In Hawaii, Election Frenzy Lingers

The Washington Post ^ | November 22, 2002 | Rita Beamish

[Paladin2b]

Democrats Scramble for Control of Mink's Open House Seat

HONOLULU, Nov. 21 -- Eager to retain a contested congressional seat following the historic GOP gubernatorial victory in Hawaii, state Democrats are fielding a winnowed list of prominent hopefuls to succeed the late Rep. Patsy T. Mink.

A handful of experienced Republican politicians, however, hopes to beat the odds in the winner-take-all race.

[Paladin2b]

More Democrat shenanigans. The rumor I heard here in the Washington DC area earlier in the fall was that Patsy Mink actually died some three weeks before she was proclaimed so. Life support kept her breathing after her brain had ceased functioning. The point was to keep her name on the ballot (HI law would have mandated a substitution if she had been legally dead only a few days before it was announced) so as to set up this circus of a special election that the Rats could have more time to fix up.

Lingle's win two weeks ago should wake up all Freepers that GOP hopes in the Aloha State are not pipe dreams. To arms!

[caisson71]

Most Hawaii voters agree with the rumor. Dirty tricks from the Democraps are expected in Hawaii. The political antics appear to have been directed from Washington due to the "unknown" family spokespersons taking the lead in TV and news releases. Now, the voters in Hawaii will have to pay for two elections - $4+ million - the first of which will put someone in office while Congress is not in session. Of course, "Little Ben" (Governor) says that they tried to have the courts change that - and violate yet another law. He expected the Hawaii Supreme Court to rule in his favor - he was instrumental in getting most of them in office - and was disappointed when they did not.