McDermott sees Congress in his future

By Bob Dye
Kailua-based historian and writer

He wants Patsy Mink's job.

Republican State Rep. Bob McDermott is considering a run for the U.S. House seat of Patsy Mink, D-Hawai'i. But state GOP leader Linda Lingle is backing Kaua'i Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, he says. McDermott describes himself as conservative, pro-life and anti-same-sex marriage. Advertiser library photo • Mar. 14, 1999

Conservative, pro-life, anti-same-sex marriage, the amiable 38-year-old Irish Catholic father of three sons concludes that he doesn't fit Lingle's image of a GOP candidate for high office: "She doesn't want a fat white guy on the ticket."

Built like a linebacker, McDermott isn't all that fat. He easily packs 250 pounds on an over-6-foot frame. As he thickly butters bread and shakes salt all over it to enhance the dairy spread's flavor, he explains that his diet allows him to eat almost everything.

"Linda's actively encouraging Maryanne Kusaka to run for congress," he says plaintively.

That she is. And Kusaka, the popular mayor of Kaua'i, is very seriously considering the race.

But Lingle says she's also high on McDermott. "I like him a lot. He's an outstanding state legislator, hard-working and committed. His focus on education has been noteworthy."

She explains her caution toward his candidacy: "As party chair, I have a responsibility to give prospective candidates an objective analysis of their chances. And I try to do it with compassion. I know what it's like to be unknown."

When she first decided to run for office, Lingle was told by an old political pro, "No can win." She was devastated. Even later, after two terms as a high-profile mayor of Maui County, she was stunned to find her statewide name recognition at only 40 percent.

"If Bob thinks he can win in the primary, I say, Go for it," Lingle said. But she admits, as the person charged with increasing the GOP presence in the Legislature, that she'd like him to stay in the state House: "If Bob leaves to run for Congress," she groans, "there's one more seat to win."

To add interest to the next congressional election, there is a strong possibility that incumbent Patsy Mink will be challenged in the Democratic primary by state sen. Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Kalaeloa, Makaha). "I'm certainly considering that race," Hanabusa says.

If she goes, Hanabusa says, she'll be a tough contender: Youth vs. Age. "I admire Mrs. Mink. She was a pioneer on issues that I believe in."

McDermott finishes off the basket of bread and a side order of salad, pushing an empty plate away. I ask him, Why did you decide to be a politician?

"I grew up Irish. You either become a priest, a policeman or a politician. I always liked politics. From little-kid time, I wanted to be a congressman." His eyes say that he believes he will live his dream. "I've got a fire in my belly."

A Young Republican, he served on a neighborhood board before running for the state house. His district, the 32nd (üliamanu, Foster Village, 'Aiea), is surrounded by solidly Democratic precincts. So, in this fall's reapportionment, he faces the prospect of a more politically hostile constituency. And that's a good enough reason for a minority-party candidate to expand the size of the voting pool. The danger, as Lingle points out, is that he isn't well known enough outside his district. The jump from state representative to Congress is a big one.

Some time ago, when he was first thinking of running, he asked Republican Frank Fasi for advice on such a race. The former long-serving mayor told him name recognition can be readily gained. "He has a good educational and military background, and is a thoughtful man," Fasi says. "He'd make a good candidate."

"I'm ready for the challenge," McDermott says confidently. Last Tuesday, he hit the fund-raising trail, talking to Bishop Street businessmen "who haven't been happy with Mrs. Mink." He knows it takes a significant amount of money to run a successful race in the far-flung 2nd congressional district.

Self-described as a "man's man," he's a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, serving in that hot spot as a Marine first lieutenant. He was discharged as a captain. He has an undergraduate degree in economics and an MBA from Chaminade University.

Teaching speech at military bases, for Chaminade and Hawai'i Pacific universities is his "other job."

Bob McDermott quaffs the last of the black wee drops in the pint glass. By the look of appreciation on his sweetly innocent face, I know that I've introduced him to his first pint of a properly pulled Guinness. Will his wife ever forgive me?

And why not? A sign in Murphy's pub proclaims: "Guinness is good for you."