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As posted in my FA journal:
Well, Hawaii's primary election 2012 is over, and at least it's nice to get a break from some political ads, at least for a day or so.
But now is when it looks like things are really gonna heat up.
The Presidential election notwithstanding, the Republicans are already looking at pouring in tons of $$$ for Linda Lingle's campaign against Mazie Hirono for the Senate seat vacated by Daniel Akaka, who is retiring. And that's because if they can get four seats, they can obtain a majority in the Senate and knock Dan Inouye out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. So the Republicans have a lot at stake on the race.
Closer to home, the upcoming runoff between former Governor Ben Cayetano and Manging Director Kirk Caldwell for mayor is gonna be interesting. At stake is the proposed rail project. Proponents are probably going to push hard for it, but I personally can't see a reason to support it... my end of the island will see no benefit from it, the project itself has been mismanaged from the start, and I'm really wary that we could be throwing good money after bad. And while those stuck in a good chunk of the morning and afternoon commute may push for it, you gotta remember that the whole island is gonna end up paying for it, so you'll have to sell the rail to everyone else. Cayetano's Bus Rapid Transit will at least benefit more of the island as far as I can tell.
I don't know yet who I plan to vote for, but it's pretty much a given that no matter who I choose, I'm gonna be criticized for my choices. But that's all part of the democratic process. For me, I think it's gonna come down to the issues AND who I believe is best for the state and country. I'm voting absentee since that's a lot easier for me logistically. But once I make my decision -- and it may not be until the weekend before election day -- I'm keeping my choices close-hold until after the election.
Well, Hawaii's primary election 2012 is over, and at least it's nice to get a break from some political ads, at least for a day or so.
But now is when it looks like things are really gonna heat up.
The Presidential election notwithstanding, the Republicans are already looking at pouring in tons of $$$ for Linda Lingle's campaign against Mazie Hirono for the Senate seat vacated by Daniel Akaka, who is retiring. And that's because if they can get four seats, they can obtain a majority in the Senate and knock Dan Inouye out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. So the Republicans have a lot at stake on the race.
Closer to home, the upcoming runoff between former Governor Ben Cayetano and Manging Director Kirk Caldwell for mayor is gonna be interesting. At stake is the proposed rail project. Proponents are probably going to push hard for it, but I personally can't see a reason to support it... my end of the island will see no benefit from it, the project itself has been mismanaged from the start, and I'm really wary that we could be throwing good money after bad. And while those stuck in a good chunk of the morning and afternoon commute may push for it, you gotta remember that the whole island is gonna end up paying for it, so you'll have to sell the rail to everyone else. Cayetano's Bus Rapid Transit will at least benefit more of the island as far as I can tell.
I don't know yet who I plan to vote for, but it's pretty much a given that no matter who I choose, I'm gonna be criticized for my choices. But that's all part of the democratic process. For me, I think it's gonna come down to the issues AND who I believe is best for the state and country. I'm voting absentee since that's a lot easier for me logistically. But once I make my decision -- and it may not be until the weekend before election day -- I'm keeping my choices close-hold until after the election.
