Posted on 10/30/2004 4:47:55 PM PDT by Dog
Kerry Spot reader William sends in this report of the situation on the ground in Hawaii:
In terms of presidential politics, [Al Gore's visit] was ALMOST a non-event. He appeared at pre-planned Filipino concert at a high school in a largely Filipino district of Oahu. The co-host was Dem. Cong. Neil Abercrombie.
The Filipino community has traditionally been a Democrat stronghold in this state, and flexed its political muscle 10 year ago by electing Ben Cayetano as the first Filipino Governor of Hawaii, and re-electing him in 1998. The coalition of Filipinos and Japanese-Americans is the bedrock of the Demo. party establishment here.
Kerry is in trouble in this state because recent polling shows the Pres. beating him by 15 points among Filipinos. Gore's appearance last night was an effort to bring some of these Filipino voters back to Kerry.
But only 1200 people were on hand — it wasn't any better than a "B" level political event. And he was largely preaching to the convereted. This was a gathering of Filipinos that are committed to Kerry.
The four local television stations all led their newscasts with it at 10:00 p.m., but the coverage was a little underwhelming. The real heart of each stations' story was that for the first time Hawaii's votes might matter — the electoral count may be close, and the outcome here is too close to call. They then covered Gore's appearance, but in the same story talked about the upcoming appearance of VP Cheney tomorrow.
But, most importantly, immediately following the Gore appearance story, each station covered the Bin Laden video.
Cheney is set to appear tomorrow at an event expected to draw 10,000 people. Rather than a local high school, he'll be in downtown Honolulu at the Convention Center. He's got a real chance to wipe the Gore appearance right off the map.
Very curiously, the two Dem. candidates for Mayor of Honolulu did NOT show up at the event last night with Gore.
Hmm. What do they know about the national race in their polling?
I've been wondering how voting in Hawaii will be affected by the time difference. Will afternoon voters in the islands know who has won the East Coast states? If Kerry loses New Hampshire, or New Jersey looks close, or Bush picks up an electoral vote in Maine, will Hawaiians feel like they know the winner?
God, Gore looks like absolute hell! He almost makes Kerry look like Cary Grant.
It is interesting that those of Filipino ancestry are trending pro-Bush. My guess is there's a pro-military and pro-Catholic connection.
Hawaii recently "flipped" and elected a Republican governor. Why wouldn't they "flip" and vote for a Republican president, when they are sitting out there all alone in the Pacific, a natural target for terrorists?
Hawaiians aren't stupid.
Just think that this beast came within about 600 votes of being President. Although, I am confident of a comfortable Bush victory, the thought that Americans almost put this mega manic in the White House does give me some concern.
Even worse they have 2 senators just like em.
"Why the change in political thinking by the Filipinos?"
I would imagine that part of the answer is because of all the Muslim terrorists in the Philippines. They may also be more for free enterprise and traditional values too.
We were stationed there for 3 years and lived on the side of the island with the heavy Filipino population. I think it might go for Bush. For one thing, while we were there, people were sick of the corrupt Democratic machine that had run the island so long. The economy was seriously depressed there thanks to Cayetano. One thing that struck me was the large evangelical population there. Also, the Filipino women I was friends with were very religious Catholics. Hawaiians are really laid back and the most warm and friendly people you could meet and I don't think Kerry will go over well with them if the economy is good there. Ohana (family) is very much valued there and those people will be Bush folks. And I haven't even mentioned the military there. Lots of military retire there as well because of Tripler Army Hospital (best hospital on earth and the best staff..saved my baby's life). I wonder if the large Japanese population will vote with Bush given that Japan has been a staunch ally in the war on terror. Keep in mind also that there is a large Mormon ministery there and I think that would have to have an influence for Bush.
Well, that's about as close to a lei as he is going to get...
Abercrombie truly is barfy. Seeing him on national TV even once (I forget on what issue) was exceedingly embarrassing.
I have no idea why people here vote for him. I think it may have something to do with name recognition.
If key Democratic politicians are staying away, they must know something through the grapevine. I guess these Democratic Politicians don’t subscribe to Zogby polling.
All of them.
The Filipinos have some experience with Islamofascist terrorism.
Missed that. Few people?
Abercrombie is a Hippy Communist from the sixties. He will probably win again but damn, I hope we can finally get rid of that pig.
Seems to me that the WOT and the economy should be right up front for the people of Hawaii. With the tax cuts they have more money to spend, and more importantly, so do most Americans who love to go to Hawaii on vacation.
My message to the "manongs" (elder brothers) in Hawaii is "saanyo yo nga votosan ni Kerry" (don't vote for Kerry). "No adda computer yo, visitaen yo man (if you have a computer please visit) "http://www.stolenhonor.com.
El Oviedo
I was stationed at Hickam AFB from 1969 through 1972 and the scuzzy commie hippie Neil Abnercrombie was a real pain in the okole with his Kerry-like demonstations and disruptions. I was really astounded when that dirt bag got elected to Congress. Would love to see him get beated in the next election.
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