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Diversity LOS ANGELES -- The story, Dan Inouye said, was America's story. And last night at the Democratic convention, Inouye touched on the story of his life to emphasize the diversity in the Democratic Party.
is key to unity,
Inouye says
He recalls his heritage,
backs native treaty rights,
reassures veterans and
praises Gore's 'guts'Political spouses seen
more as individualsBy Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin"My grandparents came from Japan, 101 years ago, to work in the cane fields of Hawaii," he said.
"They were not scholars. They were not wealthy. They did not own a log cabin.
"I join you as a grandson of immigrants, a proud American, and a proud member of the United States Senate," Inouye said.
A strong defender of native Americans and native Hawaiians, Inouye said the next president will likely appoint several members of the U.S. Supreme Court, and that could be vital to native Americans.
"These justices can either destroy or maintain the sanctity of the treaties that Indian leaders of ancient times entered into with past presidents," he said.
"The Indians gave their sons and daughters for our nation's defense. They gave their land and their bounty for those of us who now live on these lands.
"The least we can do is to protect and uphold the sanctity of their treaties," Inouye said.
Dee Brown, a Hawaii delegate who is running for the state house in Maui's Kihei district, called Inouye's speech "exciting."
"He relates as one of the people and makes you feel he is one of you," she said.
Inouye also used his time on the podium to talk about veteran affairs, elder care and civil rights.
"I was a proud American when we passed the civil rights laws and said to our African-American brothers and sisters that they are equal in the eyes of the law," Inouye said.
That pleased Hawaii delegate Faye Kennedy, who is a Hawaii Civil Rights commissioner.
"It makes me proud to be a member of the delegation and to have him speak for us is such an honor," she said.
Inouye said after the address that he did not want to cover areas that had already been discussed by other speakers.
"I knew there would be talk about the minimum wage and Social Security, and I also wanted to talk about Al Gore, because I know him," he said.
"Also, veterans feel they are forgotten, and I wanted to reassure them," said Inouye, who earlier this year was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in World War II.
Speaking of Gore's decision to pick Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman as his vice presidential nomination, Inouye said it showed Gore's leadership. "It takes leadership to make that call," Inouye said. "It showed a lot of guts."
LOS ANGELES -- After hearing Hillary Rodham Clinton speak, Hawaii Democratic Party Chairman Walter Heen said: "You have just heard the first speech by the president of the United States in eight years." Political spouses seen
more as individualsBy Richard Borreca
Star-BulletinHeen is counting on Vice President Al Gore winning the presidency and serving two terms. But after that, he said, Hillary Clinton, the first lady and Democratic candidate for U.S. senator from New York, is the top candidate for president.
Whether Heen's political speculation is on track has yet to be confirmed by the first lady, but the role of political spouses is changing.
For instance, Hawaii's first lady, Vicky Cayetano, a successful businesswoman, said she might like to run for office.
"I like the public-service side of it," she said. "But I'm not very fond of the political side, so I don't know how to do one without the other.
"If I can find an answer to that, yes, I would consider it in some form," she said.
"To be able to improve people's lives and do something for people, that would be important."
The public no longer looks at a politician's spouse as someone who is one-dimensional and is only seen as a support for the person in politics, Cayetano said.
So someone like Hillary Clinton can go out and define herself as a leader and advocate separate from her husband.
"She reflects the face of many women today with their own identity," Cayetano said.
"I have talked with her, and she is intelligent, caring and compassionate."
But, Cayetano added, she didn't know if the public would accept a woman president.
"After traveling around the country, I'm just not sure this country is really ready to elect a woman president," she said.
Cayetano declined to say what office she would like to run for.