[catholicfreeper]

I thought a little change in pace was needed. It seems not all things are perfect in the Dem World either. It appears that the incumbent Senator is having some problems in his Primary. Question for any Hawaii folks. If Akaka is in a weaken position but still wins the primary can this be a pick up for the Repubs. Do the Republicans have good folks running for this seat? What about Cross's seat that I guess he has to give up to run for Senate. I just remember hearing that the Republican party was slowly gaing strength there.

[skaterboy]

Oh HIS poll says he is tied....

[Clintonfatigued]

Republicans need to find a strong candidate to run. Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou would be a good choice.

[cmsgop]

I have to Take an Akaka.........

[CaptainMorgantown]

I was in Hawaii recently and the newspapers I read made me think that this very blue state may be trending slightly Republican. There seemed to be some genuine lingering resentment against the States Courts for their activist stances in recent years. Don't know if the republicans are running a strong candidate, but I hope they are.

[Siena Dreaming]

The news last night was actually cynical of this poll.

They made a point of saying that it was run by Case's campaign and that he would not release the questions asked.

Probably something like, "If Sen. Akaka up and died today would you vote for Case?" and they said "OK" and they took that as a vote for Case.

[jigsaw]

Maybe Senator Inoye should give Akaka a hand.

[rhinohunter]

I don't see anything here to get excited about. No real chance of a GOP pickup in this very blue state. Yes, I know the guv is GOP, but we've seen GOP guvs win in blue states -- federal elections are a different story.

If Akaka is showing any weakness, it's probably rats who realize that there's the possibility of the very ancient Akaka not making it through his next term, allowing Lingle to appoint a GOP replacement. Case, on the other hand, is much younger.

[gpapa]

From what I can read at Hawaii political sites no one had yet declared to be a candidate for the Senate primary. The Repubs may have a better chance in an open House seat vacated by Congressman Case who has chosen to run in the Democrat primary against Senator Akaka.

[zbigreddogz]

No, it can't be a Repub pickup.

But hell, I just hope they tap lots of D doners to fight it out in the primary.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

The reason Ed will win is that he's a DINO. My dad is a lifetime hardcore republican who has lived in Hawaii since 1959. He's told me that he will gladly vote for Case and that really blew me away. I think many republicans of Hawaii know that Case is their only chance to get a senator who will move away from the left more towards the right and put Akaka out to pasture where that useless tool belongs.

[BIGLOOK]

"All politics are local."

Ed Case is a very likable, affable person with a track record in Congress. He made no waves there. But now he's challenged the 'Machine' and has hard times ahead. If he succeeds, Hawaii will still have two Democrat Senators; Case will be under Inouye's wing.

Case's House seat will be up for grabs and the race is on. Quentin Kawanakakoa is the Republican runner. If he wins, he'll be the first R congressman since Pat Saiki.

On the local side, the State legislature (part time) has voted to spend the huge tax surplus rather than return it. And then resolved to raise taxes and fees. (Last inaccurate figure I'd heard was a surplus of $579 million.)