On one level, Hawaii is having an election about what U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye wants.
The November contest is about selecting new leaders, and indirectly determining the fate of the Honolulu rail project. For some, it is also about weighing the desires of the Hawaii senior senator.
At 88, Inouye is on an exalted pedestal of political and senatorial seniority that few can even measure. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Inouye’s hand is in much of what our nation spends. The permanent U.S. Capitol security guard parked outside his door speaks to his position as president pro tem of the Senate and third in line of presidential succession.
His wishes, however, are not always commands, as two former Hawaii governors reminded us this week.
Former Gov. Linda Lingle, a Republican, wants to join Inouye in the U.S. Senate. Inouye thinks not.
Former Gov. Ben Cayetano wants buses and not a $5.27 billion rail system to move Honolulu commuters, and again Inouye thinks not.
Both want what Inouye doesn’t, but both contend that on balance, the senior senator will still be available to represent Hawaii and support the state’s plans, even if they don’t line up with his desires. Voters, not Inouye, will decide, they say.
"Respect is one thing, deference is another," says Cayetano.
The sometimes pugnacious Democrat acknowledges that Inouye is enough of a force that supporters can just conjure up what would displease him and then act accordingly.
"He is, no question, the most influential person in the state, and one thing I learned is that people who may have supported me … feel somewhat concerned or maybe even intimidated and they step away, or they support me silently," Cayetano said in an interview.
"I am not saying he is going around saying these things, but the very fact that he takes a position can have influence," Cayetano said.
For Lingle, part of her campaign pitch is that just like Noah had two of each animal on the ark, it behooves Hawaii to have one senator from each party in the Senate. Lingle says Inouye works in a bipartisan fashion, even calling the late Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens "my brother."
Maybe Inouye doesn’t have to call Lingle "Sis," but together they would cover all the bases, Lingle reasons.
Inouye, of course, is not buying any of it. He wants the train; he wants Rep. Mazie Hirono in the U.S. Senate, and has said so in a Hirono TV spot.
"Sen. Inouye was trying to personally determine who gets elected, and that decision is up to the people," Lingle said in an interview.
She also released a campaign video saying Inouye should stay out of the race.
"Sen. Inouye believes he should be the one to determine who should step down, and who should step up, in Hawaii politics.
"He seems to believe that he should be the one who picks our next United States senator," Lingle said in the video.
Apparently playing both "bad cop" and "good cop," Lingle then praises Inouye.
"I have developed such a strong respect for him and what he has done for our state," Lingle said in the interview.
"That is why we believe that he and I are the very strongest combination for Hawaii," she said.
Lingle and Cayetano both believe that if Inouye’s election wishes are not granted, he will still come around to help Hawaii.
"If I win, I am sure he will be with us," Cayetano said.
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Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.
