Republican Party WAILEA >> In a state convention with few surprises, Republican Party chairwoman Linda Lingle flatly laid out her plans to take control of the state government in next year's elections.
convention starts
amid calls for
energetic diligence
GOP event sparks enthusiasm
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eyes governorshipIsle GOP to feature
Log Cabin groupBy Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin"We want the governorship and we want a majority in the state house," Lingle told the delegates here yesterday.
"I think it is very realistic. I think it is doable, but I think it will be very, very difficult."
Lingle was talking to about 300 delegates and alternates gathered at the Outrigger Wailea for the annual GOP state convention. Last year in Waikiki, Republicans had about twice that, but party officials said the Neighbor Island convention was more expensive and time-consuming for many delegates to attend.
Lingle used her luncheon speech to weave together her campaign for governor next year with the drive to win a majority in the state House. Republicans now control just over one-third of the 51 House votes, enough to force debate on issues, but not enough to pass legislation.
Lingle demonstrated, however, that she will use the votes on the floor this year to hammer home Republican issues.
"Now we have these votes on the record. The Democrats voted against removing the tax on medical services and food.
"The Democrats, every one of them said 'We want to continue to tax the poor and the sick,'" Lingle charged.
Turning the convention luncheon into something of a revival meeting, Lingle asked all the delegates to devote their lives to building the GOP.
"I am asking everyone who says they want to change, are you willing to commit the next 17 months of your life to changing your state forever?"
In response, House and Senate leaders pledged their support. "We are all hungry for this change and we are going to go after it," Rep. Joe Gomes (R, Waimanalo) said.
Lingle has no opposition for a second two-year term as GOP chairwoman, although she is expected to leave the day-to-day running of the party to someone else when she starts her campaign for governor.
She is not expected to have any opposition in her primary election, but Republicans are already talking about possible running mates. The three most frequently discussed are Windward Oahu Republicans, Reps. David Pendleton and Charles Djou and Sen. Bob Hogue.
Djou, a freshman, acknowledged yesterday that several supporters have asked him to consider running for lieutenant governor.
"I would have to say it is in the mix," Djou said, adding that the state's reapportionment plans may leave him without a House district. "I also think I can add something to the ticket," he said.
Hogue, a former sports broadcaster and columnist, said he is just considering the campaign and hasn't made any decisions.
Pendleton was not at the convention.
Wailea >> Hawaii's Republican Party is the first in the nation to present a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, the largest gay and lesbian GOP organization, as a featured speaker during its state convention, the party said. Isle GOP to feature
Log Cabin groupBy Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin
Jeffery Mead, who organized the Hawaii chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, said the organization hopes to attract local members and the speech shows that the GOP is a political party that covers many diverse groups.
"I think we will grow tremendously, we are mainly on Oahu, but we want to reach out to all the Islands," Mead said. The groups now has 25 members, he added. Mead won a standing ovation after his speech yesterday, an action that pleased party chairwoman Linda Lingle.
She recognizes that the group can be controversial, recalling how former U.S. Sen. Robert Dole returned a contribution from the group during his campaign for president.
"That's when I left the Dole campaign," Lingle said. "I was waiting to see what the reaction was and I was very pleased that he got his message across."
"The message was overwhelmingly warm," Mead said.
Some delegates like Rep. Mark Moses, who has opposed same sex marriage, said the inclusion of gays and lesbians in the party is a different issue. "We have always been a big tent and that is why we took this good step today," he said.
Another GOP delegate, Dwight Ovitt said he was a strong supporter of the Log Cabin Republicans. He also said he was surprised at the warmth of the Republican welcome. "I think it is a wonderful thing the Republicans did," Ovitt said.
Ovitt may already know something about practicing tolerance because his son has announced that he will be working as executive director of the state Democratic Party starting next month.