HI-1: Kaniela Ing vs Doug Chin

[morgieb]

Chin is quite literally a private prison industry lobbyist, and a comically corrupt one at that:

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Yeah, that's fair enough. Guess I'll reluctantly stick with Ing, despite his personal issues.

[Ye We Can]

Fukumoto's pretty hot tbh, but I don't think she gets anywhere.

Well I was wrong. I don't know whether to be glad or meh.

[RussFeingoldWasRobbed]

Buh buh we need a moderate in order to hold down a D+17 seat!!!!!

[Zipinparadise]

YE, I got a better idea! How about we elect an actual progressive in the first place and leave that question unanswered. Why would you would rather risk backing a former Republican then someone who actually supports programs that benefit the 99%? Being a former moderate republican suggests that she most likely doesn't support Bernie's economic agenda and probably left the GOP b/c 1. it's impossible to get elected as a republican in Hawaii(there are ZERO in the legislature) and 2. the republicans have become increasingly right wing and nationalist, not because her views changed

Today the Honolulu branch of Americans for Democratic Action endorsed the ex-Repug, Beth Fukumoto -- showing just how messed up this race has become!  I'm a Our Revolution-HI member, and my impression is that Kaniela Ing has lost very little support among progressive voters.  Granted, the early poll was not impressive -- but he DID lead among the youngest age group (18-35, I think).  The ADA here is very loosely organized, even in comparison to other Democratic-leaning orgs, and is mostly all retirees -- that I think explains better than anything why they didn't endorse Kaniela.  The key dynamic remains that Ing is the ONLY progressive on the ballot in this race, and can't be counted out, if his supporters from ORH, DSA (Democratic Socialists of Honolulu, in this case) are able to GOTV for him.  Ed Case's entry only adds more of a split among centrist liberals/conservatives.  I noted that upon hearing the news, even the establishment Clinton supporters were all saying "Case is a DINO".  Ed has easily the greatest name recognition however, and is sure to win a lot of the centrist-conservative and the older haole vote!
No non-corrupt progressive exists in this race. What do you expect me to do, lie about my age, catch a plane to Hawaii, and run for this seat?  BTW, let me add that it has not been mentioned, BUT Doug Chin has a VERY poorly and cheaply operated campaign.  He has had no broadcast commercials, no newspaper ads, and even few banners and lawn signs.  I almost want to call his a "token" campaign!

[Galaxie]

Ing vs Fukumoto easily one of the most attractive primary match-ups in the country, though.

At least we have that going for us.

[Antonio the Sixth]

What's wrong with Ing exactly? He seems like the obvious choice in this race.

[Jeppe]

What's wrong with Ing exactly? He seems like the obvious choice in this race.

Ethics issues. He embezzled money from his legislator allowance for personal expenses, like paying off his wife’s credit card and paying his own rent. He also failed to report $30,000 in campaign contributions. He got fined $15,000 for those violations.

[Antonio the Sixth]

What's wrong with Ing exactly? He seems like the obvious choice in this race.

Ethics issues. He embezzled money from his legislator allowance for personal expenses, like paying off his wife’s credit card and paying his own rent. He also failed to report $30,000 in campaign contributions. He got fined $15,000 for those violations.

Oh, not great. Then again, it's Hawaii, so I doubt his opponents are much better.

[Jeppe]

What's wrong with Ing exactly? He seems like the obvious choice in this race.

Ethics issues. He embezzled money from his legislator allowance for personal expenses, like paying off his wife’s credit card and paying his own rent. He also failed to report $30,000 in campaign contributions. He got fined $15,000 for those violations.

Oh, not great. Then again, it's Hawaii, so I doubt his opponents are much better.

Mark Takai really was one of a kind, but Fukumoto’s the closest we got to a sane, scandal-free mainstream progressive, despite her past Republican affiliation. The rest are a weird mix of conservative beliefs & rhetoric, and Ing.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Isn't Fukumoto a Blue Dog?

[Jeppe]

Isn't Fukumoto a Blue Dog?

No, she’s running as a progressive Democrat. Ed Case is the stereotypical Blue Dog, Donna Mercado Kim & Doug Chin are iffy on gay rights.

If I had to guess, Fukumoto probably ran as a Republican because the Democratic establishment in Hawaii is cancerous & corrupt. It’s not like she ran in a Republican stronghold or anything, she defeated a Democratic incumbent to win her state house seat.

Similar to how conservatives like Tulsi Gabbard’s dad is a Democrat, despite being a Republican in all but name. Party identification doesn’t mean a whole lot in Hawaii. At least it didn’t before Trump came along and scared away people like Charles Djou and Fukumoto.

[Antonio the Sixth]

That makes sense. I'm still distrustful but I'll give her a chance.

[Babeuf]

Ing has his issues but Fukumoto voted against marriage equality in 2013 and same day registration in 2014 so it's not like she's always been some great progressive. Ing is still the best choice here imo.

Also, Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed him:
https://twitter.com/Ocasio2018/status/1012143777694306304

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

Ing has his issues but Fukumoto voted against marriage equality in 2013 so it's not like she's always been some great progressive. Ing is still the best choice here imo.

Also, Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed him:
https://twitter.com/Ocasio2018/status/1012143777694306304

She definitely has the potential to boost Ing's image since her social media following has exploded since her election.

Still rooting for Fukumoto here.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Definitely rooting for Ing then.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Rooting for Mark Takai's ghost at this point. All of them are terrible.

[MAINEiac4434]

So the race is three homophobes against a guy with a campaign finance issue.

There is no choice. Ing is head and shoulders above the field here.

[Jeppe]

So the race is three homophobes against a guy with a campaign finance issue.

There is no choice. Ing is head and shoulders above the field here.

*A guy with a history of commiting financial fraud.

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

GO DOUGLAS CHIN!!

[wesmoorenerd]

Man, Hawaii politics are weird. Like West Virginia level weird.

[RussFeingoldWasRobbed]

I'm this close to changing my avatar to green. I swear. The fact that dems are rooting for moderate to conservative democrats to win a D+17 seat is ridiculous

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

I'm this close to changing my avatar to green. I swear. The fact that dems are rooting for moderate to conservative democrats to win a D+17 seat is ridiculous

Maybe because some of us want moderates to actually run this country instead of crazy ideologues from both extremes who will continue the gridlock.

[Jeppe]

I'm this close to changing my avatar to green. I swear. The fact that dems are rooting for moderate to conservative democrats to win a D+17 seat is ridiculous

It’s too bad no serious progressive candidate stepped up. The only one in the race is like Alan Grayson 2.0, but with more mugshots.

[Jeppe]

I'm this close to changing my avatar to green. I swear. The fact that dems are rooting for moderate to conservative democrats to win a D+17 seat is ridiculous

The only one in the race is like Alan Grayson 2.0, but with more mugshots.

The issue with Alan Grayson is that he's a domestic abuser, not his ideology. (Which is very good, in contrast to Kaniela Ing's, which is, of course, perfect)

He also committed financial fraud, running a hedge fend on the Cayman Isles. I guess Ing’s crime was significantly less complicated, he just embezzled the government out of money.

Given how audacious Ing’s actions were, I’m surprised he didn’t get more than a huge fine. He got dangerously close to jail time territory, but I guess Hawaii has lax corruption laws for obvious reasons.

[Zaybay]

I'm this close to changing my avatar to green. I swear. The fact that dems are rooting for moderate to conservative democrats to win a D+17 seat is ridiculous

Become a socialist, its much better.

I'm this close to changing my avatar to green. I swear. The fact that dems are rooting for moderate to conservative democrats to win a D+17 seat is ridiculous

The only one in the race is like Alan Grayson 2.0, but with more mugshots.

The issue with Alan Grayson is that he's a domestic abuser, not his ideology. (Which is very good, in contrast to Kaniela Ing's, which is, of course, perfect)

He also committed financial fraud, running a hedge fend on the Cayman Isles. I guess Ing’s crime was significantly less complicated, he just embezzled the government out of money.

Given how audacious Ing’s actions were, I’m surprised he didn’t get more than a huge fine. He got dangerously close to jail time territory, but I guess Hawaii has lax corruption laws for obvious reasons.

This whole race is terrible, and I want none of them to win. Fukimoto is an opportunist, Ing has his embezzlement problems and the rest are iffy or Blue Dogs. Why does the senate get such legends Brian Schatz while the house is stuck with these bozos.