Senate Races 2006 Analysis #1

hawaiisenate2006
Originally uploaded by Randuwa.

"Hawaii Is a Democrat Thing...So Far"

(As previously promised, my politiphile, progressive analysis of races for the US Senate in 2006)

In 2006 the race in Hawaii seems a very safe seat for the Democrats in the Senate. The present incumbent, Daniel Akaka, is one of the most parochial members of the Senate. He has managed to represent the state for nearly 20 years. The state's governor on the occasion of the then Senator Spark Matsunaga's untimely death first appointed him to the office in April 1990. 2006 will be his forth attempt to win his seat in the US Senate.

Senator Akaka will actually turn 82 on the day of the election. While this doesn't best former Senator Strom Thurmond--R, (SC) or present incumbent Senator Robert Byrd--D, (WV), it does place him in the upper echelons of Senators vis-à-vis age. Yet, wisdom comes with age, and he's not displayed any of the troublesome signs of dementia that other Senators like Jim Bunning--R, (KY) and Patrick Leahy--I, (VT) have been accused of.

Senator Akaka holds the distinct honor of being the first person of native-Hawaiian ancestry to be elected to the US Senate. A fact alone that gives him tremendous support in his state. Along with colleague, Daniel Inouye (D-HI), he is one of two Asian/Pacific Islanders in the Senate, which is a higher percentage than the House can boast.

To date, no republicans have risen to challenge him. His only opponent appears to be another Democrat. Second district House representative, Ed Case, has thrown his hat into the ring. Representative Case was first elected to replace representative Patsy Takemoto Mink after her untimely death in early 2003. After which he won re-election to the seat in 2004.

Representative Case is a native Hawaiian of European-American Ancestry. His roots are fresher, more tender in the political soil, even as his experience in the process extends all the way back to Senator Spark Matsunaga, under whom he served. He also seems to be building a resume on a fast track that extends beyond the little islands of our picturesque 50th state. So this move against Akaka is frought with potential ramafications.

So how do I see this portion of the race settle down? Tradition vs. Modernity. Asian-American vs. Euro-American. Parochial concerns vs. national aspirations. I have no idea. Without an opponent from the Republican Party, I am not sending any money to either of them before the primary.... It will be very interesting to see how Hawaiians decide between these two candidates. And it seem like the senate seat in Hawaii will remain BLUE.

There are 33 seats up for grabs. And at this point I calle Dems 1, Reps 0; net change: Status Quo.