I have a lot of respect for Hawaii’s long time US Senator, Daniel Inouye. He’s a veteran of WWII who served in the Famous “Go for Broke” 442nd Regiment, the primarily Japanese-American unit which was the most highly decorated regiment in the US Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for the action which led to the loss of his arm. His has served his country and his state in the Senate since 1962.
That said, what he has pledged to do if Joe Lieberman loses the Connecticut Democratic primary on Tuesday is reprehensible:
U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said he will stand with U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman even if Lieberman loses in the Democratic primary for Senate in Connecticut and runs in the general election as an independent. […]
Inouye, who also opposed the war, has endorsed and appeared in television commercials for Akaka. Senators from the same party often help each other politically, so Inouye’s backing of Akaka and Lieberman is not unexpected. But Inouye’s explanation for sticking with Lieberman goes beyond friendship or courtesy.
“I am very concerned about a trend in my party,” Inouye said in a statement. “It mirrors what has happened with the Republican Party, where one issue —such as abortion — is paramount in defining ‘a good party member.’
“As a Democrat, I have voted with and against Joe Lieberman on a number of issues, and that is true also with other Democrats in the Senate. I voted against giving the president the authorization to go to war against Iraq; Senator Lieberman did.
“We are not a rubber stamp.”
Dear Senator Inouye, this isn’t about any litmus test for Democrats. This is about respecting the wishes of Connecticut Democrats. If they choose Ned Lamont to represent the Democratic Party, than other Democrats should accept that decision. That’s why we have elections. That’s why we claim to be a democracy. We abide by the wishes of the people, not the Beltway “in crowd” of lobbyists, consultants, media pundits and other insiders.
The people. Of the United States. Of America. You know, freedom and liberty? The right to choose who represents us in Congress? It’s really that simple.
(cont.)
As for Inouye’s claims that Lieberman shouldn’t have to undergo an “up or down” vote on his position on the iraq War, give me a break. Lieberman has disappointed Connecticut Democrats for years, by abandoning his party at every opportunity to support Republican positions on Social Security, bankruptcy reform, and legislation favorable to the Insurance industry and other corporate lobbyists at the expense of ordinary citizens. He also joined the GOP’s condemnation of President Clinton, a sitting Democratic President for private conduct that was not illegal, and not a danger to the rights and liberties of all Americans (unlike the actions of the current President).
Add in Lieberman’s cozy relationships with conservatives in Congress, the Bush administration and in the media where he regularly disparages the positions of his own party, and it’s not hard to see why Connecticut Democrats might be inclined to throw the bum out. After all, the US Senate was never intended to be a lifetime sinecure, where once you win, you stay in til you die or retire. It’s an elective office.
Senator Inouye, I urge you to respect the decision of the Democratic voters in Connecticut on Tuesday and agree to pledge your support to whomever is declared the winner: Lieberman or Lamont. And dear readers, especially those from Hawaii and Connecticut, I urge you to call either Senator Inouye’s office in Washington, DC, or in Hawaii to let him and his staffers know that we don’t appreciate Democrats who refuse to support their own party’s candidates.
It’s the least we can do.
Contact information for Senator Inouye:
Washington D.C.
722 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1102
202-224-3934 Fax: 202-224-6747
Honolulu
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
Room 7-212
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-4975
808-541-2542 Fax: 808-541-2549
Kona
Wayne Tanaka, Field Representative
P.O. Box 4l
Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750
808-935-0844 Fax: 808-961-5163
Kauai
Ronald Sakoda, Field Representative
1840A Leleiona Street
P.O. Box 311
Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii 96766
808-245-4611 Fax: 808-246-9515
West Oahu
Edmund C. Aczon, Field Representative
94-403 Punono St.
Mililani, Hawaii 96789
808-623-8334
Connecticut Senate Primary Election
