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05-27-2010 - Statement by Neil Abercrombie on Mayor Hannemann’s Announcement to Run for Governor

Neil Abercrombie released the following statement today in response to Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s announcement to run for Governor:
 
“Mayor Mufi Hannemann has been raising money and holding campaign rallies for the Governor’s race since June of last year, all the while using the city government and Honolulu’s rail project in particular as political leverage. This latest pronouncement is just the latest step in planning to enter the race for Governor sometime in July.
 
“If he is truly running for Governor, the Hawaii State Constitution requires the Mayor to resign from office.  Even if he has found a loophole to exploit, he displays a continuing willingness to violate the spirit of the Constitution for his own personal advantage. Although I was not required by law to resign, I did so because I didn't feel it was right to campaign for Governor in this critical election year while holding public office and collecting a government paycheck. Mayor Hannemann has a different view.
 
“In this campaign for Governor, there is so much we need to do to break away from this latest example of typical politics. We must restore public confidence in state and local government.  People want and need a change — they want to overhaul the school system, get to food security and energy independence, rebuild the economy so our children can live and work here at home, protect our environment for future generations, and restore Hawaii to a place that reflects our island values.”
 
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05-27-2010 - Typical

By Bill Kaneko, Campaign Manager

For over a year Neil Abercrombie has been listening and learning from the people of Hawaii. He has always been clear and consistent about his intentions—running for Governor is the culmination of Neil’s lifetime of public service experience.  He is committed to a full term as Governor and he will not run for anything else.

Over the same period, Mayor Mufi Hannemann has been gathering campaign contributions and holding “Go Mufi Gov” rallies—telling campaign donors that he’s running and the rest of you that he’s just exploring.

Today, the Honolulu Mayor called another press conference and the media covered it live.  He now says he plans to become an official candidate for Governor in July when he says he will resign as required by law.

Stand up against typical politics

Neil is hearing a very clear message all across the islands: The people are tired of the same, typical political maneuvering, where politicians take precedence over the issues.
 
What the Honolulu Mayor’s announcement really means is that his campaign war chest will be turned on, smothering your televisions, radios, and newspapers with political messages.
 
You will hear disparaging comments about Neil’s lack of “executive experience”—the same attack that Sarah Palin leveled on Barack Obama. Learn More

You will hear Neil attacked for resigning even though Neil’s decision is based on the ethical notion of not using a public office and public resources as a platform for political campaigning. Learn More

You will now be subjected to a lot more slickness and a lot less of the seriousness we are facing as a community.
 
Let's stand up against the typical politics of today.
 
Leadership we can trust

All of us in Neil’s campaign are doing the same thing tonight that we were doing for the past year.  We’re talking about issues, organizing people who want things to change, spreading a message of a united Hawaii, and helping more people really get to know Neil Abercrombie as they consider who will lead us at this critical time.
 
With your help, we can restore public confidence in state and local government, overhaul the school system, get to food security and energy independence, rebuild the economy so our children can live and work here at home, protect our environment for future generations, and restore Hawaii to a place that reflects our island values.
 
I invite all of you to stand with Neil.  Now more than ever, if you want a change from the same-old politics, please consider a donation of any amount and join the people’s campaign.

Neil is running a campaign I’m proud to be a part of.

05-26-2010 - Discussion on Small Business in Hawaii, 6/2, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Join us at Abercrombie for Governor headquarters (Ward Warehouse, 2nd Floor, next door to Kincaid’s) on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for a discussion about small business in Hawaii. Attendance is free of charge. Refreshments will be served.

Hawaii has always had tremendous entrepreneurial energy, but we have never fully unlocked our full potential. Government is too often a barrier because regulations and permitting processes, even when warranted, aren’t handled with the speed and urgency that business requires. Locally-owned small businesses are too often on their own to find capital for start-up and expansion, to break into markets, and to compete with giant outside-owned businesses. Just starting a business is unnecessarily confusing and burdensome.

Small businesses are the most numerous employers of people in Hawaii. Whether they find long-term success or ultimately close shop, entrepreneurs gain valuable experience that adds value to the economy as a whole. Small business is critical to our economic recovery.

In an Abercrombie administration, government will listen to small businesses, remove cumbersome barriers, open up opportunities, help solve problems, forge partnerships between businesses with communities, and advocate for local businesses. Hawaii is counting on our entrepreneurs to confront our top challenges: creating good jobs, reducing our over-reliance on fossil fuel and imported food, and partnering with schools to create a 21st century education system.

Three experts from the field will join Neil Abercrombie in a panel discussion on this important issue. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and join the discussion. Andrew Aoki, Deputy Campaign Manager, will moderate. In addition to Neil Abercrombie, the panelists will be:



Please RSVP to Josh Levinson at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 589-2237.  

The event will be live-streamed on the web at http://www.neilabercrombie.com/index.php/live/.  Those watching online will be able to submit questions for the panelists.

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