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Lingle’s Legacy

May 17th, 2010
By B.J. Reyes

Toward the end of a news conference with Gov. Linda Lingle about the status of state taxpayers’ refunds, the issue of civil unions and HB444 was raised.

Lingle said she still was not close to making a decision on the bill, adding she continues to receive a broad range of opinion both for and against the bill.

A question was then raised about whether she felt the civil unions issue might be part of her legacy as governor.

Here’s what she had to say about it:



2 Responses to “Lingle’s Legacy”

  1. Kolea:
    May 18th, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    I find her remarks about Burn’s decision on the abortion bill to be interesting. There is no doubt Burn’s decision is well-remembered. In fact, it is often cited as an example of his personal integrity in able to differentiate between his private beliefs and his obligations as Governor of a religiously diverse state.

    Whatever decision Lingle makes on vetoing HB444, it will definitely be part of any short summary of her Governorship. If she let’s it pass, that will be commented on. If she vetoes it, that will be remembered.

    In many ways, it is illustrative of her evolution and central dilemma. She was elected as a moderate Republican and would NOT have been elected had she been seen as more conservative. But changes in the Republican Party and her ambitions for a future career in GOP politics, have diminished her ability to remain moderate. Having explicitly promised to not veto such a bill in 2002, if she vetoes it, it will be seen as a final capitulation to the right.

    If she sings it, she will blow her chances with the right as well as remove an issue Duke Aiona wants to use in his race to fire up the religious right. Letting the bill become law without her signature is probably the best balance she could strike, but it is more advantageous for her to break the promise she made and veto the bill. She has little integrity left anyways. Betraying the gay community is just another in a series of disappointments.


  2. Michael:
    June 9th, 2010 at 2:47 am

    Let the Fat Lady Sing. lingle cannot sing. she will do nothing. the bill has already been passed. who needs to sing it. Aloha ‘oe?


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