Djou faults Caldwell over television campaign ad
STAR-ADVERTISER
“There was nobody in Congress who didn’t support the first responders. … The question was how to finance it.” - Charles Djou, Candidate for Honolulu mayor
Mayoral candidate and former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou says his 2010 vote on funding for Sept. 11, 2001, first responders has been mischaracterized by Mayor Kirk Caldwell in a campaign ad now running on television.
The Caldwell ad says Djou voted “no” on a congressional bill providing health benefits to the first responders as well as survivors. “For years (the first responders) sought needed health care coverage from Congress but were denied,” a narrator says in a somber voice. By voting against the measure, “Djou chose party over principle, politics over people. We need a mayor who puts people first.”
All city elections are nonpartisan, but party affiliation — Djou is a Republican and Caldwell a Democrat — has come into play on several occasions in the mayor’s race. On Thursday two Democratic City Council members said they support Djou.
The Caldwell ad zooms in on a piece of paper showing the votes and Djou’s name followed by a prominent “no.”
Djou told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Thursday that the ad is “brutal … false and misleading.” He said he voted against House Resolution 1786, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, because it called for the program to be financed through deficit spending rather than by way of the existing federal budget through spending cuts.
He joined bill co-sponsor Rep. Christopher Lee (R-N.Y.) in voting to have the bill recommitted to the committee so the funding could be altered, he said. The vote to recommit was rejected 244-185, with nearly all of the “yes” votes coming from Republicans, including Djou.
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“There was nobody in Congress who didn’t support the first responders,” Djou said. “The question wasn’t whether or not to support the first responders, the question was how to finance it. That was the difference.”
But Caldwell campaign spokeswoman Glenna Wong stood by the ad and called Djou’s response “a complete falsehood.” Language in the final version of the measure provides funding for the program by closing a foreign investment tax loophole, thus making it revenue-neutral, Wong said.
The Djou campaign has begun running its own ads that address this vote on the Zadroga bill. It features Don Aweau, an Air Force veteran, scolding Caldwell for running materials that mislead the public, and points out that Djou joined the Army shortly after 9/11 and served in Afghanistan.
“As a veteran, I’m disgusted by these types of ads against a fellow vet,” says Aweau, who works on Council Chairman Ernie Martin’s administrative staff. Aweau also alludes to, although not by name, a series of negative ads that Pacific Resource Partnership, as a super PAC, ran against former Gov. Ben Cayetano during his unsuccessful mayoral bid four years ago.
“Shame on you, Kirk. It might have worked for you four years ago to get you elected, but not again,” Aweau says at the end of the ad.
Super PACs are political action committees that are allowed to spend unlimited amounts in support or opposition of a candidate, provided it does not coordinate with any of those seeking office.
After Cayetano sued PRP for defamation, it agreed to settle the lawsuit by publishing an apology to the former governor and donating $125,000 to two charities of his choice.
The pro-rail PRP, which represents unionized carpenters and private contractors, has been silent on the 2016 mayor’s race. Earlier this year, however, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, PRP’s major financial backer through the Hawaii Carpenters Market Recovery Program Fund, endorsed Caldwell for mayor.
Asked about tying Caldwell to PRP’s 2012 ad campaign, Djou said that while the mayor might not have been affiliated with them in 2012, “he learned from that four years ago and is trying to do it again.”
Wong said that the ad criticizing Djou’s vote on the first responders’ measure is one of several messages “focused on Charles Djou’s voting record during the last period he held office.” He added, “A candidate runs on his record, and it is legitimate to look at that record and determine why he voted and acted the way he did.”
The Zadroga program, and its continued funding, has been the subject of much debate over the years. Among those who have lobbied loudly for it has been comedian Jon Stewart.
In other election-related news, City Council Chairman Ernie Martin and Councilman Trevor Ozawa announced Thursday that they are joining Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi in backing Djou for mayor. Martin, Ozawa and Kobayashi, like Caldwell, are Democrats.
Martin said Djou has committed to working with all nine members while Caldwell chooses to work with only those he favors, and otherwise communicates through the media.
Council members Ikaika Anderson, Brandon Elefante and Kymberly Pine are publicly supporting Caldwell for mayor while the three remaining members — Carol Fukunaga, Joey Manahan and Ron Menor — have not endorsed either candidate.
Djou has also been endorsed by Cayetano while current Gov. David Ige as well as former Govs. George Ariyoshi and John Waihee have appeared in ads supporting Caldwell.
117 responses to “Djou faults Caldwell over television campaign ad”
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At least Djou put on a uniform. How about Caldwell? Nope…Not enough integrity for the military.
So did Dubya. What does that prove? When he was on the City Council, Djou would have such a snarky attitude towards people testifying. Really unprofessional.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way
You can’t handle the truth!
Funny, guys. I think Tom Cruise won that battle. However, I’m with Alohaguy. Dijou seems to have much better character. And why does Caldwell not respond directly, but rather has his publicist do so. Yeah, that’s what she’s hired to do, but with a sensitive issue, it would be better to hear from the mayor himself.
Way to go Martin, Ozawa and Kobayashi!
Charles Djou. “Mentioning my voting record is grossly unfair to me.”
Kirk Caldwell and smear campaigns are nothing new. Yet he whines when someone criticizes him.
Niiiice.
Alohaguy, exactly how did chibikodog offend you? What was said that insinuated you had to explain yourself. Oh, wait! Are you DUBYA!?!?!
Will PRP run an ad against Djou with Ben standing next to him?
Yeah…Dubya put on a reserve uniform to AVOID ‘Nam.
Djou put on a uniform knowing darn well chances were HIGH he’d get deployed since Rummy stated “you go in with the army you have” (even if ill prepared and under equipped)
He still voted against funding for 9/11 responders no matter what his reasoning. For several of them, time really is running otu.
No military service for cladwell, but he served an internship as did his wife in the senate office of the late Dan Inouye. To Hawaii Ultra-Dems, that’s all that counts as service to the country, other than being Nisei who served in the 442nd and 101st, or their Sansei/Yonsei descendants who continue to use that advantage in political campaigns.
cladwell was just one of those who got academic deferments or was saved by the creation of the volunteer army. Since then he has married the scioness of a well-to-do family, bought a couplo of historic, $300/year property tax homes, collected a $250,000 a year bank directorship that has two-hour a month meetings, will get the no-alcohol on beach law waived for the Kakaako Condo Enclave who will get a special area for themselves at Ala Moana Beach Park, with cladwell either as a guest or enclave dweller. Pretty good takings for a Dem who supposedly represents spreading the wealth to the have nots. Looks more like he has lifted his sights and now gives to his favorite charity — himself.
No arguments here. OUT with the ethically challenged KROOK!!!
Just that look when he smiles, He looks like a Crook ! But ” Rail will be Built on Time and on Budget ” !
Just another reason to vote against him. Sadly Djou is no Eisenhower and is far from Tulsi or Mark. Djou is all talk but nothing specific. No thanks.
Eisenhower? Stop living in the past.
It is good to mention a good republican from time to time. Sad to say very few exist today. Just witch doctors.
At least there are good republicans.
Here’s the list of good democrats:
Alohaguy,
Thank you for your service and your comment (and I agree!).
Thank you. For the sake of fair disclosure, my time in the infantry is done. I enlisted right out of high school. I never saw combat nor was I ever deployed in harm’s way but was ready nonetheless. I respect Djou for his willingness to also take an oath and to put on a uniform and serve. Was he a Ranger or Seal? No, he wasn’t but he never claimed to be. Just a proud member of the military and doing his small part. The bottom line is Caldwell has no achievement worth putting on a TV commercial so he has to throw some mud. Not really a shock because he did it to Ben four years ago because he didn’t have any achievements then either. Amazing that after many years as managing director under Mufi and nearly four years as Mayor he’s got nothing.
Djou can complain of the ad being misleading, but he can’t refute that 1) he voted against the bill (even if he disagreed on the way it was financed, he still voted no) and 2) he voted on party lines with Republicans vs. Democrats.
Nor can you deny that he voted “yes” to recommit once the funding was straightened out, but the measure failed with most of the “no” votes coming from democrats that time.
My experience is that Charles Djou votes his conscience and wouldn’t vote for a unfunded program. Once the project had funding, he not only was in favor of it, he introduced the bill himself, only to have the democrats kill it.
in his first vote, Djou voted against the First Responders bill, which was revenue neutral and paid for by closing a loophole on foreign investments. The bill was recommitted (with Djou’s vote) stripped on the funding mechanism, then reintroduced with less money (and no funding offset) to pay for 9/11 First Responders medical care. When that bill came to the floor, he voted against it, too. Every time the bill for First Responders came to the Hose floor, Djou voted “NO.” He needs to take responsibility for his shameful record.
Charles Djou is simply irresponsible.
Djou doesn’t have a conscience. His moral compass is crooked.
Not having a conscience is saying on time and on budget and then slinking to the legislature to extend the GET increase and threaten property tax increases to get your way.
Contruction is proceeded rapidly and all bills are being paid.
Even the the city’s projected costs are within budget. It’s the feds who disagree. They are about 15% more than the city.
15% is not excessive. The city should extend the surcharge to satisfy the feds.
wiliki says: “Djou doesn’t have a conscience. His moral compass is crooked.”
So says our resident compulsive liar…
I suppose Caldwell doesn’t need to understand a bill before signing it. Does Caldwell vote as Pelosi does where “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it”? Maybe it’s a comprehension problem with Caldwell. With Djou questioning the financing of a bill and Caldwell oblivious to it I can see why the rail project is in such a financial mess.
Caldwell’s heart is in the right place.
Djou doesn’t have a heart.
As usual lil wil says a bunch of nonsense.
Voting against 1st responders?
His only excuse may be that NY is so far away from Hawaii that it seems to him like a foreign country. That’s Djou for you: local boy.
Lil Wil…low information comment is your norm.
Only alternative is that he lies and feels no shame for doing so. Typical Republican.
wiliki says: “Only alternative is that he lies and feels no shame for doing so. Typical Republican.”
As opposed to Kirk “on time and on budget” “build rail better” “solid financial plan” Caldwell?
He lies so much, he has to outsource some of it to PRP.
Djou’s voting record in Congress is fair game since it shows exactly where he stands on issues. His time there was pretty much a big waste of time and resulted in him getting voted out of office in a short period of time. He had the chance to show the people of Hawaii that he stands behind their values, and he failed miserably in that regard. By the way, if he’s already crying about negative ads and thinks it’s getting ugly already, wait until a couple of weeks before the general election when the nastiest ads usually come out.
agree..Djou is pretty to look at and he seems to act the part of a responsible family man with good character. That really is not enough to garner my vote. What are his specific policy recommendations? Caldwell is a very suspect man but he seems to get the garbage collected and that is what a mayor must do: deliver city services. He is far from perfect in that regard but he seems more real than Djou, a Punahou stuff shirt spouting ideological dictums.
Caldwell cut the garbage collection to one a week.
But windward, he also added recyclable and lawn waste collection. Works for me.
Hey stop with the high school bashing. Obama went there. I don’t know what you mean by stuffed shirt regarding Punahou grads, but many democratic supporters funding Schatz and Caldwell are Punahou grads. Nonsense comments.
krusha,
I think he got voted out because Republicans are scary and drive away their volunteers.
Djou has shown over and over again that he is a subservient lapdog of the white Mainland Repub. establishment who depends on their money for his campaigns. Almost ALL of his money comes from the mainland and he will always go along with what they ask him to do. He is a spineless, ethically challenged coward who wants to act like he’s an “Asian” local (notice he NEVER shows his party affiliation in his ads) but only thing Asian about him is his exterior color. That, however, cannot hide the “all white” interior and the emptiness of his “smile”.
true and in Congress he was a lap dog for the Israeli lobby and rich corporate lobbyists. Sorry. I cannot vote for such a person.
Can you vote here? Thought you would be voting in your home state Dakota?
Race bait much?
Vote for Djou as he will responsibly reject all new rail taxes.
Sad that the blind cannot “see”…
Wow, really hate to be agreeing with the Mayor’s ad, but it needs to be said and is a sad reflection on Djou’s character. Really hard picking the lesser of two evils here.
Rail: 5 years behind schedule and billion over budget.
Caldwell: “On time and on budget”
Is that all you got? This section is about Djou’s No Vote on medical care for 9/11 First Responders.
And you left out Djou’s explanation.
Quote from the article:
“”The Djou campaign has begun running its own ads that address this vote on the Zadroga bill. It features Don Aweau, an Air Force veteran, scolding Caldwell for running materials that mislead the public, and points out that Djou joined the Army shortly after 9/11 and served in Afghanistan.
“As a veteran, I’m disgusted by these types of ads against a fellow vet,” says Aweau, who works on Council Chairman Ernie Martin’s administrative staff. Aweau also alludes to, although not by name, a series of negative ads that Pacific Resource Partnership, as a super PAC, ran against former Gov. Ben Cayetano during his unsuccessful mayoral bid four years ago.
“Shame on you, Kirk. It might have worked for you four years ago to get you elected, but not again,” Aweau says at the end of the ad.””
It’s ok Keolu…the pro Krook/pro corruption cartel found a tidbit to milk and they’re trying to run with it. No doubt a lot of PRP input.
Fact is, Krook is a shyster, liar and ethically challenged lifelong politician that will make his mark in Hawaii history by sinking HNL into oppressive DEBT.
While he sips beers with his developer buddies overlooking Ala Moana Beach Park from a penthouse… Then goes home to his tax dodge “historic home”
Djou can’t have it both ways. You can’t support a bill and oppose it. This was the same nonsense he would always do on the City Council. He’d fight to get projects in the budget for his well-to-do Hawaii Kai constituents, and then when it was certain the budget would pass, he would vote against it, so he could take credit for being fiscally conservative. He did this every year. As for his claim that “everybody supported it”, that’s also baloney. Republicans filibustered it in the Senate and tried to completely block it. And the GOP did the same thing in 2015, when it was up for renewal. Meanwhile hundreds of First Responders had died.
Completely agree with KamaiianaGuy! Djou is trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes to get elected.
Actually you CAN.
Would YOU vote YES on a bill that guarantees the preservation of ancient Hawaiian taro patches and burial sites BUT, in the fine print, also allows private contractors to start taking gate receipts for Lanikai Beach and develop concrete parking lots?
Did you read the article? His reasoning was sound to me.
Cry babies…cry babies…get out of the race is you can’t handle the criticism. All is fair in love and war in politics. Bottom line Djou you voted “NO”.
Bottom line, rail is a colossal failure under Clodwell’s watch.
Nothing in this article is about rail. Geez, this is really annoying.
“get out of the race is you can’t handle the criticism. All is fair in love and war in politics.”
Who said that?
9-11 first responders knew what they were getting into. IT WAS THEIR JOB.
Their unions and benefit plans were there, no?
Djou is trying to spin this to take the sting off the ad, but the bottom line is he voted “NO” on the bill when it counted. Also, I find it interesting that Don Aweau, who works for Ernie Martin is in an ad for Djou and same day, Martin and Ozawa endorse Djou. I wonder what promises were made and deals cut for that to happen?
Fire Ernie and Ozawa. They’re playing politics with the lives of 1st responders.
Poor Aweau. He doesn’t know what a stooge he is for Martin.
Caldwell targets the “low information” voters. Always works, especially over here.
Not only low information, low intelligence too.
That would be all the other “bananas”.
Shame on Djou. Lying about the bill. It was revenue neutral and paid for itself. Mr. No Djou doesn’t even support 1st responders.
Paid for itself? Oh, just like free preschool?
“There was nobody in Congress who didn’t support the first responders,” Djou said.
Mr. Wiliki………take your time when you read.
“…Glenna Wong stood by the ad and called Djou’s response “a complete falsehood.” Language in the final version of the measure provides funding for the program by closing a foreign investment tax loophole, thus making it revenue-neutral, Wong said.”
This is in the article. You read it too. Do you just want to ignore the facts?
Speaking of falsehoods, do we need to remind you about Caldwell PRP and the last mayor’s election?
Fire Keolu. He lies.
What have I lied about wiliki?
I can name wiliki’s lies:
“rail is already paid for”
“Grabauskas did an outstanding job”
“preschool pays for itself”
Yes. We are are meeting all of our bills. And the city still projects rail within budget. The feds don’t but that’s another story.
Grabauskas has done an outstanding job. He’s been criticised for trying to be too helpful that the City Council Ernie has used HART as a punching bag to get himself elected mayor.
And yes, kids who fall back in school who have very poor early education, or preschool, wind up pregnant, on wellfare, unemployed, or in jail. It would be lot cheaper to pay for the preschool and avoid the rest later.
LOL. wiliki first of all cannot name anything I’ve lied about. wiliki then defends his lies with more lies.
“And the city still projects rail within budget.”
Not true. If the city were within budget, they don’t need a GET extension. And don’t for get the rail is behind schedule.
“Grabauskas has done an outstanding job”
Not true. Why did he resign during the middle of talks about his performance?
“City Council Ernie has used HART as a punching bag to get himself elected mayor.”
Not true. Martin is not running for mayor.
“It would be lot cheaper to pay for the preschool and avoid the rest later.”
Again, not true. Do you know why kids “fall behind”? Because of parents? And even with preschool, unless the parents work with them, they fall behind again and studies show any benefits from preschool is lost by the time they kids are in 3rd grade or so.
But it sounds nice to “do it for the keiki”. By the way, there is already free preschool for needy kids if you took the time to look it up. “Preschool open doors”.
WOW! If he said THAT, it MUST be true!!!
Oh look!!! Weewili has found a tidbit he thinks he can RUN with to help the cause of perpetual corruption and status quo in HNL!!!
Free daycare for first responders!!!
News for you: It’s their JOB. They get PAID to be first responders because they WANT TO. They have bennies and unions, too.
Nope. Gov’t failed them. They were told that it was safe to go on the site without breathing apparatus.
Completely untrue. Many suffered and died from the brutal consequences of breathing the poisonous dust.
The feds needed to respond because New York City couldn’t afford the cost. Mr. No was just being Mr. Scrooge. His Cratchit was the lives of New York’s finest first responders.
“”They were told that it was safe to go on the site without breathing apparatus.””
BS.
Keolu is a liar.
This was such a large part of the discussion on the bill. Its’an easy google.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/nyregion/05masks.html?_r=0
wiliki is lying again. Nowhere in your article does it say workers were told it was safe to go on site without a breathing apparatus. In fact, it was the opposite.
Direct quote from the article: “”did their best to provide adequate equipment and to get workers to use it, but many workers ignored the warnings. Many workers cited reasons for not keeping the masks on, like the stifling heat and the difficulty of communicating while wearing them.”
Easy google but you never read the article. Instead wiliki lied and made up his own version.
Don’t matter, my vote is going to Djou. Kirk is a crook just like Hillary. Both needs to be locked up.
+1
+2
+3
Wow! Capt. Kirk has a bunch of new supporters all coming out of the woodwork. Djou explained that he was all for the intent of the bill yet didn’t agree with the funding mechanism. PAU. Why do you guys just hang onto his “NO” vote? Remember that the sheeple whose your audience are probably not on a computer reading this on-line forum.
City workers given the word by their union that they have to put in 30 minutes of pro Krook lies before work starts, every day until election.
Stop your whining Charles Djou!! You are such a hypocrite!!
STOP your LYING and double dipping KROOK Cadwell…you’re such a hypocrite!!
Dion is such a whinner. It’s true. He votes no on everything because he can find something to whine about in the bill.
Clodwell voted no on responsible spending and accountability on the rail.
Baloney. HART is in change of rail. The city council is responsible for poor oversight
Baloney. Who appoints people to HART? Clodwell!
The council can just over ride the mayor’s veto. They can just vote down his appointees.
No the mayor is not all-powerful.
Who Cares !
Kirk is a TERRIBLE mayor who needs to go!
Sick of all the LIES and CORRUPTION from this current mayor.
Both sides finger pointing..up.
So Djou is fiscally responsible and didn’t want to increase deficit spending and wanted to pay for the benefits by cutting spending elsewhere. And that’s a bad thing??
I am still undecided personally, but if anything, this is a positive for Djou in my book.
The fact that Caldwell has begun to resort to these types of ads is a negative to me.
Exactly what I’m thinkin, too.
It is a bad thing when they want to cut from everywhere indiscriminately EXCEPT military spending.
if a pothole is on the westside caldwell ignores it. truth. s*rew caldwell.
I think it’s absolutely hilarious that Kirk has the audacity to try criticizing Djou for “not caring” about 9-11 or the people who risked their lives that day. Kirk has never risked anything in his life, and certainly not for the good of our nation!
A month after 9-11, Djou raised his hand and swore an oath to defend this country with HIS LIFE. And even I remember when he bailed on his own campaign for Congress to go serve IN COMBAT in Afghanistan.
The only time Kirk ever raises his hand is if somebody at the anonymous swinger’s party asks, “Any creepy kooks like Asian women…or boys?”
Or when the nurse at Betty Ford comes out to the waiting room and calls out, “GUARDIAN OF MAYA CALDWELL???”
On behalf of all of my friends and relatives who have served in our country’s wars, some of whom never made it home or made it home the same, I have a message for Kirk and whoever wrote that insulting commercial: F*** OFF.
Any one who believe taking up arms and serving in the military is the only measure of honor, dedication, and sacrifice for our country is not only delusional but hypocritical. There were thousands who died in the twin towers attack, including uniformed men in police and fire departments who truly SACRIFICED. Sir, Djou “bailed” on these brave men and women, just like how you’re doing now. Djou, you, and others like you can go “F… OFF”.
That you, Kirk? Or one of your campaign staffers? You guys get really defensive! Those recent internal polls didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear, huh? Peter’s voters not swing your way? Boss beginning to panick? Guess that city job you were promised gets further and further away.
It’s ok, just 8 weeks left. In 8 weeks, after outspending Cheap Charlie’s campaign 10 to 1, blowing multi-millions on an ugly smear campaign that locals will hate you for, you will lose the race by a nice, healthy margin and I hope Kirk pays you guys severance…after he’s done crying like a little girl (like when he lost to Peter).
The only difference between you (Kirk) and Neil is that people eventually forgave Neil and some still like him a little bit.
I shamed you good didn’t I? Mission accomplished!
What is a guy who looks like a banana, talks like a banana, and acts like a banana. HE’S A BANANA!
Resorting to racism now to try to score points? I can say something about your guy Cadwell’s wife: She’s Asian with a LITTLE white inside.
Djou needs to respond in a counter TV to defend his voting record because technically, he admitted he did vote NO so how can Djou sue Kirk for libel? In that add can he can talk about how he served in the National Guard and was stationed in Iraq (?) while Kirk NEVER served in the military and never put on a uniform. Common Djou, fight fire with fire, don’t wimp out. Immediately release a more biting TV commercial to defend yourself against arm chair warrior Kirk.
Apparently people were against taking care of the first responders, Djou included. Once the recommit vote failed, since they were “all” in favor, he should have voted in favor. At least be clear, he only support first responders on his terms. Oh well, too bad first responders, my fiscal principles got in way of your need.
No, the banana had to kiss up to his white masters.
David opinion does not matter. He is s a loser. I am surprised that with ariyoshi’s ibacking. Caldwell is a loser
Caldwell learnedr from the best! PRP, prettyrotten people.
They’re nothing compared to banana’s white masters.
That PRP one hit too close to home, eh? Exposed who pays you for posting your propaganda eh?
Ladies and Gentlemen…PRP is back in force and here’s their front man: oxytailZero
I believe most can see thru the same that Caldwell backers did during the Cayetano campaign…Djou has held steadfast and will continue to receive our Family’s support. Good Luck Charles! 🙂
“On Thursday two Democratic City Council members said they support Djou.” How can two (D) members support a (R)?