Asterisk
By ddepledge
The Cook Political Report has U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka’s re-election chances for 2012 in the `solid’ Democratic category. But there is an asterisk next to Akaka’s name suggesting he is a potential retirement.
Akaka has not been actively raising money and has just $66,278 for his re-election, a potential warning sign but not unusual for the senator. He only had $82,565 at a similar point before his 2006 re-election campaign.
Akaka told KHON in April and the Star-Advertiser in October that he is running for re-election.
Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor at the Cook Political Report who tracks Senate and governor’s races, explained her thoughts on Akaka in an e-mail.
It seems to be Akaka’s modus operandi to avoid raising money entirely until he is up for re-election. It’s not an especially wise strategy. It’s part of why Case thought that beating him in a primary was even remotely possible. National Democrats, particularly his Senate colleagues, had to do a lot of the heavy lifting to help him raise money in 2006. They will certainly come to his aid again if he gets a serious challenge, but it could be a little more difficult this time because Democrats have 23 seats up and it is a presidential year.
If Akaka has said he’s running on the record, I hadn’t heard that. Democrats are usually quick to tell me such things. I’ll have to do some checking about how certain they are that he will run. There are lots of reasons for him to retire: age, the prospect of being in the minority next Congress, the rigors of travel, etc. I do know that (Former Gov. Linda) Lingle is giving the race serious consideration, but wanted a few months off first (she’s entitled). If she does run, I would likely to move the rating to Toss Up, but without a challenger, it just makes sense to have it in Solid.
Political Radar
February 1st, 2011 at 6:26 am
I dunno to what extent the national side had to bend over so back in funding Akaka’s campaign/support and such. We talking Akaka? He and Mr. Inouye could open a 5 cent per cup lemonade stand, use the proceeds to fund all campaign ads and STILL win. I mean, these guys do a great job for all of us and their own winning #s on election day show true support and crossing overs (all 5 Republican voter crossover vote, OH! A Grease kids!!!). You really waste your vote you don’t vote for these two distinguished gentlemen in the GENERAL election, as a brotha’ [i.e., Grease
] must needs clarify for some. 
.
As for Lingle running against Akaka. Uh. I mean seems like good fodder for Sunday night TV movie of the week fare where lady candidate underdog beats incumbent man in office long times. But, real life? Ditto. Don’t waste your vote.
Despite her doing the one thing a Grease thought he would never see ‘fore his grave, i.e., Republican elected to Hawaii gubernatorial seat [which was rendered in a GENERAL election for clarity's sake :}], I just don’t see her defeating Akaka to be obvious about it. Maybe so she can give a good showing running ‘gainst him each time against Akaka? Otherwise, she just going have to waits. And maybe some crossover and undecided votes that got her in for TWO terms might have their decision made NOT to vote for her for Senate if they, say, were affected by furlough or never like Hawaii’s interisland das boot or never like when she when veto, uh, what was that one thing she when veto? Forgets alreadies shrugs].
So, if you are, stop hating on Akaka, Cook Megapage Report-thingee-’ste, heh. Akaka need more respects, I mean, LOOK my spell check, going to each instance of “Akaka” asking if I like replace with “Alaska.” Palin-angle, too auwe.
February 1st, 2011 at 8:47 am
Sen. Akaka has said publicly that he is running for re-election. He did not raise funds in this last cycle as a courtesy to Sen. Inouye.
As for Linda Lingle, Jennifer Duffy, you should have been paying attention to her own party walking away from her during the last election. Her LG and the GOP Congressman both walked away from her. At the State of the State address before both houses of the State Legislature, Linda Lingle wore a bright red suit in an effort not be be ignored. It did not help. She is so incredibly irrelevant that no one could remember that she was in the chamber. I believe that Lingle will be trailing around after Sarah Palin, which will not sit well with Hawaii voters. Ed Case’s political people have put out the word that Ed is not running against Sen. Akaka.
Sen. Akaka controls the entire Defense construction budget, the entire Federal work force, all National parks and monuments (Volcanoes, Haleakala, Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, Papahanaumokuakea (Northwest Hawaiian Islands and waters surrounding them), just to name a few). He was recently made a part of the Senate leadership as well. All I can say is thank goodness Sen. Akaka is willing to serve another term! God bless him!
February 1st, 2011 at 11:26 am
Its time for Dan #2 to go.
February 5th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Sen Akaka is a kindly old gent, with a great singing voice, a distinguished appearance, a gracious manner, and a social wife who loves the trappings of senatorial life.
Sen Akaka lacks gravitas, has been demoted despite his seniority privilege, has required substantial, if not complete, staff support for functioning. as he descends into age related maladies and senility.
It is well past time for his departure from active politics and his replacement by a younger, more dynamic, eventual replacement for the “other” Dan.
Time passes for all, waits for no man, and our State deserves better than a placeholder.