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Hawaii urges PHILADELPHIA -- Stick to the basics. That's what Hawaii delegates think will resonate with voters back home when Texas Gov. George W. Bush gives his acceptance speech tonight.
Bush to stick
to basics
Isle group focuses on
education, tax cuts, Social
Security and the military
By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin"He's just got to pound home on education, the issues that really hit home, on family, lower taxes, solving the problems with social security and a strong military," said delegation leader Barbara Marumoto.
"He has to speak from the heart," said Hawaii national committeewoman Miriam Hellreich. "Politics in Hawaii is much more personal than anywhere else."
Hawaii delegates saw Bush speak at a lunch today honoring his wife -- his only public appearance before tonight's speech.
"We're going to do things differently if given the chance to lead the country," Bush said. "This is a positive, hopeful agenda. Just give us a chance to work with people to get it done so that America's promise can spread its wings throughout all of society.
"If you want to hear more about that, just tune in at 10 o'clock tonight," he teased.
Bush also showed some of the bipartisanship he's been praised for when he introduced his wife -- giving credit to both Democrats and Republicans when he talked about his education policies.
The lunch honored Laura Bush's literacy efforts and was yet another opportunity for the campaign to highlight the improvements in Texas public school scores during Bush's term as governor.
The campaign theme -- "Leave no child behind" -- was repeated 10 times during the program.
Hawaii GOP chairwoman Linda Lingle said that's a line local Republicans will use to promote Bush and his agenda.
"It makes it clear it's not just for some children," she said. "It's for all children."
Earlier this morning, Hawaii delegates got another hint of some of the themes that could be in the speech from Bush's younger brother, Marvin.
"He's going to give a speech that will knock your socks off," Marvin Bush told a joint meeting of the Hawaii and Alabama delegations.
Bush's speech this morning hit the highlights of the campaign themes that have emerged from the convention -- a stronger military, family, personal responsibility rather than government handouts, education and outreach to minorities.
"The party of Lincoln is big enough to embrace African Americans, Hispanics and others who have been overlooked in the past," Bush said.
Bush also indirectly made reference to President Bill Clinton's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky, talking about "restoring respect and dignity to the office that's been missing for the last eight years."
Those references, this time directly aimed at Clinton, got the most applause last night when vice presidential nominee Dick Cheney made his acceptance speech that boosted his credentials for the office, attacked Clinton's integrity and record in office and tied Gore to his boss for the last two terms.
After two days of a "kinder and gentler" convention, Hawaii Republicans were waiting for a hard-hitting speech. Cheney delivered.
"He's so soft-spoken, it's almost like hitting you with a velvet hammer," Hellreich said.
Last night, the hammer struck home frequently with the partisan crowd. Cheney's speech was interrupted several times with standing ovations and chants of "Time to go, Time to go."
When they left the convention center last night Hawaii, delegates were sweating, their voices were hoarse, but they were all wearing big grins.
"Fighting words," said delegate Danny Rodrigues.
"We're inspired," said delegate and state representative David Pendleton. "He gave some of the compelling reasons why change is needed."
