Mink said to be on road to recovery
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, who has been hospitalized for pneumonia, is "on the way to recovery" and capable of running for reelection, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said yesterday.
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"She is not in mortal danger," he said. "She is quite the opposite. She is doing exactly what the doctors tell her to do, which among other things include that she rest completely. And as soon as it's physically possible for her, she will be back out in the campaign ... full blast for renomination and for election, and intends to serve and complete her term in the 108th Congress."
U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink has been hospitalized in the Straub Hospital & Clinic intensive care unit since Sept. 1.
Mink, a Democrat, is seeking reelection in the 2nd congressional district, representing the Neighbor Islands and rural O'ahu. She faces Steve Tataii in the primary. State Rep. Bob McDermott and James Donovan of the Big Island are running in the Republican primary.
Mink, 74, has viral pneumonia brought on by a case of chicken pox and has been hospitalized in the Straub Hospital & Clinic intensive care unit since Sept. 1.
The seriousness of the illness, combined with Mink's age and her family's request that the hospital withhold information on her condition, has raised questions about whether she is capable of campaigning and serving if re-elected.
Abercrombie, also a Democrat, said that his information about Mink's health comes from her family. He said he is not speaking for Mink but wanted to counter speculation that she was too ill to serve.
"She's recovering but it's going to take a while," Abercrombie said. "How long it takes I don't know, but ordinarily it takes weeks and sometimes a couple of months or so to recover to the point where you can go out and do what you need to do.
"People are entitled to know whether she will be able to serve. And my best answer is yes."
