Friction within Hawaii’s
GOP pup tent?

Hawaii's Republican Party may not be robust, but it might be large enough to experience growing pains.

In selecting Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo to be Hawaii's U.S. attorney, President Bush accepted the recommendation of state Rep. Barbara Marumoto, who headed his campaign in the islands last year and is being relied upon for advice on all federal openings in the state. GOP state Chairwoman Linda Lingle had suggested Mark Bennett, a former assistant U.S. attorney now in private practice, for the Justice Department's top job in Hawaii.

The disagreement should not be regarded as a bad omen for the GOP but rather an indication that the party has arrived at adolescence. Missouri's Ann Wagner, a national Republican co-chairwoman, said during a visit here last week that the party is a big tent. In Hawaii, it may still be pup-sized, but a tent nonetheless. What's next: factions?

Lee Catterall

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