“We thank Hawaii Pacific University for its offer to host a forum for the U.S. Democratic Senatorial race. Mazie has previously announced that she looks forward to participating in five debates, an unprecedented number of debates and forums in any modern Hawaii Senate race, which includes the rescheduling of the Oahu County Democrats forum. So, we respectfully decline this offer.” -- Carolyn Tanaka, Hirono’s deputy campaign manager for communications
* * * * *
Case Accepts Thursday Substitute Debate Invite from Hawaii Pacific University
Date Available for Hirono and Case Because of Oahu Democratic Forum Postponement
News Release from Case for Senate Campaign May 21, 2012
U.S. Senate Candidate Ed Case today accepted an invitation from Hawaii Pacific University to sponsor a substitute debate with his Democratic opponent, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, this Thursday, May 24.
Case and Hirono previously scheduled a joint forum sponsored by the Oahu Democratic Party for Thursday evening. The forum was postponed late Friday afternoon, leaving the Thursday date and time open and available. On Saturday, Case asked Hirono to debate Thursday anyway with a sponsor and format of her choice.
This morning, HPU stepped forward to offer its sponsorship and Case accepted. HPU Professor Dr. John Hart's offer to both candidates and Case's reply follow:
Aloha:
We would still be pleased to host a U.S. Senate Democratic candidates debate on May 24, since that day appears to be open. Below is the format we proposed for the Mayoral debate. However we would be amenable to any.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Format:
Five minute opening statement from each candidate.
Candidates questions: After each opening statement, the other two candidate may ask three questions to the speaker, with three minutes to respond to each. ~ no candidate can ask another candidate two questions in the same category, to encourage debate on a variety of issues.
Five minute closing statements.
Speaking order: order based on a flip of a coin or drawing straws or numbers.
Moderator: John Hart
Staging: all candidates and the moderator on the stage sitting at a table facing the audience, the person speaking will be at the single lectern.
Media will be invited.
Dress code: TBD
Location: TBD
John Hart
Dr. Hart:
Thank you for HPU's renewed offer to host a U. S. Senate debate this Thursday evening, when both Congresswoman Hirono and I are free due to postponement of our earlier-scheduled Oahu Democrats event.
We accept so long as Mazie also accepts and the event is open to the public and media.
Please advise as soon as Mazie accepts or rejects your offer. Please let us know of any questions.
Thanks again.
Ed Case
HPU earlier invited both candidates to debate on campus. Case accepted and Hirono declined.
###
Mazie: Let's Debate Thursday Anyway
Dear Mazie: May 19, 2012
You have refused most debate/joint appearance invitations, including four statewide television debates, any debate at our upcoming Democratic Party of Hawai'i state convention, and, most recently, a Senate forum with the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
The few opportunities you accepted included a "joint discussion" hosted by the Oahu Democrats. We both agreed to a date and time of this Thursday, May 24th, at 6:30PM, when you're home for another congressional recess.
Yesterday the Oahu Democrats chair told us that our scheduled May 24th joint discussion was being postponed indefinitely. Although no reason was given, reportedly you objected to the Oahu Democrats format, and arrangements for full public and media access had not been completed as I requested.
Let's debate Thursday evening anyway. We both have the date and time set aside. I'm sure we can secure a good location for the first debate in this critical election in no time. I'm sure we can work out the rest of the logistics in short order.
To make it easy for you, I'll agree to any reasonable host or facilitator, and to any reasonable format, you propose. My only requirement is what I've asked for all of our debates: that it be fully accessible to the public and media.
I ask, and hope you'll agree, that we focus on the issues. What if we identify five issue areas each to discuss. These are mine: fixing DC; growing our economy; balancing our budget; preserving Social Security and Medicare; and making our world safe.
All it will take for us to provide voters with this first debate is for you and I to agree to do just that, and the rest will fall in place fast. Let me know right away if you will or won't debate me anyway this Thursday evening.
If you decline, then I urge you to change your mind about not debating me at our state Democratic convention. As you know, our Congressional District 2 candidates are debating Saturday evening and I'm sure our party would still welcome the same from us.
Aloha,
Ed Case
---30---
Related: Postponed