraway make regular visits to Caraway’s mom at Maunalani Nursing Center, and have a cat, Che, and dog, Kanoa.
Voter Fatigue?
Hawaii has been in primary season since late February, when Abercrombie officially resigned from Congress to run for governor.
The special election to fill his seat followed in May, Hannemann and others resigned to run in July, the “Compare and “Decide” mailer came out in August and the primary was just three days ago.
It’s been an exhausting political season.
Will voters give the general election much attention? Will it be anti-climatic compared with the primary?
We’ll know soon enough — it’s only 43 days away.
