It’s cousin, not brother, and if Ed had the power to get TIME to do a hatchet piece on anyone, we would not be here having this conversation. Decent and full of Aloha for sure, and son Danny is a great chanter, but why won’t he debate Ed? It just seems evasive to me; I wonder if he’s well.

I don’t know Akaka’s record so well for myself, but I know the attitude I grew up hearing about Akaka saw him as a seat warmer who was best suited for entertaining constituents who visit the Capitol.

OTOH, what little I can remember about Ed Case (I left my home state 6 years ago) are a vague negative feeling that tells me a seatwarmer is preferable to him.

Hawaii voters want some real progressives, because there’s a feeling that the corruption and cronysm has put the state on a downwards spiral but they know that Republicans don’t represent them either. Unfortunately, the state Democratic party has refused to give them that option and they’re willing to turn to DINOs and Republicans.

The implication is that since both our current senators are older, we need to send someone younger in to learn at the knee of the most senior senator. Even though it’s unlikely that would actually happen, the combination of imagery and phraseology (is that a word?) are actually pretty persuasive. People are led to visualize Dan Inoye personally tutoring Case in the ins and outs of Washington.

Akaka’s ads, on the other hand, make a central point of his views on the war and occupation of Iraq, and how much it’s costing us in both blood and money – for what?

For an informed and/or rational, intelligent voter, there is no comparison. Akaka wins hands down. But there’s the rub. It is an unfortunate fact that most people are not informed, and most of them are of at most average intelligence. And let’s not get started on “rational”.

I’m a little concerned that Case has a chance. There are more people than you might realize who are susceptible to the fact-free argument Case is using. I’ve personally met people here who previously voted for Akaka and were buying it. His ads are actually pretty persuasive on an emotional level if you don’t know anything about the candidates. And unfortunately a lot of people know little or nothing substantial about the candidates. And react to messages largely on an emotional level. You see where I’m going with this. Case is courting the ignorant and easily led. It would be a mistake to underestimate the effectiveness of his campaign.

I’m gonna vote for Akaka, so he has at least one vote, but … if you have something to spare, you might consider sending something to the Akaka campaign. If only to help prevent the election of the Joe Lieberman of Hawaii.

Aloha!

That said though, Case is a disaster. As has been pointed out he is Lieberman in a Gentile suit and is far too supportive of corporations and the Iraq debacle, with unclear but scary views on Social Security. He is most definitely a DLC/Republican-lite Democrat. I’d love to shake up the Dem establishment in Hawaii (where I live) by voting for new blood but Case ain’t it.

Akaka didn’t help himself by making his entire tenure lately about his Native Hawaiian bill and allowing himself to be manipulated like a playtoy by Republicans who promise him the moon about his bill just to get his vote and then renege. He’s Charley Brown to the Republican’s Lucy and his bill is the football.

Sadly, the choice isn’t great and Akaka isn’t the best we can do but I’ll hold my nose and vote for Akaka in the primary because Case frankly scares the shit out of me.

Case is an ambitious 50-year-old guy whose whole platform seems to be “Sen. Akaka is too old; he might die in office and then our Republican governor will appoint a fellow Republican to replace him.” It’s not an idle fear, but much of the local Democratic party is offended. This is very much a society which reveres its elders, and Case’s approach is seen as disrespectful.

Clinton probably needs to relax a little, get some sun and play some golf and help his old buddy Akaka.