You should be asking the same question

From Hanabusa Campaign, Dec 30, 2013

On January 2nd, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is throwing his money and his name into the Hawaii Senate race by hosting a fundraiser for Brian Schatz.

Mayor Bloomberg has long championed deep cuts to Social Security and Medicare. He believes the cuts are necessary or entitlements will bankrupt the country. That is an easy position for a billionaire to take.

But it raises the question: Why is a billionaire from New York City, who is committed to cutting entitlements, flying to Hawaii to help a candidate who claims he wants to expand them?

We will never have Bloomberg's billions, but we can stand together to tell him that his way of doing business has no place in Hawaii. Will you contribute $5 today, to let Michael Bloomberg and his political machine know that we are ready to stand up for seniors, families, and students?

This is Hawaii's election, and we know what is important to our community.

Bloomberg spent a lot of of his time in New York making bad decisions for working families, and balancing the budget by pushing cuts to programs for children, education, benefits and pensions. He was on the wrong side of every issue that affect people who work and sacrifice for every dollar while worrying about their future. The very issues that we know are so important to so many families in Hawaii.

He recently dismissed a story about the life of a young homeless girl by saying, "That's just the way God works. Sometimes some of us are lucky, and some of us are not."

He called a housing shortage in New York, which hit low and middle-income people hardest, a "good sign."

I have no doubt that Bloomberg and his wealthy friends are going to raise a lot of money. But I don't think that proves that Hawaii is buying what Bloomberg is selling. Let's tell him, loud and clear, that his money and influence are not going to change our Hawaii values. Let's show that we are ready to stand up and fight for those who Michael Bloomberg ignores.

Your contribution today will help us show Bloomberg that this election belongs to the people of Hawaii - and the issues they care most about.

Mahalo for your support.

Aloha,

Peter Boylan

Communications Director, Hanabusa for Hawaii

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Hanabusa Turns to Mud-Slinging

by Karen from Maui, Daily KOS, Mon, Dec 30, 2013

Hanabusa's emails have taken a desperate turn lately and her campaign has embraced mudslinging.  Thankfully Sen. Brian Schatz has continued to base his campaign on his plans to help the middle class.

Readers of this diary will know that we've been comparing Hanabusa's votes to Schatz's.  We're doing this because there's a real dearth of information on issues from the Hanabusa camp. We think that if voters can objectively compare the candidates' positions, the choice is a no-brainer.

Having personally interviewed Rep Hanabusa and tried to get her on the record, we can tell you it is like trying to catch an eel with greased chopsticks.  Hanabusa seems to fear that if she reveals her real positions, she'll lose votes.

So she's turned to mudslinging.

Last week Hanabusa accused Schatz of being supported by Democratic "kingmakers".  Ironic since she is claiming the senatorial mantle based on being anointed by the ultimate Democratic Kingmaker - Sen Daniel Inouye.

This week she's excoriating Senator Schatz because Michael Bloomberg is supporting him.  Bloomberg is on a mission to support candidates who take climate change seriously (which would not include Hanabusa who voted with the GOP to block the EPA from stronger coal emissions standards):

Bloomberg added that he would do “everything I can to help those people who want to protect the health of our planet get reelected.”

Bloomberg spent a lot of of his time in New York making bad decisions for working families, and balancing the budget by pushing cuts to programs for children, education, benefits and pensions. He was on the wrong side of every issue that affect people who work and sacrifice for every dollar while worrying about their future.

What is particularly funny is that she's trying to pretend she's the progressive.  This is the woman who joined the conservative New Democrat Coalition!  (The Coalition that Wall St. and Pharma Love.)

The Schatz campaign replied -- simply without descending to Hanabusa's level:

Senator Schatz is pleased to have the support of the Mayor given his leadership on common sense gun safety legislation and strong promotion of clean energy production to slow the effects of climate change. Senator Schatz’s priority is always delivering for Hawaii, and effective leadership in the Senate for Hawaii means developing relationships with leaders across the country.

A Champion for Clean Energy

Developing our nation’s clean energy economy is not only a goal for Brian—it’s his passion. He was the face of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, and now he is parlaying his experiences in Hawaii to make meaningful changes to energy policy in the United States Senate...

In the Senate, Brian is working on developing federal policies that will move our nation towards a clean energy economy. For example, he partnered with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Henry Waxman on draft carbon-pricing legislation that would require large carbon pollution emitters to pay for the pollution they emit...

Brian will continue to lead on clean energy, because there is no greater issue for the next generation than energy independence and climate change.

Somehow though, mudslinging seems just a little desperate.

If you can, please donate to Senator Schatz before the December 31 deadline.

---30---

WT: The race has already turned a bit nasty

Funny she didn’t mention this mud: KOS 'Hit Job' on Schatz' Sheep Sex Incident