Hawaii Senate Democratic Primary: Case wants Hirono to debate 25 times

By Derrick DePledge
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 05, 2012

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case has asked the Democratic Party of Hawaii to host a series of forums across the state where voters can compare him and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono side by side before the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in August.

In a letter to the party chairman Tuesday, Case called for 25 joint appearances during which he and Hirono would discuss public policy issues. He said the format would be preferable to a few statewide television debates, which has become the staple of high-profile Hawaii campaigns.

"I think we should go out there and let folks size us up personally and side by side. It's really the ultimate judgment that voters can make when they take a look personally," Case said in an interview. "There's so much in a modern statewide campaign that's artificial and removed from voters, it's no wonder that voters are disenchanted and disengaged. So I just think this is a great way to re-engage folks."

Dante Carpenter, the party's chairman, said the party is open to the idea, not only for the U.S. Senate primary, but perhaps for other campaigns as well. He said the party had been thinking about something similar before Case's request. He said it is unlikely the party would organize 25 primary events, however.

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This is for Dan Akaka's seat for those not in the know.