Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano is flanked by
Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, left, and U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink
at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last night.
Associated Press

He needs to show that he and the Democratic Party have more compassion than Bob Dole and the Republicans, they say.

It is Clinton's humanity, not his policy, that needs to be the important element in his nationally televised address accepting renomination, several key isle delegates said last night in interviews on the convention floor.

"He needs to express himself well enough so that people know how sincere he is in wanting to help people, especially people who can't help themselves," said U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. "He needs to get that feeling out, that empathy."

If Clinton is to neutralize the "bounce" Dole got out of the Republican National Convention, he needs to stir emotions, former Gov. John Waihee added.

"Clinton needs to play on the enthusiasm of this crowd," Waihee said.

"By now, Adrenalin is running through the aisles."

Nonetheless, Clinton still needs to say what he intends to do in a second term, particularly with the economy, given that Dole has unveiled a 15 percent across-the-board tax cut that's aimed at saving $548 billion over six years, Waihee said.

Clinton also needs to address welfare reform since Clinton signed into law the Republican bill that many liberal Democrats dislike, Waihee added.

Russell Okata, executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association union, said he hopes Clinton restores cuts to education and health and social services imposed by the Republican Congress.

Hawaii Democratic Party Chairman Richard Port said if Clinton doesn't reveal what he intends to do in a second term., he'll join his predecessor, President Bush, as a one-term president.

Gov. Ben Cayetano added: "As Jesse Jackson and Mario Cuomo said (in convention speeches), we have to assume we're all in this together.

"Either we all make it or we all don't make it.

"If we don't try to help each other, we don't have an America worth living in."