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Presidential Billed as the closest presidential contest since 1960, the race for U.S. president opens in earnest this week with the first of three debates.
debate all about
who wins, loses
Round 1 begins tomorrow;
Local races to watch
local political leaders say it
will get out their own stories
By Richard Borreca
Star-BulletinRound 1 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. Hawaii time at Boston College.
The National Commission on Presidential Debates, which is sponsoring all three debates plus a vice presidential debate, urges that viewers use the opportunity to learn about the candidates.
The commission suggests focusing on the question, "Who would make the better president?" rather than who won or lost.
For the leaders in Hawaii's two major political parties, however, the debate is all about who wins or loses, and the Democrats and Republicans are eager to get out their own story.
"Health care is very important, and Gore has always been in front on the health issues," says state Rep. Alex Santiago, Gore campaign field director.
"I'm really looking forward to the debate because the differences will be glaring," he says.
The Democrats are operating a special Gore campaign headquarters at 350 Ward Ave.
It will also be used to plan a coordinated campaign among all major Democratic candidates.
"The party can now focus on a comprehensive, coordinated effort to assure a sweeping win on Nov. 7," says Walter Heen, Democratic party chairman.
Republicans don't have a special headquarters for the presidential campaign, but Rep. Barbara Marumoto, Hawaii Bush chairwoman, says she is "piggybacking on the Republican rallies."
Another GOP worker is Lorraine Shin, a Big Island businesswoman, who is working to get Bush support among the various chambers of commerce and business groups on the Big Island.
"So far, there has been overwhelming support for Bush," she says.
"I think because of the grass-roots Republican organization in Hilo, there are more people who feel comfortable voting Republican this year," she says.
Recent statewide polls taken for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and KHNL-TV show that Bush will need more than just the support of the Big Island to win the state.
The neighbor islands are solidly Gore country.
On Oahu, the number still favors Gore, but by a closer margin.
According to the poll, a typical profile of Gore's biggest supporter would be a Hawaiian from the neighbor islands. The supporter would also be a woman, 45 years or older, who rents a home and has an income under $40,000.
The poll shows a typical Bush supporter would be an Oahu male, Caucasian or Filipino, 60 or older, who owns a home and has an income over $40,000.
The debate
Tuning in
Local broadcast: KGMB is the only local broadcast station that will cover the debate live, starting at 3 p.m. Hawaii time tomorrow.
