Hawai'i Democrats split on backing Kerry

By Frank Oliveri
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Hawai'i Democratic lawmakers are split over whether it's time for their party to rally around Sen. John Kerry's bid for president.

Sen. Dan Inouye and Rep. Ed Case say Democrats should unify behind the front-runner. Inouye said he will take time out from his own campaign for an eighth term in the Senate to appear with Kerry on the presidential campaign trail.

"I ... will campaign with John," Inouye said. "He is a good man."

Sen. Daniel Akaka said he doesn't want to appear to be endorsing any one candidate and Rep. Neil Abercrombie continues to back Howard Dean.

There has been growing pressure within the party to back Kerry of Massachusetts. Democrats are antsy about the more than $130 million President Bush had raised as of Dec. 31.

"I think the time has come and it would be helpful to our party's nominee because in the other party, they have in excess of $140 million," Inouye said. "And I don't think even under the best circumstances we can match that because traditionally our support does not come from the big bucks."

Case lamented that a substantive primary election debate would not go on longer, but conceded it is time to unify behind Kerry.

"I would prefer a further debate within the Democratic candidates," he said. "Having said that ... Kerry has won in enough different states in enough circumstances. He has earned broad-based support with the party and the independent middle of our country."

Abercrombie, who donated $1,000 to Dean's campaign, said through spokesman Michael Slackman that he still supports the former Vermont governor. Dean has said he will continue to campaign despite his poor showing so far.