August 6, 2004
WHY DO THEY CALL THEMSELVES DEMOCRATS?:
Trouble in Paradise?: Democrats Plan Ahead for Inouye, Akaka Departures (Nicole Duran, August 2, 2004, Roll Call)
Spurred by the knowledge that their two Senators will celebrate their 80th birthdays next month, Democratic legislative leaders in the Aloha State — in a circumstance that mirrors an ongoing debate in Massachusetts — are considering introducing a measure to take the power of filling a Senate vacancy away from Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.
Posted by Orrin Judd at August 6, 2004 8:50 AM
Here in MA the Dems control the legislature so they were able to override the Gov's veto of the law change. Don't know if Hawaii is as solid Dem and could do this (Harry?). And yes it is interesting how Dems repeatedly turn to changing laws/going to the courts to stay in power.
Posted by: AWW at August 6, 2004 9:16 AMBut will the Dems have the smarts to repeal these laws once the natural order has been restored and they've reinstalled one of their party's own back in the governorship? Otherwise, who knows how the laws will be abused? Just ask Gray Davis.
Posted by: Raoul Ortega at August 6, 2004 11:53 AMThe Hawaii Legislature is solidly Democratic. My quick count showed 15 Republicans (out of 51) in the State House and 5 Republicans (out of 25) in the State Senate. There's an Inouye in the House. Harry probably knows the relation, if any, to the Senator. A high percentage of Hawaii residents are employed by government, and the Legislature is no exception. To put the numbers in perspective, Hawaii is the size of Fresno County in California. Yet Hawaii has 51 House members (Cal is 80) and 25 State Senators (Cal is 40).
Posted by: Fred Jacobsen (San Fran) at August 6, 2004 12:29 PMI hadn't heard about this -- my interest in party politics is small -- but it wouldn't surprise me.
Yes, the Legislature is veto-proof; but , no, the Inouye in the Legislature is not related to the senator.
Traditionally, moribund Hawaii Democrats make one last run from their rapidly closing coffins so someone can be appointed and then run as an incumbent.
That's how we got Ed Case as our congressmen, altho' Patsy Mink timed it too closely. We elected her the last time after she was dead.
The problem with the law as it stands is that the only Republican in the state even approximately weighty enough to be appointed to Congress is Lingle.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at August 6, 2004 1:55 PMThe manipulation of the timing of the announcement of Patsy Mink's death was comically transparent. If necessary they would just do something at leat as egregious.
The only thing that would be accomplished by Lingle being able to appoint a Senator is a crushing defeat in the next election--which I believe would be historic as the first time since statehood that an incumbent Senator/Representative has lost an election.
Posted by: brian at August 6, 2004 7:05 PMIt's all about holding onto power for them, isn't it...
Posted by: jsmith at August 8, 2004 11:42 PM