Posted on 09/14/2002 10:14:18 PM PDT by Mr. Morals
Hawaii Democrats Uncertain on Rep.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 1:23 p.m. ET
HONOLULU (AP) -- The hushed-up hospitalization of Rep. Patsy Mink has political leaders privately speculating on the future of her Congressional seat, although she is expected to win re-election whether she can campaign or not.
Publicly, politicians on both sides are avoiding speculation in deference to the 74-year-old Democrat's family and to local sensibilities. Mink's Aug. 30 hospitalization was kept secret for a week, until her office acknowledged she was suffering from viral pneumonia resulting from a case of chicken pox. The disease is usually mild when it occurs in children but can lead to serious infections.
Her family finally issued a statement on Thursday, saying only that it would take time for her to heal. Hospital officials have declined to release any information on her condition or prognosis.
Mink has no need to campaign for the primary this coming Saturday, in which she faces only token opposition. She also has long been considered a sure winner in the general election in this state that has been under strong Democratic control since shortly after statehood in 1959.
Mink, a member of the House for 24 years over two different stretches, won re-election two years ago by a nearly two-to-one margin.
Her leading Republican challenger this year, state Rep. Bob McDermott, and her Democratic primary challenger Steve Tataii, a frequent candidate who has never won an election, both said they were holding back any criticism of Mink and hoped she quickly recovers.
Before her illness, McDermott accused her of being ``soft on terrorism.'' Mink has opposed some Bush administration anti-terrorism initiatives over the past year but voted to approve $20 billion to fight terrorists.
Since her hospitalization, McDermott has pulled ads critical of the liberal lawmaker.
Attorney General Earl Anzai, a Democratic appointee, says it's doubtful even a worst-case scenario could lead to the Democrats losing Mink's seat as long as she does not withdraw.
Republican Chairman Micah Kane would not make any projections but said the party is giving no special consideration to her seat now.
``From what I've been told, she's not anywhere near a condition that would cause her to withdraw,'' said Democratic Party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba, noting that Mink's campaign organization is continuing its activities in her absence.
``She's a tough lady who has overcome serious physical problems in the past. She has a lot of will,'' Akiba said.
While Mink is considered a sure winner for the Democrats, the gubernatorial race could be a different matter. Three Democrats are fighting over the nomination in Saturday's primary. And Republican Linda Lingle has been running ahead of all contenders in polls that suggest Hawaii could have its first elected Republican governor in four decades.
Anzai said serious illness or even death does not prevent a candidate from winning either the primary or general election in Hawaii.
If a primary winner dies, is not replaced on the general election ballot in time and wins, the seat is considered vacant, he said. The chief elections officer would schedule a special election to fill the vacancy for the two-year term, the attorney general said.
A primary winner also could withdraw for health reasons by Oct. 16, but the party has only until Sept. 26 to name a replacement for the general election. Missing that date would leave the party without a qualified standard bearer.
Mink was first elected to Congress in 1964 after serving in the territorial and state legislatures. In 1976, she lost a bid for the U.S. Senate to fellow Rep. Spark Matsunaga, served one term on the Honolulu City Council and returned to Congress in 1990 where she has been re-elected six times.
Hawaii's other incumbent House member, Democrat Neil Abercrombie, has no primary opposition and isn't expected to face any credible opposition in the general election as he seeks a seventh term.
Maybe i'm just too skeptical because of the secrecy and downplaying of this situation? All feedback is welcome.
See also:
(U.S. Rep. Patsy) Mink still 'very sick' but few details given
...and...
(Hawai`i U.S. Rep. Patsy)Mink remains in intensive care unit
The RATS always protect their own.
Did they actually wait before they announced his death or did they just hush-hush his illness?
Thanks for the clarification.
Do you says dead as in "dead (wo)man walking" or dead as in "Weekend at Bernies"?
If she *is* dead (God forbid), why would they embargo the news from her constituents?
I think you called it right.
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