Wading through campaign finance data is an ongoing process.
The raw data–lists of individual contributions as reported by candidates–are the easiest to report but tell only part of the story.
Massaging the data means combining the raw contributions of related donors, such as officers of the same company or group of related companies. Sometimes contributions are identified by the donor’s employer and profession, which makes helps finding relationships. But the computer is swayed by litt things in the data like misspellings, misplaced punctuation, etc.. So there’s an ongoing process of human observation combined with computer searching that eventually yields increasingly interesting information.
I’ve spent a little time continuing to work with Senator Hanabusa’s contributions, and came up with another list of top contributors. This one combines contributions from corporate and union PACs with those of individuals associated with them, or multiple officers and employees from the same businesses.
It’s sort of a progress report on what needs to be done to make much sense of it all.
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Did I miss the blog entry where you indicated your support for Case, Ian? Because it sure does seem like youre pickin’ on Colleen.
The ‘relationships’ are best found in Case’s camp, now arent they? Colleen’s not from family money. Shes not naturally rich the way Case is. But Case’s family has its own insiders – and problems. Hows about aligning those stars a bit for us?
Be fair, Ian.
Colleen’s just a local tita trying to make good & do good. She’s also a long-standing labor attorney. Of course you’re going to see union support – thats the closest thing to ‘family money’ she’s got.
Every single race needs money. Change the system – then you wouldnt have to do this kind of reporting, where you seek to caste doubt and seek to lead us down a path of mistrust against, in this case, Colleen.
Or, it sure does seem like thats what youre trying to do here, Ian. Perhaps Im wrong.
Be clear to your readers about where you stand in this particular race or be more fair in what your reporting (again, if you already have and I missed it, Im wrong here). You dont have to do as I suggest (it is after all, your blog) but I think that would be most fair and honest to your loyal readers.
I should add this too, to be fair, what anyone who reads our local blogs should know by now: Im a Colleen supporter. Im not on her staff, not paid in any way, havent even made a single contribution. I just like the woman and believe in her for Hawaii, now and in the future.
The title says “Beginning to refine”
Ian’s doing what the press is supposed to do, report and analyze, of course the press doesn’t get to do much of it around here any more. Then again it appears that there isn’t much of a readership for it anymore either.
And stop the veiled ad hominem attacks if you have not even read Ian’s past commentaries: “you wouldnt have to do this kind of reporting, where you seek to caste doubt and seek to lead us down a path of mistrust” and “be more fair in what your reporting” and “I think that would be most fair and honest to your loyal readers.”
This state is pretty far gone when readers expect blind loyalty from reporters.
I believe Ian has stated in this blog that the Senate President would have been his choice if he lived in town. Perhaps, it is, in fact, fairness that is dictating Ian’s compulsion to connect the dots of Hanabusa’s campaign contributions.
Why do people constantly refer to Ed Case’s family as “rich”?
His cousin Steve Case might be wealthy but that’s not from family money — Ed’s and Steve’s extended family have WORKED for whatever money they have — Steve’s father practices law, as does Ed’s father (at two separate signature and venerable Honolulu law firms). Ed’s sister Suzanne works for a non-profit (the local Nature Conservancy group) that provides stewardship for Hawaii’s natural resources.
If Ed and his immediate kin had as much as money as folks seem to assume, he shouldn’t have had a fundraising problem at the end of the campaign.
Or…maybe it just means even Case’s family doesn’t like him enough to give him as much money as strangers give to other candidates?
First, Ive been reading Ian’s blog for well over – mygosh – Ive lost count – 8 years now? Perhaps because this one hits a bit closer to home, Im scrutinizing his entry a bit more than my norm.
I dont expect blind loyalty. However, from bloggers with whom we readers share more of an intimate relationship with than standard reporters, I suppose I do expect a higher (highest) level of honesty. It looks like he’s pickin’ on Colleen. So I ask Ian directly: Is He?
Pono, I like your argument about fairness. I agree – connect the dots. But do so across the board. Yes, that takes time (sorry, if Im being too impatient with you, Ian). But the headlines between the two related posts thus far, to me, seemed to caste the doubt of which I speak. “Case Contributor List Looks Modest in Comparison”. On the surface, maybe. But I gotta wonder about the depth of those dots?
Colleen’s not from family money. Nikki, Case is. He just is. Major local law firm, HPA, building at Punahou, etc. etc. The money is just there easily, naturally for Ed & arguing differently is futile. Thats why I know Ed’s still not done here, despite his showing in this first CD1 race. He’ll run now and again and again, until he gets to whatever it is he wants. And more money will just come to him! Had Hanabusa come in third, she would have been kaput. Her money has to come from somewhere. Are we saying only rich boys and girls need apply for candidacy? I dont think so.
And so, here I suggest that while it is good that Ian connect the dots, I hope it is presented with balance that, again, it seems to me, is a bit askew.
This is the sort of politics we really don’t need in Hawaii but I guess it’s here. Invent motives for others’ actions, then demand they defend themselves. “It looks like he’s pickin’ on Colleen. So I ask Ian directly: Is He?”
Concede on one front then launch a personal attack on another: “I dont expect blind loyalty. However, from bloggers with whom we readers share more of an intimate relationship with than standard reporters, I suppose I do expect a higher (highest) level of honesty.” So Ian isn’t being honest? Really? Where? Or is this just a drive by?
Richard Nixon is rubbing his hands together in heaven and smiling. Karl Rove thinks the Democrats are dumb enough to fall for it.
For whatever it’s worth, Ed Case is not close to his cousin, Steven Case. Or vice-versa.