Focus on Senate topics, not drama

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 30, 2012

~~<p>Emotions are running high in the Democratic race to fill the vacancy to be created by the retirement of U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. The nominee will face former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle — and with the winner likely to represent Hawaii in the Senate for years to come, the personal confrontations must make way for specific political game plans.</p>
<p>The Mazie Hirono-Ed Case matchup in this Democratic primary is similar to the gubernatorial contest a decade ago; then, Hirono beat Case but lost to Lingle in the general election. The personal undercurrents this time around have grown more complex — but the candidates would do well to set those aside and concentrate on the substantive issues at hand.</p>
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Emotions are running high in the Democratic race to fill the vacancy to be created by the retirement of U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. The nominee will face former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle — and with the winner likely to represent Hawaii in the Senate for years to come, the personal confrontations must make way for specific political game plans.

The Mazie Hirono-Ed Case matchup in this Democratic primary is similar to the gubernatorial contest a decade ago; then, Hirono beat Case but lost to Lingle in the general election. The personal undercurrents this time around have grown more complex — but the candidates would do well to set those aside and concentrate on the substantive issues at hand. Login for more...