I’ll probably take some flack for saying this, but I was impressed by Mufi Hannemann’s public graciousness in defeat.
We saw him out late yesterday on Pali Highway with a group of supporters, waving a post-election “thank you” to passing motorists.
I give him credit for that. But I guess it means he doesn’t see this as the end of his political career.
What’s next for Mufi? Any thoughts?
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as I mentioned the other day, I’ll be very curious which large corp. hires him and in what role? Doc Buyers isn’t here to fill that role anymore. I would suggest,for appearance sake, NOT going to an engineering or construction firm,as that would just confirm many folks suspicions.
Don’t be fooled. He’s trying to do damage control. Period. It’s hard to make zebras change their stripes.
I thought the exact same thing. He was also out on the corner of Likelike and School Street around 4:45 pm yesterday. I was at first surprised to see him and his supporters out there waving, but then I thought “how cool is that?” I for one am happy that he didn’t win the primary, but I have to give him credit for his graciousness in defeat.
-r-
As for Mufi’s graciousness, it may in fact be what it appears. However, I think Lee Cataluna hit it on the head in yesterday’s column. Rather than summarize, read for yourself.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20100921_Hannemann_still_needs_to_grow_into_greatness.html
As for me, I still believe past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior and what others see as Mufi’s “graciousness” is, to me, a sign that he’s tending to the flock to keep them home for the next race. “Gracious”? Maybe. Smart? Definitely.
Let the race for the next open U.S. Senate seat begin!
I would rather have Rod Tam win over Mufi for any office.
The willingness of politicians to abase themselves in defeat is useful to the essential comity of the American political system, but think how refreshing it would be if Mufi vented his dismay more honestly or simply didn’t do anything but quietly move on with his life. Sign-holding before an election is humiliating enough but this post-election-loser variant reveals a depth of yearning that can only be described as sad.
Thanks, Ian, for reminding us to keep things in perspective.
My hope is that the new, older, wiser Abercrombie will consider bringing Hannemann into his administration, if elected in November. Mufi had/has the support of a large segment of the business community and three of the state’s mayors. By appointing Mufi the director of DBEDT, Neil will show that like president Obama he understands the value of reconciliation and that change occurs as part of a continuum.
He’s beeen there, done that (under Waihee). I doubt his ego would let him go backwards like that, especially if it means working for Neil.
I think it’s over for Hannemann.
Hawai’i can’t afford to have in highest offices;
a) Corporate shills
b) Incompetent media spinning do nothings
c) Theocratic polarizers
So far so good in Gov. race. Will be double Dem soon in US House. Keep focus on issues, leadership and pols. who can competently represent the broadest mass of people while in office. Ignore media with no anchor in the above criteria.
Funny how so many of you trash Mufi for being “mean spirited”, aloof, ego maniac …whatever, but many of the same people casting the first stone show themselves to not carry themeselve much better. You should be ashamed of yourself. So what if he wants to try and run again for something later?? You can still vote him down if that’s floats your boat. Relax, take a deep breath. BTW, did anyone see the absolutely childish behavior of our new Mayor last night on the news? Rolling his eyes as Caldwell spoke, taking shots at him while he’s trying to be gracious?? Unreal. Talk about arrogance.
See, you can chew people out but you turn right around and ridicule someone else. Typical Mufi style.
@wailau,
I don’t understand your comment. I see nothing “abasing,” debasing or humiliating about a candidate signwaving, before or after an election.
I think Mufi’s actions since losing HAVE been
“gracious,” but maybe graciousness should be seen as properly playing an ideal SOCIAL role rather than viewed as an inherent personality trait.
When you lose a sporting competition, you are given an opportunity to demonstrate whether you can be a gracious loser. If you fail that test, you lose twice. When Ed Case lost to Akaka, he was very ungracious, refusing to honor the ritual ceremonial opportunity to display “graciousness.”
Perhaps he had a distorted view that such a ritual was humiating
Ed Case was honest in not pretending that he thought Akaka was a worthwhile senator. Dan Akaka is a wonderful man who must be a great and charming friend, but he is a superannuated, ineffective senator whose humility is ultimately devoured by an ego that won’t let him retire. Case is blunt and perhaps unpleasantly honest, but I’m not hiring him to be my friend; I’m hiring him to stand up to the powerful elites that want to make my life unpleasant. Ed Case and Patsy Mink were the only two politicians willing to stand up to the corruption flowing from the Bishop Estate. In a major character-revealing event of our political times, all the other happy, sign-waving politicians caved in.
Abercrombie put a thank you ad in Sunday’s paper. Mufi didn’t. Neil’s ad was placed before the election results were known.
Mufi’s just trying to stay viable. Nothing real about it at all. My guess is the hotel/tourism guys hire him next.
(Sorry. I hit the wrong button on my iPhone screen. Clumsy, thick fingers!)
maybe Ed could only see the Unity Breakfast as “humiliating” or hypocritical rather than an opportunity to demonstrate good sportsmanship. That snub hurt him greatly and delayed healing of bad feelings. I am sure that people close to Mufi made sure he would not fail to rise to the occasion. Or maybe he just knew enough on his own. Some of expected him to show up at Neil’s on election night. But in his defense, things shut down pretty early that night. And the next morning, he hit all the right notes.
Unfortunately Mufi couldn’t come to Maui on Sunday where his local campaign did second best statewide– apparently there was a plane ticket snafu for Gail and Dean O. But he was on the road signwaving here yesterday. Let’s see what Mufi does in two years — the Mayor’s office will be open again and who knows what other position might be available for a pretty talented and accomplished guy.
I sign waived yesterday morning and Mufi was by us – and when he was leaving he shook and hugged us all – I reminded him about what he said at the breakfast, and he said it to my face that he is going to help Abercrombie from now on. So I am going to give him the benefit of any doubt that I may harbor. The sign waiving is ‘thank you’ – all supporters deserve that from their candidate. I do wish that people would explore more the rumor that Mufi was told it was his time next, after pulling out of an earlier race…..and therefore Abercrombie impacted a ‘promise’ made by the Senior Senator to Mufi. This brings up the whole notion of word, and loyalty etc. – trumping the future of thousands of people….it’s a worthwhile discussion, and also begs the question – how could one so anointed by the power of the islands lose so completely? It really calls to question some fundamental beliefs about the power of the current power structure, and maybe the GOP will have to alter some of that message.
While I have no idea what Mufi is thinking the liberal in me will take Mufi’s gracious exit as genuine.