Senator Ige Has No New Solutions After The Last Four Years

David Ige Has Failed To Offer A Different Policy Vision While Hawaii Families Demand Change

News Release from Hawaii Republican Party

HONOLULU (October 21, 2014) -- With the final days of the campaign season here, it has been very clear throughout the campaign that Senator David Ige offers no new solutions other than the last four years of the Abercrombie-Ige policy agenda. But with all the problems facing Hawaii, the least of which is a soaring cost of living, voters will be looking for the candidate with detailed proposals to bring real change to the Aloha State.

"Hawaii continues to have the highest cost of living for middle-class families, while being one of the worst places to do business, and yet Senator David Ige offers nothing new except his same failed policies of the last four years. It has become clear Duke Aiona is the only candidate with the real road map to bring the change Hawaii voters are demanding." --Hawaii Republican Party Communications Advisor Ted Kwong

BACKGROUND:

In The Final Debate Last Week, Senator Ige Declined To Name A Single Policy Where He Differed From Governor Abercrombie When Asked. "Asked what policies of the Abercrombie administration that they would reverse, both Aiona and Hannemann cited the Hawaii Health Connector, the struggling insurance exchange under the federal health care reform law. Ige, who defeated Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the primary, said that for him it is not about reversing policies, but emphasizing issues such as empowering school principals and teachers to improve public education." (Derrick DePledge, "Rivals spar over raising taxes," Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10/16/14)

The Primary Debates Highlighted That There Were “Few Major Policy Differences” Between Ige And Abercrombie. “The gubernatorial debate was brought to the Big Island on Wednesday as Gov. Neil Abercrombie squared off against challenger state Sen. David Ige in Waimea. With few major policy differences, both sought to make the case for their leadership abilities and knowledge of neighbor island needs.” (Tom Callis, “Abercrombie, Ige Hold First Big Island Debate,” Hawaii Tribune-Herald, 7/24/14)

On A Host Of Issues And “Their Visions Of Hawaii’s Future,” Ige And Abercrombie Offered Few Differences. “A debate between Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige on Tuesday revealed few major differences in their visions of Hawaii's future. Both Democratic candidates want to solve Hawaii's housing problems, support Native Hawaiian sovereignty and improve the state's troubled health exchange. They also both want to keep gambling out of Hawaii and improve its public education system.” (“Abercrombie, Ige Debate Blame For Hawaii's Issues,”Associated Press, 6/24/14)

• “But The Primary Rivals Are Split More On Who’s To Blame For Hawaii’s Issues Than They Are On How To Solve Those Problems.” (“Abercrombie, Ige Debate Blame For Hawaii's Issues,” Associated Press, 6/24/14)

Political Analyst Colin Moore Noted Ige Was Hard-Pressed “To Articulate A Different Vision From Gov. Abercrombie.” “‘Gov. Abercrombie was trying to show that he was calm and confident and in charge, and of course Sen. Ige kept saying the same thing he's been saying throughout the campaign, which is that his administration lacks leadership,’ said University of Hawaii political science professor Colin Moore. Ige used the phrase ‘lack of leadership’ several times during the debate. We asked Moore if the strategy works. ‘He clearly thinks its going to work. And I think the challenge for him in this debate, one that perhaps he really didn't meet this time was to articulate a different vision from Gov. Abercrombie,’ said Moore.” (Ben Gutierrez, “Abercrombie, Ige Spar In Final Televised Debate On Hawaii News Now,” Hawaii News Now, 7/9/14)

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