Thursday, December 27, 2012

Musings: Political Fortunes

It's amazing how political fortunes can change overnight.

One minute you're holding the largely symbolic office of Lieutenant Governor, and the next you're cruising with the Prez aboard Air Force One, taking the night flight to D.C. to assume your new job as a U.S. Senator.

I'm speaking, of course, of Brian Schatz, who hadn't even been sworn in to Dan Inouye's old seat before tossing his hat in the ring for the 2014 Senate race. And the 2016 race, too. In fact, now he's saying he wants to make the Senate his life's work.

So have the powers to be in the Democratic Party decided Brian's gonna be our boy for the next 40 years?

At least somebody had the balls to finally stand up to Inouye — now that he's dead. Because I don't think it set well with a lot of people, the idea that Colleen Hanabusa would be named his successor, just because it was his deathbed wish.

And at least we won't have to pay for, and endure, a special election so the politicians who aspire to something higher — and don't they all? — can play musical chairs.

Because no matter who we send to fill Dan's shoes, we're already screwed. As in no clout, no seniority, no connections, nobody to do the dirty business of twisting arms and calling in favors that Inouye did so well.

There are lessons for all of us in this.

First, keep your bag packed so you're ready to go when opportunity knocks. But remember, you have to actually open the door. And most likely fill out some paper work first. And never discount the value of laying the groundwork and engaging in some well-placed hoomalimali to grease the skids.

Second, don't cling to anything out of ego. Both Dans should have retired at least a term or more ago. It's not ageist to recognize the political insanity of having two Senators in their 80s. But both fought the infusion of any new blood and hung on too long, no doubt thinking they were serving the state as only they could.

Now we'll be living — voiceless and vulnerable, impoverished and inconsequential — with those decisions for years to come.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Now we'll be living — voiceless and vulnerable, impoverished and inconsequential — with those decisions for years to come."

you mean like the kanaka have?

Joan Conrow said...

Touche!

Anonymous said...

Schatz is favor of Hawaiian recognition --- Akaka Bill. But here is a you tube of Russell MEans saying why the Bureau of Indian Affairs is so messed up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVANRroxuOo

Anonymous said...

Schatz will vote however they tell him to vote.

Anonymous said...

Yhea it was self-serving of Inouye and Akaka to stay in office until 88. They should've put the welfare of Hawaii before their careers. To think Inouye intended to run again in 2016 is downright arrogant. Did he really think he was invincible or indispensible? That no one else could do better than him? Why on earth do we not have term limits for Congress? It's ridiculous to let them run term after term as in Inouye's case. Their position of power gets to their head and now we have Shatz thinking that he's going to make it the rest of his career as a senator.

Anonymous said...

Kanakas, Egyptins, women in India all have a voice. You must take it to the streets and see if you have support!

Anonymous said...

The ironies of political life: if Hooser had just stayed put in the senate, as senate president he would have now been handed the position he wanted (lt gov) on a silver platter.

Anonymous said...

Hooser's ambition exceeded his abilities.

Hawaii is not voiceless or inconsequential. 2 Senate votes at the margin is meaningful. And it's only a matter of a short time before the seniority builds.

Besides, maybe the MI Complex will take a well deserved hit in Hawaii. Maybe we can see the end of the waste at PMRF for example. Shut that crap down.

Anonymous said...

9:10 AM

Thanks for that video of Russel Means.Heʻs so young in this video.

Thereʻs another one of him (in "The United States of Hypocrisy")just a few years ago when he speaking for the Lawful Hawaiian Governemnt.

Anonymous said...

Does it really benefit Hawaii to have a moron take Inoye's seat? Even if he does think himself educated and smart?

Anonymous said...

Hooser is done. He is nothing but a complainer at this point

Anonymous said...

It was people like Dan Inouye that made Hawaii such a nice place for all of you to move here and capture your own slice of paradise.

Anonymous said...

"......people like Dan Inouye that made Hawaii such a nice place for all of you to move here and capture your own slice of paradise...."

If this is "paradise" I guess the problems with Meth, alcohol, and having the highest rates of diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart disease in the nation.....?

He supported military expansion on the Islands and brought more money, more pollution (land,air and sea)...to help support the over bloated state and local government...
and opened the door for Syngenta, Pioneer and other polluters to experiment on the people of Hawaii with Franken-seed crops.

Anonymous said...

Your commenters have a strange perspective. Hooser is back working on local politics, which is best for Kauai. Yeah he is done in the Senate, but that works best for us here on kauai. Gary is smart, and speaks up. He will not need 2 years to get up to speed, he already is up to speed.
Brian Shatz aint no dummy either,he is Young and articulate

Anonymous said...

Brian and Gary are two of the the very few smart, political savy and dedicated political leaders we ever have in the state. Happy that Brian was appointed as our US senator, and Gary is back to serve the people of Kauai.

Anonymous said...

Sorry.

Gary is not smart. He's pleasant and seems honest, but smart? Nope.