Former Maui Mayor Linda Lingle is virtually assured of winning the state Republican Party's chairmanship when the party faithful gather in May. But Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano doesn't believe that post will springboard her into the governor's mansion in the year 2002. Lingle won’t be 2002
governor, Cayetano says"By then, the isle economy will have rebounded," predicted Cayetano, who won re-election last year with a victory margin of just 1.3 percentage points over Lingle.
Cayetano said the isle Democratic Party and its gubernatorial nominee -- whoever that might be -- will be ready for Lingle, who has acknowledged interest in a second gubernatorial bid. "It won't be much of a contest," Cayetano opined.
Cayetano added that a lot will also depend "on how she shapes the party and whether she'll be able to attract moderates or independents to the Republican Party. That's going to be difficult."
KOSOVO VOTE WASHINGTON -- The House last week approved President Clinton's plan to send U.S. troops to Kosovo to keep the peace, but Hawaii's two House members declined to support the idea.
Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Patsy Mink voted "present" rather than for or against the resolution to support Clinton's plan to use up to 4,000 troops in Kosovo if and when a treaty is signed. The measure was approved, 219 to 191.
Abercrombie and Mink were among only 37 Democrats not voting for the resolution.
A spokesman said Abercrombie was unhappy with the timing of the resolution, coming as it did before a peace treaty was even signed. But he did not want the resolution to fail, as that might make it harder to reach an accord.
By Star-Bulletin staff