Visits planned to boost party support
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
Karen Hughes, former top aide to President George W. Bush, is helping Hawai'i Republicans in the closing days of the election, State GOP Chairman Micah Kane said yesterday.
Associated Press library photo • April 23, 2002
Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton has delayed his Hawai'i visit to attend the funeral of Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., who was killed in a plane crash in Minnesota on Friday.
Karen Hughes will make public appearances today to support Hawai'i's Republicans.
Steve Hirano, a spokesman for the Clinton visit, said Clinton will arrive in Honolulu Wednesday, instead of tomorrow as originally planned. Clinton was scheduled to appear with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mazie Hirono and running mate Matt Matsunaga at a union rally at the Neal Blaisdell Arena tomorrow afternoon at an event organized by the Hawai'i Government Employees Association. That event will now be held on Wednesday, but details had not been worked out.
Clinton also is scheduled to appear with Hirono and Matsunaga at union rallies on Wednesday at the Kauai Veteran's Center, the Maui War Memorial Gymnasium and Afook-Chinen Civic Center in Hilo. Details were to be announced today.
Hughes, who was to arrive in Hawai'i last night, will make two public appearances today, at a $25 professional women's breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki, and at a $500 per ticket evening reception and fund-raiser, also at the Sheraton Waikiki, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Advertiser library photo • May 17, 2002
"Her presence and strategic advice will be a tremendous help to us," Kane said. He said Hughes is making a swing through the United States to assist Republican candidates.
Bill Clinton is coming here to support Hawai'i's Democrats, but has delayed his visit and will arrive Wednesday.
Hughes oversaw the offices of the press secretary and communication, and policy and legislative matters for President Bush.
In April, the White House counselor said she made a "difficult decision" to leave the administration to return to Texas and spend more time with her family.
But Hughes said at the time she still would be only a phone call away to advise Bush or help with his speeches. Considered one of the most influential persons in Bush's political career, Hughes is a former TV reporter and once served as executive director of the Texas Republican Party.
Persons interested in attending the breakfast function, where Hawai'i Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle will also be in attendance, may buy tickets at the door.
Anyone interested in attending the evening reception may call the Hawai'i Republican Party at 593-8180, Kane said.
