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Capitol View
FOR years voters have reserved their biggest yawns for campaign finance reform. Except for a few instances when major politicians have been caught with all available body parts firmly wedged in the cookie jar, no one has really cared about how candidates got their money, as long as they delivered on the job. Campaign finance
reform in HawaiiIf your job future is bright, your schools shiny and pleasant, no marauding vandals threatening the family and the environment clean, then who cares about ethical fund-raising?
I offer two points of proof. First, we usually elect those with the most money to spend.
Second, I remember when Honolulu Book Shops went out of business and sold its books at 10 percent, 20 percent and finally 50 percent off. The books still on the shelf after the 50 percent off sale were all about campaign reform.
But now there's evidence of a turn.
There has always been a compelling interest to pay attention to where politicians get their money, because they get much of it from people who want them to do their bidding.
When they get more important jobs in the Legislature or on the City Council, more people want a piece of the action. When they become governor, they can really clean up, raising huge sums.
While our Gov. Ben Cayetano was well into the trough with his $5-million re-election campaign, he looked decidedly Slimfast compared to California Gov. Gray Davis. He has loaded up $13 million since winning election, mostly from unions and industrialists who want something and don't mind paying for it.
Campaign reform was the first issue for presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, who used it to broaden his base and eat into Democratic areas.
Exit polls in New York and California found six in 10 McCain voters called themselves moderate or liberal.
Back here in Hawaii, a new round of campaign expense reform measures, providing public funds for City Council elections or lowering the limits on campaign donations, appears likely to win at the Legislature.
Ira Rohter, a Green Party organizer who has been pushing the public financing plan, says it will help both his party and others that "aren't part of the mainstream networks, because it is hard to run alone."
The bloated treasuries of Hawaii's more powerful politicians just add to the feeling of impotence that seems to grip many in the islands.
At this year's Legislature there is at least the appearance of action as both the House and Senate have versions of the campaign finance limits and the public-funded measures still alive.
Although both proposals are aimed at upcoming elections, the Legislature is not likely to react quickly to calls for change by Common Cause and the Green Party.
The drive instead must come from either members of the Legislature or an overriding outside force.
Enter the public and the effect of McCain's presidential campaign.
The Democratic candidate, Vice President Al Gore, is still likely to be slapped around by the GOP for his now-infamous Buddhist temple fund-raising and President Clinton's charging for a night's stay at the White House.
If there is a rising demand for clean government in Hawaii, the Legislature has several vehicles to answer the call, but the demand would have to come from the public.
Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
Legislature BillsRichard Borreca reports on Hawaii's politics every Wednesday.
He can be reached by e-mail at rborreca@pixi.com