This was the ad flashing on the main page of StarAdvertiser.com Sunday morning.
Deceptive? Misleading? Taken as part of Lingle’s package of Inouye-related video, tweets, etc. of the past several days, I think the answer is definitely “yes”.
But my nominee for the Spinmeister of the Week was Lingle campaign manager Bob Lee for his attempt to dismiss worries that a vote for Lingle is a vote for a GOP takeover of the Senate, which would result in stripping Hawaii Senator Dan Inouye of his position as chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
First, Lee makes the loss of Inouye’s position as chair sound like a promotion, according to a transcript of the ad provided by Civil Beat.
As the current chair of the Appropriations Committee, Sen. Inouye would become the ranking member on that committee should the Republicans gain the majority.
A promotion to ranking member. I suppose we’re supposed to believe that’s a good thing.
Lee then goes on to suggest that commenting on the loss of Hawaii’s clout in the Senate in the event of a Republican takeover shows disrespect for Inouye.
Quoting an AP story:
Lingle’s ad cast her as a moderate, with campaign manager Bob Lee saying in the spot posted online that even if the GOP wins a majority in the Senate, Inouye, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and third in line for the presidency, would still be a powerful figure as the top Democrat on that panel.
“Anything else said is disrespectful to the senior senator,” Lee said.
I’m still trying to wrap my brain around that bit of campaign bull.
Lingle’s campaign is saying that its continued use of misleading images and advertising suggesting a nonexistent political tie with Senator Inouye, or even the support of the senator,continuing days after the senator publicly objected, is not disrespectful. But pointing out that every vote for Lingle is a potential vote for a GOP majority and all that means is “disrespectful to the senior senator,” or so the Lingle campaign would have us believe.
That is a very skillful bit of campaign gobbledygook, but I think it reflects badly on candidate Lingle, who is slowly diminishing her own stature through such misleading campaign tactics.
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Quite a spin, but no more convoluted than the U. S, Chamber ad for her awhile back about how she would work with President Obama for the betterment of all! Seemingly conceding him a second term early on in the campaign. Politics makes for absurd bedfellows claims.
Rumor has it that there is an increase in people complaining of vertigo after all this spin.
Perhaps the Lingle campaign team is hoping that it is true that there is a sucker born every minute. Personally I will always associate Lingle’s leadership with the disrespect shown parents and children in the Governor’s Office during Furlough Fridays Fisaco!
Robert Lee must be getting senile. It must be, because his assumptions and assertions semme to be based on delusions or his dreams.
The entire commercial is a real sad commentary on how low Lingle and her cronies will go to mislead people about how she is perceived. First, it was the “Democrats for Lingle” and now an implied endorsement by Senator Inouye.
This pathetic attempt to paint a picture that only exists in the minds of Lingle’s public relations gurus Lenny Klompus and Kitty Lagareta reminds me of the propaganda theory of the “Big Lie”. Saying something enough times, even the most outrageous lie, and the public might even start to believe it.
Lingle bad. Boo Lingle. Down with Lingle. Yippee
They know their policies won’t win it for them,so,lying it is.
I had to read the Bob Lee ‘justification’ three times before I thought I could almost understand what he was saying . . . and I’m still not sure. Wonder if he’s been taking Klompus lessons.
Personally I think the ad was a waste of money. I’m not aware of the tweets and other “package” material you refer to, but even if I were, it doesn’t matter to me who Inouye does or doesn’t support.
As far as “Spinmeister of the Week” goes, however, the whole shadowy discussion regarding the Natatorium over the past five months or so trumps this too easily, unfortunately for all of us.
Apparently Lee is taking advantage of the fact that 99 out of 100 people (and I’m pulling that number out of my butt) don’t know what a “ranking member” is- it’s of course the highest ranking member of the MINORITY. I’ve always thought it was a misleading term and so of course any prevaricator worth their salt- a description that fits Lingle and Lee to a “T”- use it for politcal bamboozlement.
Is this any worse that Mazie saying that if Lingle wins, Inouye will no longer be the Chair of the Appropriations Committee in the Senate? With all due respect to Senator Inouye, since he’s been Chair, the earmarks all but disappeared. Not his fault, except he had to go along with the Senate due to the US budget problems. It would be an interesting comparison to see how much money he has brought into the state from when he was the Ranking Member vs. since he’s been Chair of the Appropriations Committee. I’d wager lots more as ranking member.
Doug is making a faulty comparison here. Being Ranking Member in a post-earmark world wouldn’t be anything like being Ranking Member in a world where earmarks (and cross-party cooperation) were standard practice.
She’s learned the Romney approach to campaigning.
I didn’t say that.
If I did say that it was true.
I didn’t say something untrue.
If I did say something untrue, it wasn’t a lie.
If I did lie, it was a mistake.
If it wasn’t a mistake, it’s not a bad thing.
If it is not “a bad thing’ is a really a good thing.
Vote for me.
I am sure I don’t have all the steps. but that’s the outline.
What an absolute gem of a post. I love this.
Whether in the paid media or statements made at news conferences, so much coming from Republicans seems designed to have an impact on an ignorant electorate. Pretty discouraging.
Hey, it works for Fox News. They’re No. 1 in the ratings, right?
I disagree about Lingle “diminishing her stature.” Her record as governor should have it at rock bottom already. But Mazie’s arrogant and half-hearted campaign just whines about mean ads. What a miserable choice. It would be a lot cheaper to give Inouye two votes.
John,
Maybe it is because I like Mazie, but I see nothing in her campaign which strikes me as “arrogant.” maybe you start off with a lot of hostility towards her?
I disagree it is wrong for her to respond to Lingle’s ads when they are mis leading. I think Lingle’s distorted ads provide an opportunity to dissect and lay bare the distorted logic inherent in her overall campaign.
Lingle’s is hoping Hawaii’s voters will believe she is a moderate, bi-partisan, independent and a leader. We are further asked to believe electing her will help in two, significant ways. 1) She would help heal the partisan gridlock in Washington and, 2) it would help Hawaii if we had a senator in both parties.
In order for voters to accept her logic, we have to overlook “the elephant in the room.” Electing a Republican senator from Hawaii dangerously raises the possibility for control of the Senate to switch to Republican control. Given the intensely partisan behavior of Mitch McConnell (and most of the Republican Senate leadership), putting the GOP in control of the Senate would intensify the gridlock Lingle’s PRETENDS to want to reduce.
Similarly, whatever “moderation” Lingle’s may profess, should control of the Senate shift to the GOP, the current Democratic committee chairs will be replaced by GOP senators, THEIR “ranking members,” and for each issue on which Lingle’s pretends to be moderate, the incoming chair of the subject committee responsible for that issue will be extremely conservative. So the election of “moderate” Lingle’s would UNDENIABLY be a setback on issues like a woman’s right to abortion and contraception, protection of the environment or equal rights for gays and lesbians (to cite some issues Lingle’s has previously claimed to care about).
Lingle’s latest ad shows her campaign people recognize Hawaii voters understand the threat her election may pose to Inouye’s influence. Her response, via the disingenuous video of Gen. Lee, is illogical and intentionally misleading. A big fail. Not only for its inadequacy, but because both Lingle’s and Lee have demonstrated their willingness to be dishonest.
This, too, reinforces the widespread perception the major Republican candidates, starting with Romney and Ryan, play fast and loose with facts. Lingle’s is CLEARLY operating in the same manner and is a full member of that team. Add in the willingness of the US Chamber of Commerce to spend over a million dollars to elect her, and Hawaii voters can see all the things which offend us about the national Republicans.
So it is fully appropriate for the Mazie campaign to focus so much attention on these misleading ads.
Also, I guess there’s Mazie’s lack of accomplishments or a personality which makes the negative campaign necessary. I get that. But I think that highlighting Lingle’s dismal record as governor, like HSTA (I think) is doing is better negative campaigning than whining about the process.
She cancelled an appearance in Kona last Sunday with only two days notice to the organizers. Seems arrogant to me.
But you’re right that I don’t think much of Mazie. The best you can say is that she’s a reliable rubber stamp for the Party.
Dumb comments, you fall victim to Lingle’s media barrage. I am not a type A alpha personality but in some situations I am very effective and get things done. Not everyone in Congress is Paul Ryan you know.
I also can spot the typeA Alphas who can’t be trusted…
Ironically in an rss browser this post was flanked top and bottom by Lingle ads. ; ) Keep up the good journalism.
In 2009 when Lingle cut state employees overall by about 5 per cent, she cut child protective services by 40 per cent in West Hawaii, and other CPS offices disproportionately as well. That was where she chose to effect cost-cutting. How is that consistent with putting people first?
Why did she choose to short-cut the EIS for the Superferry?
That’s the kind of things I’d like to see a Democrat raise with Lingle. Issues. Not process. Scandals. Furloughs. Layoffs hurting abused kids (West Hawaii had two child deaths this year).
Mazie just sounds defensive – “I didn’t miss ALL my votes!”