Unrelenting Ed Case Says Mazie Hirono Is D.C. Insider

by Kyle Trygstad, Roll Call, December 15, 2011 (excerpts)

Mazie is not the change candidate. She is the inside Washington, status-quo candidate,” Case told Roll Call. “And that fundamentally is going to be the difference between us.”

Case said the DSCC endorsement only confirms his position that Hirono represents more of the same ….

Hirono’s establishment support is thanks in part to the greatest influence in Hawaii Democratic politics, Sen. Daniel Inouye….

Hirono is about to cash in on the DSCC endorsement. According to an invitation obtained by Roll Call, she will be in Seattle on Friday for a fundraiser hosted by Strategies 360 and headlined by DSCC Chairwoman Patty Murray (Wash.), EMILY’s List and Washington Democratic Reps. Norm Dicks, Rick Larsen, Jim McDermott and Adam Smith. The event at a Belltown restaurant asks for donations of at least $125, with $2,500 earning donors “host” status….

“It’s really important that I have the support of respected Senators like Patty Murray, and of course the DSCC….”

One endorsement she won’t be receiving is that of fellow Hawaii Democratic Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who told Roll Call she will not take sides because she knows both candidates well.

Hirono has hired someone who helped Akaka survive Case’s challenge. Betsy Lin, who served as Akaka’s field director in 2006 and as a DSCC deputy political director in the 2008 cycle, left her position as Hirono’s chief of staff in late November and moved to Hawaii to take over as campaign manager. Hirono recently announced that local business leader Tim Johns will serve as her campaign chairman.

Much of Hirono’s consulting team remains in place from last cycle. Still on board are Rich Davis of Dixon/Davis Media Group, Sheila O’Connell for direct mail and Pete Brodnitz of Benenson Strategy Group, who conducted Hirono’s recent poll. Her team also consists of Amie Kershner of AKM Consulting for fundraising and online strategists Brent Blackaby and Jamie Ruth of Trilogy Interactive….

Case said he just finished a six-week swing across the islands and spoke with 5,000 people. He said he’s using that as his poll guidance for now.

“They will not vote for the status quo, period,” Case said a few days before Hirono released her poll. “Whatever any poll says, or whatever anybody says between now and Election Day, won’t change that ultimate judgment of the voters.”

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