THIS old Democratic Party isn't what it used to be. Liberal Democratic incumbents like Annelle Amaral lost in last night's election, candidates anointed by the Democratic governor lost and old-time Democratic Party strategies that rely on grass- roots workers and support also failed. Results sobering
for Hawaii DemocratsCampaign tactician Linda Takayama, chairwoman of the Democrats' coordinated campaign, could only wonder what happened last night.
Part of the change, she noted, is that old-style rallies and grass-roots mailings don't work anymore.
We are in the age of television and Democrats are finally going to either learn to use the tube or perish.
At the same time, the current Democratic governor must answer the question of what does it mean when you flex your political muscles and nothing happens.
Gov. Ben Cayetano was there to help prime the pump for Arnold Morgado's campaign for mayor. He attended fund-raisers. State workers were involved in the campaign, with his own advisors playing key roles.
Cayetano's administration also worked to dump several state legislators who had opposed the governor's policies.
And to a lesser degree, Cayetano also went to bat for David Arakawa's campaign for prosecutor. It was all without success.
Finally, 1996 will be remembered as the year that conservatives chased liberals out of several state House districts.
The result of all this will be a Democratic Party that walks a little more gingerly, a party that hears footsteps behind it and a party that should take some time to figure out where it wants to be come the millennium.
Newly elected Democratic Party Chairwoman Marilyn Bornhorst says the party must regroup and reorganize.
She is calling for the Democrats in the House and Senate and Cayetano to gather to draft a manifesto of what they believe.
And then, she says the House and Senate and governor have to work together to put the plan into action and get results.
Bornhorst thinks a plan to finance elder care would be a relevant and worthwhile first step.
Clearly the biggest trend in this year's election was the anti-incumbency mood, which struck the Democrats the hardest.
If they are to continue to win, Democrats must regain the relevancy that made them a vital social force 20 or 30 years ago.
Bornhorst's idea for an agreed-upon manifesto is a good step.
In some ways that would build on the consensus-seeking meetings held by Bornhorst's predecessor, Richard Port.
LAST night Port agreed that state legislators who lost were those who were perceived as not doing "the people's business."
"I predict the next legislative session will be much more responsive," Port optimistically ventured.
The problems within the Democrats' own party, not outside forces, were the reason for Democrats to worry.
For the Republicans, the same-sex marriage issue definitely was a help, but issues like that will not keep the new GOP members in the state House, nor will it fill the county councils with Republicans.
Even in a Democratic lock state like Hawaii, times change.
