HIRONO REFUSES TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL NEIGHBOR ISLAND FORUMS AND DEBATES

News Release from www.Lingle2012.com

HONOLULU - Mazie Hirono is refusing to debate Governor Linda Lingle on all of the neighbor islands, depriving people across the state of a chance to evaluate the U.S. Senate candidates side-by-side on the issues important to their communities.

"Hirono's disrespect for neighbor island residents is a sign of arrogance," Lingle Campaign Manager Bob Lee said. "How can people trust her to represent them in the United States Senate when she isn't willing to defend her ideas?" Lee asked.

"I guess she doesn't want to have to explain why she hasn't passed even one bill during her six years in Congress and why she failed to show up for work and missed 133 votes since January while Hawaii's other congresswoman missed only one vote," Lee added.

Hirono has missed five candidate debates and forums since the Primary Election.

In clear contrast, Governor Lingle has committed to over 20 debates and forums around the state, including three on Maui, one on Kauai and two on the Big Island.

The only debate before a live audience Hirono agreed to for the entire campaign was hosted last week by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and various partner organizations, and will be aired on Olelo Community Television on September 13 at 8:30 p.m. (VIEW 54), September 16 at 10:30 a.m.(VIEW 54), September 19 at 4:30 p.m. (FOCUS 49) and September 30 at 8:00 a.m. (VIEW 54).

A complete video of the forum is also available on LL12, channel 110 or LL12HD, channel 1110 on Oceanic Time-Warner Digital Cable, or online at: http://www.lingle2012.com/2012/09/forum-between-mazie-hirono-and-gov-linda-lingle/.

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