watch out everyone Hawaii's going to be close

[thatsrightimirish]

August 11 Rasmussen

Akaka: 47%
Case: 45%

Case does better in the general also. But both would win by a landslide.

[napi21]

1. Is Case that good or do people have something against Akaka?

I don't know anything about Casey, and I think I've only heard Akaka speak maybe 2-3 times in the Sen. The only reason I even know his name is because they always call it very early in the roll call!

[liberalpragmatist]

10. He has a very liberal voting record but he's quite old

I'm not from Hawaii but I've read a little bit on this race and here's how I understand the race:

Both Akaka and Inouye are in their '80s and there's a strong feeling in Hawaii among some that Akaka has been a do-nothing senator for the past how many terms; there are stories of him repeatedly falling asleep at committee meetings (unlike Inouye, who has been quite effective).

There's also apparently elements of a party revolt in this - both Inouye and Akaka are part of a sclerotic Democratic party machine in Hawaii and there's a sense that Democrats want to get some new faces in there.

All of which I think is understandable. Unfortunately, Case really isn't a great Democrat. Oh, overall his record is pretty mainstream, but he's very centrist, almost Lieberman-esque. So it's a pretty imperfect choice Hawaii Dems seem to have got. Akaka will probably win.

[Solo_in_MD]

13. Hawaiian politics are very personality driven

Very long term Dem state currently with a republican governor, who looks to be a shoo in for reelection. Historically Hawaii Washington reps were lifetime jobs, Fong, Inouye, Matsunaga and Mink, with Fong being a Republican. Despite its heavy democratic majority its also not all that progressive.

[Dragon Turtle]

11. We have open primaries

The repubs would prefer Case.

[Greeby]

2. Primary day is Saturday 23rd September

http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G06/HI.phtml

There are 10 candidates running for Case's House seat

[babylonsister]

3. 10? That could split up the votes! nt

[Ninja Jordan]

4. Isn't Akaka clueless on some issues?

Is he the one supporting LIEberman?

[thatsrightimirish]

6. he's supporting lamont

salazar, carper, and pryor are the only democrats so far supporting lieberman

[LA lady]

9. Inouye?

I read he was too

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060805/NEWS05/608050352/1009/NEWS
Inouye says he'll stand by Lieberman if he loses

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said he will stand with U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman even if Lieberman loses in the Democratic primary for Senate in Connecticut and runs in the general election as an independent.

[Dragon Turtle]

12. Thread about Case

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=147x1424

[DemFromMem]

5. Just got back from a week in Honolulu

Akaka signs were everywhere. The man's got quite an organization and he's a long standing incumbent. Didn't quite pick up on why this race is as close as it is. Any Hawaiians out there care to enlighten us?

By the way, I went to the Iolani Palace and learned about the history of how Hawaii became a state. Boy was that an education - chilling, in fact. The island was a legitimate constitutional monarchy that was recognized by the whole world before some of the American agricultural barons arranged for a coup that was backed up by the US Navy. The queen was imprisoned and then a short time later Hawaii was annexed. President Cleveland offered false assurances to the queen that the US was not supporting her ouster, but I think that's really known now to be exactly the opposite of the truth. It took nearly 100 years for President Clinton to formally apologize. Well worth a visit if you are in Hawaii.

[snowbear]

7. *** This story says the polls have conflicting information ***

..."Ed Case is 2 points behind in one and 21 back in the other"



http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/15/news/story02.html

Also says in another article that no matter what.. Democrats will win. RETHUGS have no good candidates (per Star Bulletin)

[IChing]

8. Dennis Kucinich campaigned for Akaka

So I will have to go with Akaka. Dennis is popular in the state and did well in the presidential primaries there.
Ed Case is a little too conservative for my taste, but he would do.


February 24, 2004:
Hawaii - Presidential Caucuses
Results: John Kerry, 50%; Dennis Kucinich, 26%; John Edwards, 14%; Howard Dean, 9%