HONOLULU -- Former President Bill Clinton spoke to Hawaii reporters Wednesday, in an effort to convince Hawaii voters to choose Democrat Sen. John Kerry for president.

Video

WATCH REPORT

A KITV 4 News poll has the presidential race virtually tied in Hawaii and as a result, the Democratic National Committee is spending $200,000 on television ads here.

The DNC also arranged for satellite interviews with Clinton, from his home in New York.

KITV 4 News asked him to explain why the race in Hawaii is neck and neck with Kerry and President George W. Bush in this former Democratic stronghold.

"I don't think the candidates have had a great presence there, and the issues haven't been fully debated. Secondly, until at least the last couple of days, only President Bush was advertising out there. And third, you've got a popular Republican governor who's been loyal to her president, as she should be," Clinton said.

Television ad executives say Clinton is wrong. They said the Bush campaign has not yet run any ads in Hawaii. However, Bush officials did contact TV stations on Monday to inquire about ad rates.

Clinton said now that Congress has adjourned, Sen. Dan Inouye and other top Isle Democrats can stump for Kerry.

"He'll be a good commander in chief, and your best authority on that is Sen. Dan Inouye, who like John Kerry, is a wounded war veteran, and has served with him for 20 years and strongly supports him," Clinton said.

Democrats began running anti-Bush ads in Hawaii Tuesday, but Clinton said it should have happened sooner.

"And I think when we get our points out, we're going to do fine," he said.

"I think people, when they have to actually go in and vote, will recognize that the president has kept us safe since 9/11," Lingle said.

Clinton said Kerry is sensitive to issues of importance in Hawaii.

"He supports compensation for Filipino veterans. He supports Sen. Akaka's bill for recognition for Native Hawaiians," Clinton said.

He said Kerry's plan to expand the military and double the size of Special Forces will enable the United States to be more effective in the Iraq war.

Hawaii Republicans feel that Clinton's message here is too little too late, similar to when he campaigned statewide for Democratic candidate for governor, Mazie Hirono, in 2002. Hirono lost.