Mr. Clinton, in support of the so-called war and Mr. Lieberman tried to make the point that the campaign should not be about the war, but “Democratic core values” instead. Below is my take on it.
The Akaka campaign has come out with a series of strong television advertisements for the incumbent that emphasize the fact that Mr. Akaka was one of the 23 United States Senators that stood up for their country and courageously voted against the “war” resolution. In my opinion, this one act, this acknowledgement of core human values, DEMOCRATIC VALUES, this one vote, redeems any small errors he might have made along the way.
In October of 2005, frustrated and angry at the Republican strike at Iraq and the ensuing mess, I wrote a nasty letter to Dan Inouye, the Senior Senator from Hawaii. I sent copies of this missive against the Iraq incursion and asking for the impeachment of Mr. Bush to each member of my congressional delegation and to Hawaii Democratic party headquarters. I singled out the Democratic party as being part of the problem, not part of the solution. It was an unhappy and accusatory missive, exacerbated by the memory of the silence of the Democratic party in Hawaii to speak out clearly and strongly in one voice against the war. In fact, at the time of the vote and signing they flooded my mail box with a plethora of mail that declared their accomplishments in other areas. Smoke and mirrors.
Senator Daniel Inouye arrogantly didn’t bother to even reply or acknowledge my arrogant and nasty letter. Representative Neil Abercrombie wrote the most thoughtful and personalized note emphasizing his stance against the war. Senator Dan Akaka wrote a note saying he would think about it and write later. But, I must admit, Ed Case did take the time to write and address each of the concerns I raised. The problem is not his followup or organizational skills, it is just that I disagree with almost all of Ed Case’s conclusions and thinking. The following is what he had to say about the war in October of 2005.
The current situation in that war-torn country is obviously a most difficult and fluid one. Amidst the ongoing violence and tragic loss of life by not only our own citizens but also the citizens of Iraq and other countries, there is slow progress, most particularly relative stability and Iraqi control in 14 of the country’s 18 provinces and slow but steady progress toward an Iraqi government.
No American, myself included, wants our troops to remain in harm’s way a minute longer than necessary. The difficult question, of course, is when is that point?
I share continuing concerns over the circumstances under which we intervened in Iraq. But we must deal now with the reality of having committed ourselves and being fully engaged, and the equally realistic determination of what our goals are and what is our best course from where we actually are.
In my view, our goals are and should be fourfold: to (1) assist in restoring a basic level security and stability to Iraq; (2) assist in the formation by the Iraqi people of a government of, by and for the Iraqi people; (3) assist in basic reconstruction and in formation of a Iraqi police and military capable of maintaining security and stability; and (4) withdraw. I fear and believe that, if we do not accomplish these basic goals before we withdraw, we will face a situation in Iraq and beyond its borders, including realistic threats to our homeland, that will be worse than had we never intervened in the first place.
At the time, Ed Case’s response was almost word for word, the lame apologist Republican line for the ongoing war. Now, with this new series of ads, Mr. Akaka has come out clearly and loudly questioning the war and it’s aftermath. I think, this is a core issue that will influence many voters. If Case cannot condemn the war loudly too and admit he was wrong, he doesn’t have a chance with an electorate that sees clearly the lies and adventurism that got us in Iraq.
Yet, the Akaka campaign says they are trying to press Case to come out and describe his position on issues like the War in Iraq, the Patriot Act, and Bush tax policies.
It has been suggested that Mr. Case is purposefully avoiding any discussion of his positions so that he can continue to be all things to all people.
It has also been suggested by many that The Democratic U.S. Senate race between Sen. Daniel Akaka and Rep. Ed Case could turn into a debate about core values of the Democratic constituency. See his television ad here.Watch Senator Akaka on IraqThis dedication to Democratic core values is precisely what is happening with this new series of TV ads which show Akaka speaking to a crowd of folks at a rally, Mr Akaka questions the war and it’s aftermath around the world.
When Hawaii Representative (related to AOL/Time Warner Steve Case) decided to run against Senator Dan Akaka and with this decision to swim against current of opinion held by most long time Democrats, he seemed impatient to get on with his next career move, and in declaring his candidacy he is cutting in line, ahead of Representative Neil Abercrombie and in essence telling Akaka he is “too old” and to “get out of the way.” In Hawaii’s tradition-bound Democratic base this kind of line cutting is a no-no and will make it that much more difficult for Ed Case to succeed.
Representative Case is really not very much of a Democrat anyway, voting for the war, continuing to support it even as late as 2005. And he is in many ways like Joe Lieberman, an undacover “Republican Lite” in my humble opinion. He certainly doesn’t have the contacts of the old man Akaka and good will in the Senate.
See below for some newspaper articles and gossip and other background information about this race:
Psst…Political gossip. Now, didn’t I tell you that the Democratic party in Hawaii took traditional sevice values like seniority seriously? Ive been informed by an inside source that must remain nameless, that the “real story” is that when the Democratic party in Hawaii asked Ed Case to run for governor, considering he was the only one with enough haole “Republican lite” type tinky dust to actually give Linda Lingle a run for her money. If the Republicans don’t have to spend big to defend Lingle, than money could go elsewhere to support other challenges to Hawaii’s overwhelming Democratic majority. The same newly-arrived-in-Hawaii voters that Lingle appeals to would also consider(like) Case. I’m told he said that he would run, if, when he had done 2 terms as Guv, he would get the party’s backing to run for the Senate.
My source said that the DEMS said NO! That’s senate seat belongs next to Neil Abercrombie whap your jaw. Ed said well, “Well, in that case, I’m going to run for the Senate now!”
Some Older LINKs
Star Bulletin
Newer LINKS
Poll shows Akaka has edge in Senate race
Case-Akaka race could hinge on independents