STATE OF THE UNION
Lingle, leaders mostly favorable to Bush speech

Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday said she backs President Bush's approach to the conflict with Iraq and the prospect of going to war.

"I think that President Bush did a good job on focusing on our desire for peace — but that if we do have to take some action, he wants it first to be taken with our allies, with going through the process," Lingle said after the president's State of the Union address. "But in the end, as he mentioned, our resolve will not be dependent upon the resolve of others."

Lingle said she expects "additional countries will come and join America" after Secretary of State Colin Powell gives a report to the United Nations next week.

Lingle, a Republican, said she liked the president's emphasis on issues such as prescription drug coverage, establishment of a national mentoring program and helping people suffering from AIDS in Africa and elsewhere.

Other Hawai'i political leaders had mostly favorable reactions to Bush's speech.

Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris said: "I think he did a wonderful job on some of the security issues and some of the national and foreign policy issues, but I was not as pleased with some of his domestic policy issues."

Harris liked the president's discussion of the new terrorist threat investigation center, as well as his ideas and initiatives for the FBI, CIA and Department of Homeland Security.

He was disappointed, however, that Bush did not put as much focus on domestic or urban issues.

House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise), said he was "very positive" about Bush's domestic policy issues, but "I really don't know where he's going to come up with all those billions of dollars."

Say also liked Bush's stance regarding Iraq, though he noted Hawai'i's economy will suffer if the country goes to war.

Senate President Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), said he wanted to hear what Bush had to say about the chances of going to war.

"The reason why I was really intent on listening to what he had to say about Iraq is because of our own economy here in Hawai'i," Bunda said. "Once military action has been called, I think our economy will be negatively impacted."

Bunda liked Bush's proposals for a $600 million increase in federal money in the next three years for drug treatment and $400 billion over 10 years to offer Medicare beneficiaries prescription drug benefits.