October 21, 1010 – Hawaii

By Stephanie Salazar

The Abercrombie for Governor Campaign released a new television commercial on Wednesday, where President Obama endorses the long time lawmaker for Hawaii’s top job.

Obama addressed Abercrombie as a friend, inspiring leader and someone he’s known his entire life. But the presidential endorsement brought an immediate counter ad from Republican Candidate, Duke Aiona, who said the endorsement did not change the fact that Abercrombie as governor would stall the Lingle Administrations’ progress on clean energy.

Aiona said Abercrombie would continue his Washington ways of spending that would hurt Hawaii’s economy – while in contrast he and ‘Lynn’ – referring to Lynn Finnegan, republican candidate for lieutenant governor, would be fiscally conservative.

Obama endorsement transcript:

“Aloha. My friend Neil Abercrombie is the inspiring leader that Hawaii needs right now. He has the experience, independence and character to be a great governor.

“I’ve known Neil my entire life and I know that he will create jobs for Hawaii’s families, improve our schools and help drive a new clean energy economy throughout the islands

“On Nov. 2, please vote for my friend Neil Abercrombie. Mahalo.”

Abercrombie campaign media release:

Neil Abercrombie released the following statement today after receiving an endorsement from President Obama:

“I treasure President Obama’s friendship and I’m happy to have his endorsement. If I’m elected Governor, our people will benefit from his commitment to Hawaii, the place of his birth.

“This campaign for Governor is generating the same enthusiasm we felt when campaigning for President Obama two years ago. Hawaii’s people understand what is at stake and how important it is that we change direction.

“The President supports Hawaii’s people and our diversity. Working together, we can reach our full potential.”

Aiona campaign media release:

Duke Aiona Issues Statement on Obama TV Ad

HONOLULU – Duke Aiona today issued the following statement regarding a television ad featuring President Obama in support of our opponent.

“I congratulate my opponent on receiving this endorsement from our president; however, it does not change the fact that he would stall our progress on clean energy and hold us back from cutting by more than half our dependence on foreign fossil fuel by 2018, grow government at the expense of small businesses, and waffle on critical public education reforms.

“Time and again, my opponent has not said whether he will cut programs, raise taxes or fail to deliver on his promises to grow the size and scope of government, which will increase the cost of living for Hawai‘i’s hard-working families and small businesses.

“Lynn and I are ready now with a detailed plan we formed with the bold ideas and real solutions of our citizens to immediately create job opportunities, strengthen the local economy and improve our education system for all of Hawai‘i’s children.

“We will drive down the costs of doing business, especially for small businesses, by reducing the pending unemployment insurance premium increase, cutting business fees and assessments, reducing government-created delays, and opposing tax increases.

“To facilitate immediate private sector job creation, we’ll expedite $946 million of capital investment projects and use the small business preference and set-aside to expend over $200 million on local procurement.

“We’ll vigorously implement the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative and enact policies that by 2018 will cut Hawai‘i’s dependence on foreign oil by more than half, which stands in stark contrast to our opponent’s plan for a new state bureaucracy that would take years to complete and derail our progress.”

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