Lingle heads for
GOP convention
as chairwoman

The governor echoes President Bush's
feelings of respect for Kerry's war record

In protest over the Vietnam War in 1972, Gov. Linda Lingle, then a college student in California, voted for George McGovern, the Democratic candidate for president.

Republican Lingle said her vote for a Democrat was "because of the war." The protest vote was not enough as President Richard M. Nixon won re-election and McGovern won only one state, Massachusetts.

Today, Lingle leaves Honolulu to go to the GOP National Convention that starts Monday in New York, where she will serve as temporary convention chairwoman. She is also chairwoman of the Hawaii campaign to re-elect President Bush.

In an interview yesterday, Lingle said the current national debate over Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry's Vietnam War experiences should not be part of the presidential campaign.

"I said from the very beginning, he is a hero, and I don't think anyone should try to take that away from him," Lingle said.

But Lingle added that now Kerry should be judged on his record as a senator and his ability to lead.

"I respect anyone who served their country in a war and put their life on the line. How he conducted himself after he came back is not the way I would have conducted myself necessarily, but I don't think anyone should take from his service," Lingle said.

A national presidential campaign ad sponsored by a group of Vietnam veterans who did not serve directly under Kerry asserted his wartime injuries and combat actions had been exaggerated and that he did not deserve his Purple Hearts or Bronze and Silver Stars.

President Bush said yesterday Kerry "served admirably, and he ought to be proud of his record."

Lingle, who will also lead the Hawaii delegation to the national convention, said the party will host a reception for New York politicians and dignitaries with Hawaii connections Saturday at the New York Marriott Financial Center hotel where they are staying.

The hotel features a Roy's Restaurant, which was first started by Hawaii chef Roy Yamaguchi.

"We have invited the governors of all the states and the ambassadors of countries that have a large population in Hawaii -- Japan, Philippines, China, Korea and Australia," Lingle said.

Besides leading the delegation and assisting with duties on the convention podium, Lingle also has been asked to speak to other state delegations during the convention.

Lingle is leaving early for the East Coast to be the guest of honor at a keel-laying ceremony on Friday for the USS Hawaii, a nuclear attack submarine, at General Dynamics Electric Boat's facility in North Kingston, R.I.

As the sub's sponsor, Lingle will inscribe her initials on the keel.