Clinton coming to
aid isle Democrats

2 GOP candidates miss forum
Candidates back senior centers

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Associated Press

Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to visit Hawaii one week before the November general election in an effort to rally support for Democrats, the state's Democratic Party chairwoman said.

[ ELECTION 2002 ]

"We're very excited and pleased that President Clinton will be coming to Hawaii," state party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba said yesterday.

Clinton's trip is sponsored in part by the Democratic National Committee.

Akiba said the party hopes Clinton can rally support for the party and convince Democrats to stay true to the party.

"I think the working families and the working men and women that are traditionally Democratic voters need to realize that although (Republican front-runner) Linda Lingle tries to morph into sounding like a Democrat, she is still a Bush Republican," Akiba said.

Clinton last visited Hawaii in May, meeting informally with Gov. Ben Cayetano and other political and business leaders while on a two-day stopover en route to East Timor for the inauguration of East Timor President-elect Xanana Gusmao.