Posted on: Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Hawai'i Democrats laud Kerry's pick
| • | Edwards counted on to balance ticket |
By Gordon Y.K. Pang and Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Hawai'i Democrats applauded presidential candidate John Kerry's choice of John Edwards as his running mate.
Edwards, who was endorsed locally by former Gov. John Waihee and former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, garnered 13 percent of the votes in Hawai'i Democrats' presidential preference poll in February, finishing third. Kerry won about 46 percent of the votes. Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich took second place with 30 percent.
U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawai'i, said Edwards emerged in recent weeks as "the consensus first choice among members of the party nationally."
Kerry and Edwards complement each other well, he said. "I think (Edwards) is regarded as a pretty moderate Democrat that represents a lot of moderate, middle-ground views," he said.
Spokesmen for Sen. Daniel Akaka and Rep. Neil Abercrombie, the two other members of Hawai'i's congressional delegation, said their bosses also supported Kerry's pick.
Paul Cardus, press secretary for Akaka, said his boss believes Edwards is "a youthful and dynamic leader." Abercrombie was among 23 members of Congress who urged Kerry to pick Edwards, according to Michael Slackman, a spokesman for Abercrombie.
Brennon Morioka, chairman of the Hawai'i Republican Party, said he does not think Edwards' presence on the ticket will win Kerry votes either in Hawai'i or nationally. "They're obviously going back to a much more liberal point of view," he said.
Morioka pointed out that during the campaign, Kerry himself questioned Edwards' lack of experience on military or international issues. "And now he's telling the nation this is the person he wants serving as his No. 2," Morioka said.
Brickwood Galuteria, chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i, disagreed and said Edwards is a fresh voice who contrasts well with the veteran Kerry. "He's coming from outside the party apparatus," Galuteria said.
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com. Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com. Reach either at 525-8070.
U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, called both men proven leaders. "John Edwards shares John Kerry's optimistic vision of our nation's future, and I believe they can lead us in building a stronger and vibrant economy, and in strengthening America at home and abroad," Inouye said in a prepared release.
U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye
U.S. Rep. Ed Case
