Posted on 10/25/2004 8:54:06 PM PDT by ambrose
TheHawaiiChannel
Rarity: Presidential Campaigns Send Ads To Hawaii Polls Show Race In Virtual Dead Heat
POSTED: 5:15 PM HST October 25, 2004
HONOLULU -- With the presidential campaign virtually tied in Hawaii, Democrats and Republicans have started to buy television-advertising time in the islands. It's a significant move, since presidential campaigns usually do not normally spend advertising money in Hawaii.
Viewers should start seeing presidential campaign spots on TV as soon as Tuesday night in Hawaii.
The move comes just two days after two polls came out showing the presidential race neck and neck in the islands. The Democratic National Committee and the Bush campaign called television sales departments and the Democrats began buying ad time.
"It reminds everybody how little a player Hawaii generally is in presidential elections. So much so that the candidates assume it was going to be the same way this time," University of Hawaii political science professor Neal Milner said.
Local Bush and Kerry campaign officials told KITV 4 News they didn't know that their national organizations were buying television time here, until a reporter called them to ask about it.
"It means it's worth something to both parties to really make an effort here, as much of an effort as they can make, short of actually getting the candidates here," Milner said.
National campaign officials offered no specifics about how much money they'll spend on Hawaii TV ads, what ads will run and when, but they did offer healthy doses of spin.
"The people in Hawaii are just like the people all across America, who are anxious for a change in direction in the leadership of their country. They want a president just like John Kerry who has the right priorities, and who will fight for them in the White House," said Josh Earnest of the DNC.
"The fact that John Kerry is playing defense in this state really speaks to the president's leadership and really speaks to the fact that his priorities are in line with Hawaii," said Tracey Shmitt of the Bush campaign.
TV advertising veterans can't remember the last time presidential campaigns bought television time in Hawaii before a general election.
A poll by KITV 4 News and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin found that Bush holds a 0.6 percent lead over Kerry ; 46 percent versus 45.4 percent for Kerry. More than 600 registered voters were surveyed. The poll has a 4 percent margin of error.
Howlie Bush will beat Liberal Beanstalk by 10 points in Hawaii!
This is the equivalent of snow falling in Honululu. I suspect the Hawaiians, so far across the lonely Pacific, feel vulnerable to those monsters who want to kill us all.
If these polling numbers are true, Kerry is in deep trouble.
Hawaii is a liberal stronghold.
So, what is the time difference to Hawaii in case those 4 EVs become important on Nov. 2?
Bush and sKerry just put ad money into Mass. and that's something that never happens. We may be looking at a rout. It's the only answer. Keepy up the great work, work, work!
I wish there was some way to make it illegal to "announce a winner" until ALL the polls have closed.
The Democratic People Republic of Hawaii IS NO MORE!
That's the point. If Hawaii is in a dead heat, then the election is essentially just going to turn into a Bush landslide. I'm not saying get complacent. What I am saying is that what is falling one must continue to push. W, folks. Let's re-elect him.
Let's have a great victory for W in Hawaii!
Hawaii is 6 hours behind EST. So 9pm EST is 3pm in Hawaii... and Hawaii is very slow with its vote count.
Hawaii tends to support incumbents over challengers.
Hawaii, if you re-elect W, I promise to one day take a vacation there!!
JUST WOW.
**A poll by KITV 4 News and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin found that Bush holds a 0.6 percent lead over Kerry; **
Wow!
Exactly. I also refer you to post 10.
If those 4 EV's are important, we'll know it while eating breakfast I suppose.
**I wish there was some way to make it illegal to "announce a winner" until ALL the polls have closed.**
At least they have waited until the west coast has voted now.
Hawaii and I hear they are even running ads in Mass-A-Taxes. Thats crazy. Kerry can't even hang on to his base.
I just did a massive triple take; since when was Hawaii in play?
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