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President Barack Obama has recorded a radio advertisement for Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s re-election campaign, describing the governor as a partner who made "gutsy decisions" to tackle a state budget crisis and invest in early childhood education.
In the radio ad, which debuts Wednesday, the Hawaii-born president says the governor is "like ohana to me. He knew my parents before I was a twinkle in their eye. And he was one of the first people anywhere to step up and support me for president.
"So you could say that Gov. Abercrombie has had my back since before I was born."
Abercrombie knew Obama’s parents, Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham, as students at the University of Hawaii. Abercrombie, as a member of Congress, was one of the first Democratic elected officials nationally who sought to draft Obama for president in 2008.
Obama endorsed Abercrombie’s re-election in December. The radio ads air as Abercrombie tries to fend off a serious primary challenge from state Sen. David Ige.
"I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting President Obama but since he was once a community organizer, I’m sure he would relate to and appreciate the grassroots organization of my campaign and my 29 years as a public servant," Ige said in an email.
In the ad, Obama says Abercrombie has "got our values and our priorities. His commitment to Hawaii runs deep, just like mine.
"I value him as a partner."
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