Dear Panos: run again and win next time!

Panos ran a very respectable first race for political office. The outcome of this General Election remains to be seen. Mufi will undoubtedly outspend and ratchet up his attacks against Ann Kobayashi and her allies.

Honolulu needs a mayor who really can fix the many problems facing Oahu taxpayers. In the next two years, what do we expect from an absentee mayor who will be too busy running for higher office?

Panos should run again for mayor and win next time.


PANOS’ IMPACT ON 2008 MAYORAL ELECTION RESULTS

Total Turnout for “Special Election” 159,203 = 35.3% turnout

Between Panos and Ann, they checked the mayor to a 48.1 to 46.6 split.

Mufi spent about $1.5 million for 78,537 or 48.1% of votes = $19 per vote
Ann spent $200,000+ for 48,730 or 29.4% votes = $4.10
Panos spent about $40,000 for 27,459 or 17.2% of votes = $1.46

Panos’ ran a frugal campaign on a severely limited budget. Compared to Panos' spending on his mayoral race, Stop Rail Now spent about $60,000 (twice as much) for the initiative campaign.
> Panos 27,459 votes is less than the 37,000 SRN validated signatures.
> Ann got 11,000 votes more than the SRN signatories.


WHAT ABOUT THE VOTE?

How many voted for Ann just because they “thought that Panos couldn’t win”?


WHAT DID VOTERS LEARN FROM PANOS?

> Leadership and character to fight for what you believe in to help Save Oahu.
> Education about the “sick infrastructure” and practical solutions
> Panos is a competitive, witty, intelligent candidate on the stump
> Campaigning is about having fun and energy putting out your message
> Politics does not have to be slimy


WHAT PANOS GAINED FROM RUNNING FOR MAYOR

> Respect for challenging politicians and the status quo
> Earned huge, invaluable goodwill
> Widened name recognition and visibility
> Charismatic persona for wit, humor and straight talk
> Found new and trustworthy friends
> Has base of at least 27,459 voters to begin running for next mayoral campaign
> Invaluable experience to run a successful race for mayor


WHY IS PANOS A HERO?

“Does it make [Panos] the best candidate for mayor? Maybe not. But it makes him a hero to all outsiders and underdogs.”
-- Lee Cataluna, 9/12/08


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