I've been frustrated that the Akaka race in Hawaii isn't getting more attention. It is a reverse Lieberman/Lamont race with a DLC/pro-Lieberman/Pro-Bush/DINO/Pro-War Ed Case challenging him in the primary. "Maybe I am imagining this imbalance," I thought. So I did a search of stories over the last 6 months on dailykos.
While five stories mention Akaka, only two mention his Democratic Primary challenge from Ed Case. By comparison, 269 stories have been written about Ned Lamont's challenge to Lieberman.
I am interested in Akaka because I feel the need to protect a pro-peace incumbent. Akaka's voted repeatedly against Bush's failed war, and is doing the right thing by his votes in the Senate. I feel it's good karma to protect a good incumbent. So why isn't the blog world not swiftly jumping in to support Akaka?
The successes of the blogging for Lamont efforts are undeniable. Yet, with the progressive blogosphere working so hard to elect Lamont, wouldn't folks want to ensure a progressive balance of the Senate Democratic Caucus? If Case wins, all of Lamont's votes will be cancelled out by him, no question. What, then, have we really changed? Why do you think this is? Here are some potential reasons...
NATIONAL TICKET. Neither Hawaii candidate was on the national ticket for president or vice president, while Lieberman is the high profile Senator who served as Al Gore's appointee for Vice President in 2000. Akaka and Case? Not so much.
DISTANCE. Hawaii is a bit further driving distance from DC and NYC than Hawaii. Actually, I wouldn't recommend driving to Hawaii from any other state.
AX TO GRIND AGAINST AN INCUMBENT. Lieberman has that kissing picture with Bush. Akaka, well, it's hard to have an ax to grind against Akaka. He's just a nice guy who does the right thing but doesn't demand alot of attenion for it.
AX TO GRIND AGAINST THE DLC. Then there's Ed Case and any pictures and kissing the President. Makes it easier to have that ax to grind against someone who literally stands by a President we didn't support and who lies to get us in war. Unfortunately, Ed Case would vote pretty much the same way as Lieberman has. Actually, I think we can safely say Case is more conservative than Liberman. Lieberman is simply the poster child for the DLC, and Ed Case only wishes he was.
Here's a great reason to turn your attention to the Hawaii primary: Case is supporting Lieberman in the General Election, while Akaka supports Lamont.
I am not sure of the reasons the blog world isn't giving a larger size of blog real estate to covering Akaka's primary, do y'all? After all, wouldn't it be fun if Lamont gets all his votes cancelled out from the new junior senator from Hawaii, Ed Case? Or what was all that work about, anyway?