[ OUR OPINION ]
POLITICAL debates give voters a chance to hear candidates discuss issues and to evaluate their positions and ideas. Debates about debates, however, do little to enlighten people. If Mazie Hirono and Linda Lingle continue to squabble about which one of them is avoiding dual forums this early in their campaigns, voters already aloof to the political process likely will walk away from both of them. Debate about debates
a waste of time
THE ISSUE Lingle and Hirono hurl accusations about who is dodging debates.
Only a few days into their drive toward the gubernatorial general election, Republican Lingle and Democrat Hirono have descended into a useless "she-said, she-said" tussle. Both women were set to appear in forums scheduled this week, but Hirono passed, ostensibly because of a scheduling problem.
Lingle and party officials quickly seized the opportunity to label her opponent as faint-hearted. GOP chairman Micah Kane said Hirono "is afraid to let the public see her and Linda side by side." Hirono retaliated, calling Lingle "completely hypocritical" because the Republican had declined to take part in pre-primary debates. The GOP countered that Lingle wasn't running against the Democratic candidates in the primary. In addition, Hirono forgot to mention that she declined a second televised debate with her primary opponents.
Coming off that exhausting campaign in which she barely won her party's nomination, Hirono may be looking for some breathing room before she takes on the formidable and well-financed Lingle, who faced only token opposition in her preliminary bout. A shrewd politician would be one who chooses carefully the timing of one-on-one meetings with an opponent. Nonetheless, Hirono should be willing to engage in public discourse with Lingle.
Hirono has spent much of her adult life in the political spotlight. However, a televised debate with her primary opponents showed her without the keen public-speaking skills Lingle has honed since her 1998 gubernatorial campaign against Ben Cayetano. Although this ability is important in media-oriented campaigns, splash and flash aren't the only things voters are seeking. A candidate who articulates thoughtful, thorough plans and intelligent views can win over people. Hirono, who has 22 years of legislative and executive experience, certainly can reach this level.
What turns people off from politics is acrimony and accusations. Negative campaigns, mud-slinging and character attacks do not inform. Through the seven weeks to the general election, Lingle and Hirono should keep their campaigns clean. Otherwise, whoever wins come Nov. 5 will start her term at the state's helm already stained and tarnished.
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