With the primary battle between Democrats Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann heating up, negative slams emerging, charges of dirty tricks flying, and the prospects of much more to come in the two months or so before the primary, a word of caution.
This is an especially heated campaign, given the history of these two candidates. Many people have strong feelings, pro and con, about each of them.
But Democrats, if not careful, could find themselves in danger of repeating the 1986 Congressional election outcome, where enough Dems were turned off by the ugly Abercrombie-Hannemann primary that they didn’t unite around Hannemann in the general election, allowing the seat to go to Republican Pat Saiki. Let me rephrase that. I think it’s fair to say that voters were turned off by the relentlessly negative tone of Hannemann’s attacks during that primary campaign. And that’s what Republicans are hoping to see repeated in 2010.
Could the same thing happen in this year’s gubernatorial race? Well, I hope not. But the more heated the words and images, the more possible it becomes that a significant number of Democrats could refuse to vote for “the other guy.” I would hate to see that happen.
What do you think?
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An increasing number of people feel no attachment to either or any party.
So for those that would never see themselves as Republican but also see the local Democratic party as failing its core values and being an old style machine, where do they turn?
Refusing to vote or participate is not a good answer. How about just seeking truth and action regardless of party. Vote the best people into office. And if partisan or inter-partisan bickering is particularly nasty, then those may not be the best people. Let them know it by communicating this with them and by taking your vote elsewhere.
You make a valid point. It’s almost as if Abercrombie and Hanneman are at this standoff that each would prefer the other losing than actually winning himself.
That said, the huge difference this time around is that the Republican is Aiona and not Saiki. Saiki was far easier to swallow than Aiona will ever be. She was a moderate and believed that the church is not a part of government.
Wasn’t the reason for Saiki’s win was that many Republicans crossed over in the Democratic primary to vote for Hannemann so that Saiki would face the weaker Democrat in the general? If I recall correctly, that 1986 election was one of Hawaii’s first “open” primaries that allowed crossover votes.
I agree that this is a risk.
I would like to see Duke Bainum’s wife, Jennifer, make some kind of public statement in support of candidates taking the high road. I for one recall the last days of the Bainum-Hannemann race, and how that went down. It was destructive and ugly, and Hawaii should not let it happen again.
Is Mahina suggesting that the Hawaii Reporter articles about Jennifer Bainum were somehow part of the Hannemann campaign? Clearly, she didn’t read them.
If you can provide evidence that anything the Hannemann campaign actually did was “destructive and ugly” you should post it. Otherwise, I believe your false accusations are more proof of the blatant hypocrisy and double standards that flourish around local elections.
It’s people like you that makes us say – Anybody but Mufi”.
Too much shibai. Too much corruption. Too much spin.
“shibai” and “spin” are subjective. “Corruption” has a very definite meaning. If you have actual evidence you should provide it to the Attorney General or City Prosecutor, if you do not…you should also stop making accusations you can’t back up.
As I said elsewhere: the stakes are too high, the history too deep, and the animosity too real for this to be anything but a bloodmatch.
Does anybody know how the 37 democratic LG candidates are lining up? Who is showing guts and publicly backing Neil or Mufi? And who is hedging and hiding?
Very good point about the LG candidates.
And who among them has made even a passing comment about the boring but critically important “secretary of state”-like duties that the LG actually performs? The Weekly began a series on the LG candidates last week (starting with Schatz for reasons unknown to me). It may, but probably won’t answer some of the questions posed by WooWoo. I’ve heard Schatz is a Mufi-man.
Goes to show how little you all are paying attention to these races, Ohia and Woowoo.
All the LG candidates have been busy little bees. Just because we arent being forced to bear witness to the Mufi-Neil level of BS, does not mean the candidates havent been working hard. Theres simply more of them, a less dramatic history, and with all the hot air going to the Gov race – less TV air time. But if you go check out all their websites or their Facebook pages, you’ll be surprised how hard they really are all working their collective campaigns.
The Weekly has indeed given a small column to begin looking at the various LG candidates, starting with Brian. I suspect they started with Brian because he’s the most visible at this point, given his role in the D-party and Obama’s campaign. Or perhaps because he was a Weekly former contributor. But to say you’ve ‘heard’ Schatz is a Mufi-man is to say you’ve ‘heard’ Sakamoto is with Neil, or Hooser is with Mufi. None of this is true because I dont believe that theres going to be a single one of these LGs who is stupid enough to align with either one at this point in the game. I believe they are all staying as neutral as can be expected, and I think both Gov candidates understand and respect that they have their own races to contend with.
Oh, Hipoli, if only I could be as smart and good-looking as you!
The comment about Schatz’s preference was made because it was related to me by a person with a relationship to Schatz that would put the person in a position to know AND because, without such “insider” information, we would not know his actual position, for all the reasons you state.
Oh, BTW, do any of those websites or Facebook pages make any mention of the LG’s actual duties or are they all just being “GL”: “Governor Lite,” as in, making statements as if THEY were running for Governor themselves or are practicing to do so? Or, did you just ignore my observation in your rush to tell WooWoo and me how clueless we are?
Hipoli-
I most definitely am not paying much attention to the LG race at this time (although I note that Sakamoto got TV up pretty durned early… let’s see where that money’s coming from). My query was not an implication that they haven’t been doing anything, its just me being lazy.
Personally, I don’t see staying neutral as being very smart. It may seem safe, but if other candidates start picking sides the guy left in the middle is not going to get anything. If I were in the race, I’d pick a side and come out early. The meek may inherit the earth, but they won’t win political office.
I don’t think all the LG candidates (or all the any other candidates) are busting their okoles on the campaign trail. I think any serious candidate is, however.
I mean, does Paul Manner who is running for governor really spend 24/7 campaigning, raising money, etc? Here’s a guy who ran against Sen. Akaka because he claimed the senator was the anti-Christ.
As far as staying neutral, that’s not unusual. If any candidate out there believes that by hanging on to someone’s coattails will result in victory, they will absolutely do it. But why would any LG candidate openly and aggressively throw their support (besides Finnegan with Aiona) behind a gubernatorial candidate?
What if the other guy wins? In politics, as in life, you keep your eye on the prize. If the prize is the LG’s office, keep your focus on that.
As far as the actual duties of the LG, it largely depends on the largesse of the governor. I can’t see either Abercrombie or Hanneman handing over substantive policy issues to the LG.
On the other hand, who knows? Maybe Aiona will give Finnegan the task of getting beer banned at tailgate parties and take the easy stuff for him.
Ohia – I think each LG will need to work towards defining how each would work to make that office useful and meaningful. Personally, because you all know I am paying attention, Im looking for what they would do to compliment and help the Gov. And again, read a few of their websites – all Im saying is that I happen to think a few of them are trying to be more substantive than not.
I dont know who your ‘insider’ is – but Im totally sure that if we ask Mufi if Schatz has been hanging out with him, Mufi would have a good laugh. Charles is totally right (again) on his assessment as to why.
We know where a chunk of Sakamoto’s money is coming from: Mitch D’Olier and church company. Boy, will I look forward to hearing how Sakamoto would work with Neil and compliment his policies. Not.
And on that note, its time for me to take my good-looking and smart (thats funny!) self and go watch the HB444 decision.
Just Do The Right Thing, Governor Lingle!
She didn’t do the right thing. I’m baffled why the governor believes this is marriage by another name. Try and see if the federal government feels the same way.
The governor wants this to be put on the ballot. History has shown time and time again that civil rights are not something that is decided by popular vote.
Disappointing, to say the least.
Agreed, Charles. That was sad to bear witness to, especially when I think of the bravery the Legislature displayed. Now, we can only with this Governor had shown the same.
More and more, I believe this movement should now evolve to completely remove the State of Hawaii from the business of marriage. Perhaps grandfather existing state-licensed marriages, but begin the process to remove the Department of Health from the charge of marriage completely and then allow the churches to certify ‘marriages’.
Today simply confirmed this.
I know we are going to start asking candidates ‘are you for or against civil unions?’ and this will become the great divider, even more than it already is.
But what would happen if instead we ask the candidates: Do you think the State of Hawaii should be in the business of ‘marriage’?
Can the the movement shift from ‘same-sex civil unions’ to ‘civil unions for all instead of marriage’ now, not later?
I think that would change the playing field of this election, indeed.
She didnt do the right thing. So we’re moving on.
Take the State Out of Licensing Marriages.
Sorry, typo. We can only WISH this Governor had shown the same bravery as the Legislature that she instead consistently uses as a scapegoat.
hipoli, your idea of repealing the marriage law is intriguing and has merit but, ultimately, it’s a flawed argument.
If Hawaii had no marriage law and simply went with a civil unions law for all couples, that would be fine and dandy only to a limited degree.
When it comes to state benefits and obligations, no problem.
The big problem is with federal benefits such as social security, veteran’s benefits, medicare, medicaid, etc.
The Feds do not recognize civil unions as a legal mechanism to receive federal benefits. I doubt any heterosexual couple would want to forego those benefits.
That said, I believe the Feds should simply pass a federal civil unions bill or at a minimum recognize civil unions passed at the state level.
I say simple because it’s simple in concept and implementation.
Politically? Near impossible.
Damn.
I just want us to get the darn churches out of this argument about the religious institution of marriage. To me, fine, let them have marriages. But then the State should level the playing field for the rest of us, on both teams, who have no interest in the religiousness of marriage.
Today just felt like when you know someone is going to die, and youve been trying to prepare yourself for it, but then it happens, and you still feel sad and depressed.
Plus, I need a new line. Just Do the Right Thing isnt working when the Governor Just Didn’t.
You could also check out who is backing the particular LG candidate on the ground as well as a gubernatorial pick. Schatz’s folks on the Valley Isle, for example, include his former Dem. Party Vice-Chair whose family backs the Mufi, but also includes some Filipino community folk without any obvious Gov pick. Hooser appears to have the haole Dem. Party apparatus who seem solidly behind Neil. Sakamoto has some of Ed Case’s old boys who have been neutral on the Gov race. Jon Riki has someone putting up yard signs. Berg appeared at Neil’s HQ opening and has some Neil supporters helping with Talk Stories (Mufi opens his Maui HQ this weekend so we’ll see if Lyla shows up). Bobby’s people seem to be Bobby’s people. Now if you’re playing ethnic matchy-matchy, I suppose you would think Brian and Gary would be remoras for the Mufi, but you never know how the voters will decide (remember that great ticket of Waihee-Anderson or Heftel-Cayetano or Case-Matsunaga).