Change is buzzword for Democrats, Republicans
| • | Analysis: Defining change a challenge |
| • | Final results of the Hawai'i primary election |
By Lynda Arakawa and Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Democrats and Republicans both grabbed for the powerful but elusive issue of "change" yesterday to claim it as their own, promising to turn the next six weeks into a referendum on the best antidote for Hawai'i's governmental, educational and economic malaise.
Gubernatorial candidates Mazie Hirono and Linda Lingle told members of their parties that they took the results of Saturday's primary as a signal that people want change in Hawai'i government and each said they believe their parties are in the best position to provide it.
"We're going to work harder than we've ever worked before," Lingle told a crowd of about 150 people at a Republican unity event. "We're going to have to make sacrifices in ways we never have before. But it's for a good purpose, it's for making life better in Hawai'i."
Hirono began the day with a unity breakfast, followed by a trip aboard a chartered jet to a series of campaign appearances Democratic party leaders and candidates on the Neighbor Islands.
"The Democrats have been the ones that have brought about the real positive changes that have helped working families, minorities — all of us — and we're going to continue with that under a new generation," she said.
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At Hirono's side was state Rep. Ed Case of Manoa, who lost the primary to Hirono by only 2,600 votes and had based his campaign almost solely on the "change" issue. Case worked yesterday to seamlessly transfer his campaign theme to Hirono's.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle and running mate James "Duke" Aiona celebrated their primary election success at a party unity event yesterday.
"I've believed right from the beginning that if a Democrat can articulate change in the context of traditional Democratic values, that's a winning combination," he said.
Case's narrow defeat to Hirono wasn't lost on the Republicans, who said that it showed there was a significant bloc of Democratic voters who are searching for a different choice. Lingle said she believes the strong showing by Case will strengthen her position.
"It sends a message that the public wanted change," Lingle said. "They wanted anybody but that status quo that Mazie represents."
Democrats yesterday said they believe they are facing the most difficult election since they first won the governor's office in 1962. Party officials said they are also concerned by the 41 percent voter turnout in the primary, the second lowest in state history. Some said they believe even the party faithful are turned off by the political process and have simply walked away.
"We face a mountain of cynicism," said state Sen. Matt Matsunaga, Hirono's running mate. "But Mazie and I are up to the challenge."
Case and others yesterday said the Democrats must tap into the electorate's desire for change, without sacrificing the ideals of inclusion and social justice that brought the party to power.
For the first time in 40 years, the Republicans have a significant cash advantage going into the general election. Lingle has raised about $3 million so far, compared to about $1 million raised by Hirono.
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"We're going to be raising money to get our message out, but for me, more importantly, we're going to have a very strong grassroots campaign," Hirono said. "This is not an election that's going to be won by money."
Democratic nominees for the top state ticket — Matt Matsunaga for lieutenant governor, Mazie Hirono for governor — rejoiced at a party breakfast.
But now that the three-way primary is over, political observers are expecting an outpouring of money to Hirono. At the breakfast, Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe said Hawai'i can expect help from Mainland contributors.
"We are going to do everything in our power to make sure that you win the elections here in Hawai'i, and the days of the Democratic National Committee taking Hawai'i for granted are over," he told the group of 150 people gathered at the Dole Cannery.
The DNC can give the state party $50,000, and McAuliffe presented the second of two $25,000 installments yesterday. He also said seven staff members the DNC had sent to Hawai'i would remain through the general election.
"We have a tough battle ahead of us, let's make no mistake about it," Hawai'i Democratic Party chairwoman Lorraine Akiba said.
Republican candidates repeated the word "change" like a mantra yesterday at Lingle's campaign headquarters. Recognizing that it is also a buzzword among Democrats, they touted themselves as the only ones who could deliver it to Hawai'i voters.
Lingle's running mate, James "Duke" Aiona, stressed the importance of a unified campaign push.
"We need to come together because if we truly want change it's going to have to happen from this room and move out," Aiona said. "I will leave you on this note. I've been involved in athletics my whole life. I know what it takes to prepare for a game ... and I can tell you this: I'm ready."
Dalton Tanonaka, who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor, pledged his support of the Lingle-Aiona ticket, but warned fellow Republicans not to take anything for granted.
"I just want to say one thing: never underestimate the opposition," he said. "The talk is beginning and the battle has just begun. So no matter how good we feel today — OK, we can deserve five minutes of feeling good — but make no mistake about it, it's going to be a dogfight. And even though it seems like a one-dimension kind of ticket we're running against, it ain't going to be easy. Always keep that in mind."
Lingle agreed. "We're fighting for the future of Hawai'i. It's worth the sacrifices but it is going to be a difficult race," she said.
Still, the mood among the Republicans yesterday was optimistic.
"I've never seen our party feel so good about the future because the possibility and the probability of a victory for us I think is outstanding," said state Sen. Bob Hogue, who represents Windward O'ahu.
