CAMPAIGN CLOSE-UP

A behind-the-scenes look at the campaigns
in this year's hotly contested elections

Looking for
the issues? Don’t
mind the mud

Candidates are already
deep into a war of words

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Voters plead with politicians to keep their campaigns focused on the issues.

But for anyone in a campaign -- including those vying for governor this year -- highlighting the shortcomings of an opponent is an issue.

Gov. Ben Cayetano, for instance, has challenged Maui Mayor Linda Lingle's qualifications to run the state, saying that former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi, her Republican opponent in the primary election, has more experience and is better qualified.

"Don't compare driving a little Volkswagen with driving a big bus," Cayetano said.

In reaction, Lingle fired back, "It's not the size of your vehicle, it is how it runs when you put the key in.

"You can have a big, broken-down bus, which is what we have right now. Or you can have a smooth-running small machine."

Cayetano also has used surrogates to criticize Lingle. His campaign co-chairwoman, Ann Kobayashi, says Lingle has a poor record of economic development on Maui, asserting it has the highest bankruptcy rate in the state and high property taxes.

Lingle responded by aiming an attack at Cayetano.

"It is really unfortunate, he doesn't understand how desperate the public is for positive solutions to the problems we face," she said.

"What has he done to help our economy, to stop these bankruptcies?

"I think putting out this false information is an indication that he has no vision about how to correct our economy."

Democratic Party Chairman Walter Heen has taken a shot at Lingle, calling her "the Wonder Woman."

"It's a wonder she came here. It's a wonder she's staying. It's a wonder she's trying to run for office," he said.

But Lingle herself fired an opening salvo, with the campaign theme on her Web page stating:

"The people who created the problems we face today will not be the ones to solve them."

Frank Fasi also has attacked Lingle's economic policies, saying "the Maui model is a myth."

He has described her management style as "high spending, high debt," and claims the island's debt rose from $58.7 million in 1990 to $200 million today.

But, Lingle notes that Maui's financial rating by bond agencies is described as having "a strong financial performance with a very healthy financial position."

Finally, Lingle has taken out a television commercial charging that Fasi and Cayetano are teaming up to attack her.

"No surprise all Fasi is doing is helping Ben Cayetano," her commercial says.

In Their Words