Members of Stop Rail Now, target of Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s blistering ad this week skewering opponents to the Honolulu rail project, took the mayor to task for using his campaign funds to finance his attack.

I beg to differ.

There is no issue as identified with Hannemann as rail. If he wants to be re-elected this fall — though so far ANY competitors are waiting in the wings — progress on the rail project is key. Barbara Wong, who heads the Campaign Spending Commission, thinks it’s wholly appropriate, too.

Had he used the city public-information contracts for this purpose, then there would have been cause to complain, especially as the tone is so combative.

TOO combative, some might say. Hannemann indeed may be surprised that some of his former supporters were turned off by his abrasiveness in the ad.

But I’m fine with his treatment of the dust-up as a legitimate campaign issue. He spent his money, he assumes the risk of any fallout. The Stop Rail folks haven’t been pulling their punches, either. Might as well take the gloves off.

All’s fair in love and war. This IS war, isn’t it?

— Vicki Viotti 

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