[ OUR OPINION ]
Open presidential race
gives clout to Hawaii DemsCONVENTIONAL wisdom said that Howard Dean would lock down the Democratic presidential nomination before delegates chosen in next month's Hawaii caucuses could have an opportunity to be part of the decision-making process. The Iowa caucus results instead have turned the party's presidential race into a wide open contest that could extend into the spring. Hawaii's two cents have grown in value.
THE ISSUE
Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards finished first and second in Iowa's caucuses for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Dean has been running as a Washington outsider but has gained endorsements from the Democratic establishment. However, support from former Vice President Al Gore and Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin failed to bring Dean a victory in Iowa, and endorsements by Rep. Neil Abercrombie and former Gov. Ben Cayetano provide no assurance that Hawaii will be in the former Vermont governor's column.
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's victory and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' strong runner-up finish in Iowa have thrust them into strong contention, leaving Dean's highly touted organization gasping and forcing Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri to end his presidential campaign. Awaiting Kerry, Edwards and Dean in next Tuesday's New Hampshire primary election are Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Gore's 2000 running mate, and retired Gen. Wesley Clark. Lieberman, whom Rep. Ed Case has endorsed, and Clark did not run in Iowa.
The next important date is Feb. 3, when primaries will be held in seven states, including South Carolina, where Clark and Edwards have set their sights high. Contests are scheduled in eight other states before Hawaii Democrats gather in caucuses on Feb. 24.
Thirteen of Hawaii's 29 delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be pledged to cast first-ballot votes based on presidential preferences of those voting at the caucuses. The May 28-30 state convention will determine how seven other delegates will be pledged to vote at the national convention, while the remaining nine delegates will consist of the congressional delegation and party leaders who will be free to vote as they please.
Barring further surprises, the field of strong contenders could remain the same for many weeks as the candidates try to project images suitable to the electorate. Dean described himself as "the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party" in Iowa, mistakenly expecting liberals to control the caucuses, but donned the "centrist" cloak on his way to New Hampshire.
Dean's current attempt to change his image acknowledges that most Democrats want a nominee who can appeal to enough moderate voters to win in November. Lieberman is such a moderate, but he is short on charisma. If Lieberman falters, self-described centrist Case may shift his support to Clark, who is backed by many in the former Clinton administration.
