Sen. Daniel Inouye's speech

Here is the speech prepared for delivery at the Hawai'i Democratic Party convention in Waikiki by Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai'i. Inouye deviated from the speech; his delivered comments are reported in today's story on the convention.

I arrived in Hawai'i on Thursday from the Far East. I was greeted with a cloud of gloom and impending doom. My staff was not cheerful and smiling. There was a somber mood and a sadness in the air.

Sen. Dan Inouye tells the state Democratic convention the party has gone through difficult times before but often emerged victorious. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Imagine a convention where one-half of the delegates literally stood up, cursed the other half, and then stormed out to have their own convention. Needless to say, our division resulted in our defeat.

Imagine a convention where our nominee for delegate to Congress was a long shot at best. And we knew it. We were strapped for cash and lacked the political experience. Yet, we put on a campaign to end all campaigns. It was first class, and we were united behind our candidate, Jack Burns. We never gave up. In the end, we may have lost that first battle, but the political war was not over. There is no question in my mind that the friendships formed and our common mission provided the foundation for Jack's eventual victory.

We have had conventions with hotly contested primary battles, each camp passionate about the virtues of their candidate. When Democrats are able to come together behind the primary winner, we are victorious. When we divide ourselves, we lose. That, my fellow Democrats, was the only way the former Republican Party chair became the mayor of Maui. We gave it to her because we could not heal ourselves in 1990. We are not going to do that again.

What Jeremy Harris did two days ago was the most difficult political decision of his career. He sent shock waves throughout this state. There are those who feel angry and let down. While there are many who do not agree and find it very hard to accept, Jeremy was honest with himself, his supporters and his party that he no longer had the passion or fire for the battle. He said that he is proud to be a Democrat and to stand on the values of this party, and that he was stepping aside to make room for other Democratic contenders.

Unlike the Republican Party, where if you are not "The One" you are "No One," we Democrats have gubernatorial candidates who will provide the voters with a choice. And there may be additional hopefuls who may now enter the race. That is the Democratic way. We have depth on our bench and a big tent to welcome all comers. Whoever is victorious on primary night is my choice — is our choice, because the people will have spoken. Mr. Mayor, I know you, together with all of your supporters, and everyone in this room will be giving 110 percent for our party's choice come September 21st.

So let's be of good cheer. The battle is not over. Not by a long shot. In fact, we have only just begun. We have the troops, the experience and from what I have seen of late, the emotion, to continue to do the job for the people of Hawai'i. Let us revive the spirit of our people, because when we are challenged, we get strong. My fellow Democrats, we have definitely been challenged.

Make no mistake. We are in for the fight of our political lives. Let's be honest with ourselves. We have made mistakes. We each have our faults and shortcomings. Let's face it. There have been a few Democrats who have fallen with the weight of self-interest or stupidity, who have tarnished the "D" and clouded our image. We have given Republicans ample ammunition to shoot at us. We are just lucky that their aim has been lousy. Unfortunately, they are getting better.

In some ways — even more tragic — is our own back-biting and internal skirmishes. And you all know what I mean. It has got to stop. I hear of it in our party ranks when our new members are put off and put out. I read news accounts of elected Democrats sniping at each other.

John White, left, chairman of Young Democrats, is introduced to the audience by Sen. Dan Inouye at the state Democratic convention. Inouye told Democrats they must come together for the fall elections. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

More than ever, people are reluctant to go back to the good ol' days, or as our critics refer to them, the bad ol' days. But one thing was always clear — we worked together. We worked hard and we worked together. It was the "machine." Since the myth of the machine seems to be larger than life, let us commit ourselves to making it so.

We can succeed if we stop drawing blood from one another and start drawing lines against our real opponents, the Republicans. We cannot each go on our merry way, worrying only about ourselves. There is no room for "me's" and "I's" i only "us," 'ohana and unity. Anything less will result in a resounding defeat.

Unfortunately, though unintended, when one stays in power for a long period of time, complacency and arrogance may creep in to create a distorted sense of invincibility. As the dominant party for more than half a century, we must go out of our way to demonstrate that we are servants of the people — guardians of the public trust. We were not ordained, and it is not our birthright. We are in office because the people selected us and placed their trust in us. We must do honor to the titles that precede our names.

We have accomplished great things and are capable of much more. We have a proven track record of putting people first.

The Republican Party will try to paint all of us with the same smear brush, and hope the people will conclude that we are all unworthy. I say give the people of Hawai'i more credit. These types of scare tactics have no place in Hawai'i — and should be taken back to the Republican National Committee, from where they came.

They want to control the future destiny of Hawai'i and are willing to say anything and do anything to get there — I say "No Way!" Republicans have thrown money at some of our new Democratic candidates in a cheap effort to entice them over — E Komo Mai, as their slogan goes. Our candidates have said "No Way!"

This demonstrates the basic difference between us and them. Running for office is not about money. Sure it helps, but at the core, it's about heart, sweat and commitment, and that, my fellow Democrats, is never for sale.

Republicans howl for change, but after E Komo Mai, what's behind that iron curtain? And is that the type of change we really want for Hawai'i? I say "No Way!"

About a month ago, Republicans at their state convention stripped their anti-abortion stance from their platform. They did so not because they had seen the light, but rather to hide from the light, the far right. Now, if they are willing to do that with something so fundamental as the freedom of choice, what's next from behind that curtain? The Republicans say one thing, but do another. We say "No Way."

The Republican platform says they support Native Hawaiians. Yet it was their solicitor general who argued before the U.S. Supreme Court against the rights of Hawaiians. It was their Republican representatives and senators who have blocked consideration of any type of Hawaiian self-determination legislation in the Congress. No new entitlements for another minority group, they say. Republicans say one thing, but do another. We say "No Way."

Enron is yet another example. Was our nation's energy policy being dictated by Enron and the big oil companies? Why, then, is the Bush administration stonewalling at every turn if they have nothing to hide? By the way, we are not talking minor campaign infractions, we are talking millions of dollars to line Republican pockets. So before the Republican Party gets so high and mighty, I suggest that they look in their own back yards. They say one thing, but do another. We say "No Way."

Most of us have either read or heard of the recent Forbes article. It is tempting to disregard it as Republican propaganda (which it is), coming from a conservative Republican rag (which it is). We all acknowledge that Hawai'i has not been as hospitable as we could be to business, and there are clearly areas to be improved upon. However, we are also not willing to deal out our environment or our workers in the process. We draw the line, and we don't put profits before people.

Forbes magazine claims that providing health insurance to employees that work 20 hours or more is tantamount to a crime. I am all for reviewing, in its entirety, the 1974 Prepaid Health Care Act to bring it up to date, but I do not believe that workers, especially those in the lowest economic strata, should shoulder the entire burden. It is a balance, but we Democrats draw the line and don't put profits before people.

Forbes cites with horror that 24 percent of Hawai'i's working people are represented by unions. I say good for them. The union movement began decades ago in the agricultural fields, when working people needed a voice. Labor has been with us because they, too, fight for working people. We fought together to ensure that a larger part of our community is able to enjoy a good life — to own a home, send their children to college and save a small nest egg for their golden years. It is a balance. I am very proud to call labor my friends, our friends.

Much more than these polarizing comments, I am saddened because the information for the story came from our very own Hawai'i Republicans. It is a warped notion that the ends justify the means. Embarrass Hawai'i nationally, feel good about it — and then hope that you gain a political match point as a result. There is an ugliness to such a strategy that is definitely not Hawai'i. Their E Komo Mai is all shibai.

It is easy to criticize from the outside. It is clearly another to lead. It is convenient to simply tell people what they want to hear without any countervailing responsibility.

Democrats are leaders, and we have led. Over the years, we have forged new ground. We have fought hard for what we believe in. We have stood up for the working man, the single mother, the kupuna and the keiki. We have supported community enpowerment, the rights of Native Hawaiians and the preservation of our environment. It hasn't always been easy as we have struggled with tough — often heart-wrenching — issues. But through it all, we have put people first.

We have much to be proud of. Hawai'i's airports are among the safest in the nation, with the greatest number of detection equipment. We have consistently ranked as having some of the highest air quality and cleanest drinking water nationwide. Honolulu ranked first in our nation for use of digital technology to serve the public, as well as operating our nation's best bus system.

Hawai'i ranks sixth in overall federal spending per capita, and second in defense spending. For every dollar we pay in federal taxes, we get back $1.50 in federal spending. This year marks my 40th anniversary in the U.S. Senate. I thank you for this privilege, and renew my commitment to you and the people of Hawai'i.

Nineteen fifty-four was a great political revolution. We were young and passionate. We enacted laws that gave dignity to working people, and a promise for a brighter future for their children. Today, it is ancient history for many. Yet the values have remained constant, and continue to guide us. I am the first to say that we cannot forever live in the shadow of 1954. We must be judged on our accomplishments of today and our plans for the future.

One of the most gratifying parts of leading the 2002 Coordinated Campaign has been meeting the new class of Democratic candidates that will be seeking elected office this year. Some are experienced; others have previously held elective office. Yet, many are young, first-time candidates, wanting to make a contribution to their communities. I see in them the passion and fire of '54.

They will help to build our next generation of leaders. They come from Waianae, Waimanalo, Waikoloa, to Kaneohe, Kula and Kaimuki, and more.

All new candidates for elected office, please stand. I thank you for your willingness to step forward and make a difference. My fellow Democrats, this is truly how we keep the passion and hope alive.

It gives me great pleasure to call to the stage Mr. John White, Chair of the Young Democrats. Raised in Arkansas of part-Hawaiian ancestry, John visited his family in Hawaii regularly, and ultimately made the decision to move "home" several years ago. John is not his papa's Democrat. He and his colleagues are making their own path, their own way. My fellow Democrats, our next generation.