Lingle and Iwase see debate as crucial

It is the challenger's first and best chance to present his case

The low-key campaign for governor should heat up tonight as Republican Gov. Linda Lingle and former Democratic state Sen. Randy Iwase meet in a live television debate.

The debate is crucial to Iwase, who has little statewide exposure and is facing a well-financed incumbent with a $6 million campaign budget.

To prepare for the debate, Lingle said yesterday she had been reviewing both her administration accomplishments and the missteps.

"I look forward to it. I'm preparing in a couple of ways, mostly understanding what my opponent's record is and then renewing my own recollection of the achievements," Lingle said. "Also recollecting the mistakes that we've made that could be jumped upon by my opponent."

For his part, Iwase said he had slowed down his campaign schedule for the past two days to prepare for the debate.

"I have been going over a scrapbook I have kept over the years," Iwase said, "and I have been going over some concepts and the issues that may arise."

Democratic campaign consultant David Wilson also talked to Iwase about preparing for the live debate with Lingle. "My suggestions are to stick to the issues, be gubernatorial and wear a good suit," Wilson said.

Iwase's campaign has a lot of questions to answer, Wilson said. First, Iwase jumped into the race only in May, after all other major Democrats who were considering the race declined. Second, despite a good showing in the primary election, Iwase has not attracted a lot of campaign donations or volunteers, Wilson added.

"In contrast, the Gov. Lingle campaign is very well organized, and it is combat-ready," he said.

But Iwase, an attorney, is "a quick study and is very articulate," Wilson added, "and he has just the right degree of passion and knows the mood of the community."

For Lingle, one of the big political hurdles will be her association with, and support of, Republican President George Bush.

Lingle said Bush has supported and helped Hawaii in some terms and been un-supportive in other areas.

"The designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a national monument was a really great thing," Lingle said.

But the last-minute opposition of the Bush administration to the native Hawaiian recognition bill was a disappointment, Lingle said.

"We've had great access to be able to get changes in the law that have brought hundreds of millions of dollars into our state in the area of reimbursements for state hospitals, in Medicaid waivers that have enabled us to insure thousands of additional children. So it's been a net plus for us, but there are things that I'm disappointed about, and the Akaka Bill was a big one," Lingle said.