Isle GOP convention
turns training campAspiring candidates get advice
on crafting an effective campaign
Hawaii's Republican Party quickly converted its convention yesterday into a boot camp for new political candidates.
Aspiring GOP candidates included political novices and those experienced with the public spotlight, such as retired Navy Capt. Gerald Coffee, the former fighter pilot who was shot down during the Vietnam War and survived seven years as one of the longest-held prisoners in Hanoi.
Gov. Linda Lingle called Coffee, who is an author and guest lecturer, "a true American hero."
Coffee used the opening of the three-day convention at the Sheraton Waikiki to announce that he is running for the state House seat held by two-term Democratic Rep. Blake Oshiro in the 33rd District of Aiea to Halawa.
"I feel like our governor was elected upon a slate of change, and in many respects up to this point she's been thwarted in that effort by our Legislature, and I want to help her make the changes that she was elected to make," said Coffee, who has lived in Hawaii for 30 years.
Other candidates spent yesterday learning what help the GOP will provide and what skills they need to bring to the job.
"It is difficult for the party to support all candidates, so I learned if I were to be successful, I would have to depend on myself," said Rep. Lynn Finnegan (R, Mapunapuna-Foster Village), who is completing her first term.
Finnegan said the new candidates will probably get more help this year, but the party will also have more candidates in the general election.
The GOP today has changed because of the new people brought in by Lingle, said Micah Kane, state Hawaiian Homes Commission chairman and former GOP chairman.
"We have proven this isn't a social club. Now we have work to do and things to accomplish," Kane said.
Lingle and the GOP want to gain 11 House seats in the Legislature, which would, for the first time in 50 years, give them control of one chamber in the Legislature.
Yesterday, the new candidates were given a briefing paper prepared by Rep. Galen Fox (R, Waikiki-Ala Moana), telling them how to plan their strategy.
The issues for them to emphasize included education reform, reforms to the recently passed anti-drug bill and increased support for business.
"We fought to have the issues debated, hoping public and media would help pressure Democrats toward sensible outcomes, which so far has not happened with education and 'ice,'" the briefing paper read.
The candidates were told to focus on "how voting Republican will improve the lives of ordinary people and voting Democrat will harm those same lives."
"On 'ice,' we should focus on personal safety. ... We should also make economic security a big issue," Fox's memo said.
Yesterday, Lingle gave a one-hour talk featuring tips on how to speak in public. She suggested that candidates make sure they ask voters for help, prepare their speeches in advance and learn to limit their comments to just the message they want to convey.
Candidate also had a chance to learn about "ethnic outreach" from businessman Eddie Flores, who urged that candidates involve themselves in various ethnic communities. Other campaign seminars included how to use the GOP's new voter data banks.
Maryanne Kusaka, former mayor of Kauai, who is running against incumbent Democrat Sen. Gary Hooser on Kauai, said the data bank helps tell candidates who in a district has voted. The data bank also specifies which voters are likely to be receptive to the candidate's message.
About 700 delegates are expected at the convention, according to Brennon Morioka, GOP chairman. The meeting will include election of delegates to the party's national convention in New York City and adoption of a party platform.
Today, delegates will hear Lingle's address just before noon and attend an evening banquet keynoted by Rich Galen, a prominent GOP strategist and the Bush administration's point man for the media in Iraq during the past six months.