Looking for a veep? Try YouTube

More than a few Hawaii jaws undoubtedly dropped as people watched the HBO cable movie "Game Change," the TV rendering of the bestseller about the 2008 presidential campaign.

As John McCain campaign staff mulled over ways of reclaiming the spotlight from Barack Obama. someone hit on the idea of a woman running mate to juice up excitement on the GOP side.

So campaign adviser Rick Davis and others on the McCain team scouted female contenders by scanning YouTube videos, and whose face flashed briefly on the screen? None other than that of former Gov. Linda Lingle.

Most political watchers know she was a big McCain backer, friend of Sarah Palin, and a speaker at the Republican convention, but could Lingle have been a heartbeat away, really? Who knows? It was a fun TV moment for isle watchers, though.

Belly up to the Samoa caucus

There’s not much of a crowd at most presidential primary events in American Samoa. That’s mainly because voters generally have to be registered members of the party, and a nonpartisan approach is more common in Samoan homegrown politics.

So yesterday’s 50 or so Republicans could all fit in a local watering hole, the Toa Bar & Grill, for their caucusing over six delegates.

Even if Hawaii’s GOP contingent is overwhelmed by the roster of isle Democrats, there are far too many Republicans here to caucus at even the largest tavern.

Too bad. It’s the perfect place either to drown one’s sorrows or to celebrate.