Posted on 10/22/2004 11:30:14 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Often dismissed as too small, too isolated and too Democratic to worry about in presidential contests, Hawaii suddenly has a close race.
Democrats say Sen. John Kerry still has an edge over President Bush in the contest for Hawaii's four electoral votes, but the race has become awfully tight for their comfort. With late poll closings — 11 p.m. EST on Nov. 2 — and a slow count, Hawaii politicians are talking about offering a dramatic conclusion to what could be an ultra-close national election.
[...]
The only statewide media poll, more than two months ago, showed Kerry leading Bush, 48-41. Private polling reviewed by strategists for both Kerry and Bush more recently suggests the race is still that close.
[...]
Republicans say Bush has been helped by cable television ads running in the islands, where cable viewership is high. Bush and his party have outspent Kerry $17 million to $5 million on national cable TV ads that include Hawaii.
Also, with the tourism industry recovering from the Sept. 11 attacks, Hawaii's unemployment rate is 3.1 percent, lowest in the nation. And Republicans say they're doing better than expected among the state's large number of veterans.
[...]
Said Republican Party Chairman Brennon Morioka: "Every indication that we have is that it's almost a dead heat right now."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Interesting. I've always considered Hawaii in the "blue" column.
Send Laura!
There was an article a few days ago that said the GOP candidate jas a chance in one of the House races..
Bush's inevitable victory is like a massive lake of water that is springing leaks in the dam that shelters a Democratic victory. The more Kerry plugs these holes, the more other holes emerge. BTW, what is a ping?
Kerry better get over there for a few days!
I'm all for sending the President and first lady on a short vacation to Hawaii.
Not only that, but Hawaii just elected a Republican governor, I think for the first time in decades...she is a "moderate"...but she is more conservative than the previous 'rat governors.
How sweet it would be to take away Hawaii from the smart aleck from Taxachusetts.
Rush is talking right now about this. Says the Dems are panicking over this.
Gov. Lingle has also been campaigning stateside for Bush of late.
That would do it! Hawaii wouldn't be the only state that it would influence!
I'd personally like to be neglected in Hawaaii right about now!
Democratics are panicked. The GOP could pick up a House seat there....
Democrats have taken Hawaii for granted way too long. Hawaii is highly vulnerable to a terrorist attack, and they are puitting this into their political calculations.
I kept wondering if/when - with all its military and a relatively new GOP governor - Hawaii would appear as a potential Dubya steal.
If its close on the EC count on election night, the nation may have to be glued to their TV's waiting for Hawaii's vote to come in. Exciting.
If Bush went to Hawaii, he'd win it.
The fact that a Presidential candidate paid attention to it, would boost give him a monster boost.
First Presidential candidate since..... whenever.. Bush would win the state!
Isn't there a GOP Governor there?
I've got news for people, if Hawaii's close, there's no way that the nation is close.
Perhaps the powers that be didn't want the public to think the colors were chosen based on communist-red lines being closer the the Dems, so they reversed it thinking that would ellimate the isue?
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