I mean, Akaka and Case have a Democratic primary tomorrow and they are the ideological reverse of Lieberman & Lamont.
So, tomorrow's the day Hawaii voters go to the polls, and I am cautiously optimistic. Polling did show Akaka has the lead, and the money is in Akaka's favor (in candidate accounts, anyway.) But the polling analysis Jonathan Singer at mydd.com alludes to concerns me, and big business groups like the National Realtors and the Chamber of Commerce have dumped big piles of 527 money into independent ads supporting Ed Case, so I have no idea what's going to happen.
Three final messages about this race, pre-election day: 1) if you are just now seeing that there is a primary in Hawaii, I urge you to read more. This race is every bit as important as the Lieberman/Lamont primary in CT, but in reverse - a good peace-loving progressive needs your help STAYING in office. Please donate to the campaign. 2) If you are outside of Hawaii, but already following this race, please donate to help Akaka's GOTV efforts. 3) If you are in Hawaii, please vote Akaka, get involved with GOTV, and keep us posted about the results.
For most of us, I know it's a harder race to follow, since it's so far from the continental 48 (plus don't forget DC). Since following this race, I'm awakened to all the diverse dynamics of Hawaii politics, which are hard to grasp if you aren't there and don't experience it first hand. I've taken up this race as a minor hobby, and I hope to continue to be involved with Hawaii in the future. I know I have so much more to learn, and want a better understanding of all the shifting dynamics for the future.
I remember my shock, back in 2004, when newscasts said Hawaii wasn't as secure of a blue state as we once took for granted, and Kerry shouldn't take it for granted. I think Hawaii's been ignored by mainland Democrats, as we've all assumed it was blue for good, never to change. But now we have little reason to feel that way. Hawaii's got a Republican Governor, for example.
That's too bad that Hawaii Democrats are ignored, because I've found that my little blog project went a long way to help. I was suprised when my searches unearthed Hawaii blogs linking to my humble little blog, after just a few posting about the race. Many Hawaii Democrats posted comments to my diary posts, too.
Dennis Kucinich proved a little attention goes a long way, too. His efforts during the 2004 Presidential Primary gained him many fans in Hawaii, and he came in second to front-runner John Kerry.
Anyway, I am rambling here...
Bottom line: I hope more political junkies keep Hawaii on the radar in the future. If Akaka wins, some will toss Hawaii in the "see, I knew it would all work out" catigory, but it would be a mistake to continue to take Hawaii's blue-state-status for granted. But if Akaka loses, and so many here finally wake up and go "what the heck," I hope the shock waves make changes in attention that should have happened months (years?) ago!
I'm hopeful, and I'll predict a victory for Akaka. If I've helped in any way, it has been my pleasure. Mahalao!