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Capitol View
REPUBLICANS in Hawaii have spent decades debating and fuming over the issue of abortion. As controversial a topic as abortion is across the country, in Hawaii there is special meaning, because ours was the first state legislature to legalize abortion. Abortion divides
Hawaii GOPAlthough it was a bill supported by Democrats and allowed to become law by a Democratic governor, abortion is a constant issue at the Legislature.
The issue has profoundly divided the Hawaii Republican Party. In 1980, Hawaii's GOP was torn on the issue, but at the national convention in Detroit the anti-abortion leaders allowed pro-choice Republicans to attempt a floor amendment to change the platform. The move failed, but the fall-out within the party was not severe.
Differences became sharper in 1988 when supporters of Pat Robertson took over most of the local GOP. Abortion again was an issue. For Hawaii Republicans, the stand on abortion became the litmus test.
Later, as the Robertson Republicans drifted away from the party, the Republicans continued to battle over abortion. I still recall a GOP convention on Kauai when party leaders were so afraid of a bitter floor fight on abortion they arranged the platform vote so that it came late on the last day and had to be dropped.
The battle swung the other way this year when the GOP's new leader, Linda Lingle, urged the party to come up with a platform more in tune with the majority of Hawaii voters, who are overwhelmingly pro-choice.
Lingle herself is pro-choice and the party platform "supports a woman's right to choose" although it is against partial-birth abortions and supports parental notification.
"Our platform was created locally, by local people, and we are not restricted or limited to the national platform," Lingle says.
Hawaii does have a link to the national GOP debate on abortion and presidential politics, because Lingle is a supporter of pro-choice Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge for vice president.
But, Lingle cautions, the GOP shouldn't get so caught up in the abortion politics of the presidential year. Pro-choice supporters argue that the next president may appoint up to three new Supreme Court members, which could change the decision in Roe vs. Wade.
"The only impact is it would allow states to make the decision, and if that did happen, of course, Hawaii recognizes a woman's right to choice," Lingle said.
Across the mainland pundits, such as the Boston Globe's Thomas Oliphant, are speculating on the impact of Gov. George W. Bush picking a pro-choice vice presidential running mate to balance his pro-life stance.
WHILE ticket-balancing is a plus in most cases, observers are saying that this year it is important for the GOP to stick with its own supporters and not disrupt the party's anti-abortion platform.
Lingle, however, sees it differently, saying that "variety on the ticket is good."
Besides, she adds, people will not go to a single issue for all their guidance on how to vote. The economy, education and taxes are also all part of the mix.
For the next two weeks, however, it is a better bet that the major topic of conversation will be how close the vice president's ideology must mirror the president's.
Then Hawaii's delegation will have to decide if it will follow or go in a separate direction.
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