2014 Hawaii elections: May campaign ads roundup
by Rachelle Chang, Better Hawaii, June 10, 2014
In these early days of political campaigning for the 2014 Hawaii elections, I was curious to see which issues our Hawaii candidates chose to focus on – while they can take their time with their message, without the distraction of debates.
I decided to take note of the radio and television ads produced by Hawaii candidates running for US Congress and Governor, and write down my first responses to their messages. Note: I’m a nonpartisan voter and I’m not affiliated with any political party.
These are the Hawaii TV and radio political ads that broadcast in May 2014, alphabetized by candidate; and my responses to the ads. For those of you who are interested, I’ve included transcripts of the TV and radio ads at the end of the post. Please let me know if I’ve missed a major ad campaign.
* Governor Neil Abercrombie, who is running for governor, started his campaign in April with “Values,” a political ad focusing on early education. In May, his second political ad, “Priorities,” focused on senior services. There is a TV ad that spotlights Mr. Saito and a narrated radio ad. In the TV ad, Abercrombie claims, “During the past three years, we’ve been able to get more assistance for in-home care. Because all our Mr. Saito’s deserve to be stay at home dads, if they want to be.”
My response to Abercrombie’s ads: I think there’s nothing wrong with assisted living or down-sizing to a home you can afford and maintain. People belong in their own homes as long as they can take care of themselves; but if they need care, they belong where someone can help care for them. The male narrator’s voice in the radio ad was slightly ominous. Significantly, Abercrombie doesn’t talk about how we’re going to pay for this (and early education too).
* Duke Aiona, who is running for governor, got a late start and ran his first TV ad campaign in late May. In it, he focuses on his leadership philosophy and his experience as a family judge. He tells us about his background and prominently features his grandchild and children. Aiona declares, “Watching my family together puts life into perspective. They’re one of the reasons I want to be governor. When I was a judge in family court, I saw first-hand how hardship affects families, how circumstances could tear lives apart.”
My response to Aiona’s ad: While the ad tells me about Aiona’s experience as a family judge and establishes him as a family man, it doesn’t tell me what his priorities are or where he stands on important issues. I’d rather know what Aiona accomplished as lieutenant governor and what he wants to accomplish as governor. I also found the music and Aiona’s narration too slow and measured. It felt more like a tribute than a call to support him.
* Honolulu City Councilmember Stanley Chang, who is running for US Representative, ran his first TV ad in May, focusing on Hawaii’s firsts and his priorities. Chang concludes, “Today, I want to represent Hawaii in that same bold tradition, with universal preschool for our keiki, labeling GMOs, making Hawaii energy-independent, and never, ever cutting Social Security for our kupuna.”
My response to Chang’s ad: It’s generic. There’s nothing about his background, accomplishments on the City Council, or qualifications for Congress. Chang seems ambitious and seems to want to please everyone, but all of those all of those projects will cost a lot of money – and except for Social Security, they are state issues.
* US Representative Colleen Hanabusa, who is running for US Senate, ran two TV ads in May, “Obligation,” focusing on her obligation to help others, and “Stand Up for our Kupuna,” focusing on Social Security and Medicare. In “Obligation,” she states, “With every opportunity, comes obligation, to help others, to give back.” In “Stand Up for our Kupuna,” she proclaims, “There are no issues closer to my heart than Social Security and Medicare.” She also ran her first radio ad, “Waianae to Washington,” focusing on her Waianae roots. She reflects, “It was a good way to grow up. It was the best way to grow up, around people and traditions and cultures.”
My response to Hanabusa’s ads: Other candidates may have started earlier, but Hanabusa started May off on a strong note. I thought the ads were professional and well-done. But aside from her working-class roots, Social Security is the only accomplishment and priority that she focuses on. I want to know her other accomplishments and priorities in Congress – and why she is giving up her job as US Representative to run for US Senator.
* Hawaii Senator Donna Mercado Kim, who is running for US Senate, started May with a TV ad called “Happy Mother’s Day” that focused on her mother, her humble beginnings, and Social Security. “We have an obligation to all seniors in Hawaii. You have my pledge to protect Social Security and Medicare,” she promises.
My response to Kim’s ad: I learned that Kim overcame the challenge of being poor to become successful and civic-minded. But I think that she piggy-backed on Mother’s Day to send her message. Her commitment to protecting Social Security makes me ask: do families have an obligation to seniors, or is it government’s responsibility?
* US Senator Brian Schatz, who is running for US Senate, started his campaign in March with a political ad about Social Security that featured his father-in-law. In May, his second political ad, “Two Reasons,” focused on gun safety laws and his children. He states, “In the Senate, I voted to require background checks for gun purchases, close the gun show loophole, and ban assault weapons.”
My response to Schatz’s ad: I’m puzzled; I thought that gun ownership is a states’ rights issue. I like the fact that Schatz tells us his voting record, but I don’t see this as a hot-button issue for Hawaii. The ad seems more like a way to align himself with President Obama (there’s a photo of them together) and introduce his children, than tell us about himself and his priorities.
There are five months until the November election. What issues to you think are important? Is there a candidate who has already earned your vote?
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Here are transcripts of the TV and radio ads. If I’ve made a mistake in any of the transcripts, please let me know.
Abercrombie “Priorities” TV ad: “[Woman:] My father was worried he’d have to leave his home and move into some facility. [Narrator:] Mr. Saito loves being home and taking care of things, but he also needs help. And it’s more than his family was equipped to give. [Abercrombie:] During the past three years, we’ve been able to get more assistance for in-home care. Because all our Mr. Saito’s deserve to be stay at home dads, if they want to be. [Narrator:] The right priorities, the right families, the right governor.”
Abercrombie “Priorities” radio ad: “[Narrator:] For many of our older friends and neighbors, the golden years present some real challenges. Sometimes they need physical therapy or help with chores around the home, or maybe just somebody to help them to take their pills at the right time. The children can give them the love and the concern they need, but you know they’re at work or busy looking after their own kids in their own home. And that’s when our kupuna begin to worry that they’ll have to give up their independence, leave their home, or maybe move to a facility of some kind. Neil Abercrombie saw both his mother and mother-in-law go through all those same worries and that’s why even as he was struggling to get the state’s budget back into the black, Neil found additional resources to expand care for our kupuna and bring essential services to seniors in their own homes. Because that’s where they want to be and that’s where they belong.”
Aiona “Leadership” TV ad: “[Aiona:] There is a great quote: ‘Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.’ For me, the next generation is Riley, my granddaughter; my children, Makana, Ohulani, Kulia, Kaimilani. I grew up in Pearl City, but now we live in Kapolei. My house can get crazy, but we love having everyone over. Watching my family together puts life into perspective. They’re one of the reasons I want to be governor. When I was a judge in family court, I saw first-hand how hardship affects families, how circumstances could tear lives apart. What if it were my family? My time as a judge was very humbling. I learned early on that decisions I made had a profound impact on people’s lives, that every decision required balance, respect, and honesty. I learned my responsibility as a leader was never about my position or my beliefs alone, or that [of] my family, or every family. Good leadership is about the next generation.”
Chang “Firsts” TV ad: “[Chang:] Here in Hawaii, we were the first state to legalize a woman’s right to choose. The first in comprehensive health care coverage. Our Supreme Court was the first to recognize marriage equality. Today, I want to represent Hawaii in that same bold tradition, with universal preschool for our keiki, labeling GMOs, making Hawaii energy-independent, and never, ever cutting Social Security for our kupuna. I’m Stanley Chang and I approve this message.”
Hanabusa “Obligation” TV ad: “[Hanabusa:] I was very fortunate to be born and raised in Waianae. We didn’t have many privileges, but I learned from my parents, family, and neighbors the values of Hawaii: how to work hard and do your best with every opportunity you have. And I know with every opportunity, comes obligation, to help others, to give back, to represent Hawaii well. I’m Colleen Hanabusa, I approve this message, and I’m proud to work for you.”
Hanabusa “From Waianae to Washington” radio ad: “[Narrator:] From the Waianae Coast to Washington, DC Colleen Hanabusa’s life has been a journey. Growing up behind her family’s gas station on the Leeward side of Oahu, Colleen learned first-hand the value of hard work and service from her parents, and the spirit of Hawaii from her neighbors and community. [Hanabusa:] It was a good way to grow up. It was the best way to grow up, around people and traditions and cultures. It was good then too that if you had a full-time job and you worked hard, you could raise a family, buy a house, and help the next generation succeed. [Narrator:] Now completing her second elected term in Congress, Colleen wants to represent us in the US Senate. [Hanabusa:] You know, a good living, a good education, a good job, a good home. Those aren’t things that should belong only to the privileged and the fortunate. That’s what I’m fighting for in Washington. [Narrator:] From Waianae to Washington, Colleen works for us. [Hanabusa:] I’m Colleen Hanabusa, and I approve this message. Mahalo.”
Hanabusa “Stand Up for our Kupuna” TV ad: “There are no issues closer to my heart than Social Security and Medicare. In my two terms in Congress, I have voted again and again and again to protect Social Security and Medicare and prevent changes that would reduce benefits. I’m proud of my record and I will continue to stand up for our kupuna. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Protecting our seniors isn’t something you play politics with ever. I’m Colleen Hanabusa and I approve this message.”
Kim “Mother’s Day” TV ad: “[Kim:] Growing up in Kalihi, we didn’t have much. Mom had to work nights waitressing. [Kim's mother:] No – nobody had hot water. Hot water was a luxury. And if you had hot water, oh, you was more little high-class. [Kim:] My parents worked hard and like so many they deserve our care. We have an obligation to all seniors in Hawaii. You have my pledge to protect Social Security and Medicare. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! I’m Donna Mercado Kim, and I approve this message.”
Schatz “Gun Safety” TV ad: “Over 300 million guns in America. Yet as President Obama said, as many as 40% of all gun purchases are conducted without a background check. But the two most important reasons I’m fighting for sensible gun safety laws… our kids, Tyler and Mia. In the Senate, I voted to require background checks for gun purchases, close the gun show loophole, and ban assault weapons. I’m Senator Brian Schatz. Linda and I approve this message for our family’s safety and for yours.”