Case says Akaka not engaging voters
U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka is "reluctant" to speak for himself in his re-election campaign, says his Democratic primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Ed Case.
"He feels he needs the help. He is reluctant to speak for himself and he would rather have others speak for him," Case told reporters yesterday after a speech at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Akaka's campaign spokeswoman Elisa Yadao rejected Case's assertions.
"It isn't the campaign organization that makes the decisions. The senator is in charge of the campaign," she said.
Yadao added that Akaka is in Washington this week and is unable to respond to campaign attacks.
Case was asked about a new round of television ads featuring U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye endorsing Akaka and about reports of U.S. Sens. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., endorsing Akaka.
Case said Akaka should speak for himself and not have others handle his campaign. He also repeated his concern that he has been unable to arrange a debate with Akaka.
"Clearly his campaign has determined that it is hazardous to his campaign that Sen. Akaka interact with the voters of Hawaii.
"He (Akaka) has a very conscious campaign strategy to avoid any joint appearances. His campaign strategy is to have other campaign people (talk). He doesn't talk directly to the press," Case said.
Yadao said Akaka prefers to meet voters in a less combative setting than a political debate.
"Sen. Akaka is an educator and is much more interested in talking to and listening to others," Yadao said.
But, she added, a debate between the two is still a possibility.
"We have all these requests under consideration and we are close, we haven't said we aren't going to do it," Yadao added.
Case and Akaka are expected to appear together Tuesday at a meeting of the Hawaii Publishers Association, but it will not be a debate. Both men are expected to give separate talks and then respond to questions from the audience.