We get it: A candidate’s job is not to highlight the accolades of his or her opponent. But hearing former Congressman Ed Case talk about his U.S. Senate opponent, Mazie Hirono, yesterday, we were curious: What does Case actually like or respect about Hirono?

“I do think that she has a compelling life story,” Case said. “I do admire the lengths that she’s come in her life for a difficult start to her life. I think that that is an accomplishment.” 

Case also had this to say about his relationship with Hirono:

“You know we’ve known each other for a while now. I did endorse her in the governor’s race (in 2002). I stood up and endorsed her and I think that had some benefit to her. We’ve had a relationship. It’s not unlike being a lawyer where you go into court and try as hard as you can to win. It doesn’t mean you hate the other side. You don’t. You do a good job and you hopefully have a good relationship afterwards. But if somebody messes you up, personally, from a character perspective, along the way, yeah, it’s going to mess up your relationship.”