Hawaii’s governor stumps for McCain in Henderson

By Dave Clark

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 | 8:16 p.m.

Hawaiian music and hula dancers preceded Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle's Wednesday campaign appearance for Republican presidential candidate John McCain at the Henderson Events Plaza.

When Lingle arrived on stage, greeting the crowd of about 55 with a long "A-lo-ha," audience members nearest the stage offered her leis.

Hawaiian-born Tieri Paahana Bissen said she was impressed the governor was campaigning across the mainland for the McCain ticket.

"I really like the governor coming out here," she said.

During her stump speech, Lingle repeatedly portrayed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as an unknown quantity, while praising McCain as a familiar hero. She predicted voters would side with McCain once they entered the voting booth.

"Do I want to put the future security of America in the hands of a hero or put it in the hands of someone I hardly know?" Lingle asked.

Lingle also attacked what she said was Obama's lack of bipartisan accomplishment, while listing legislation where McCain had worked with Democrats.

"He has a record of bipartisan solutions," Lingle said. "In every state, the majority of people don't see themselves as Democrats or Republicans."

She closed by urging the crowd to put off cleaning the garage or making appointments.

"This election is going to be won by volunteers," Lingle said. "We need to be fully engaged in the next 20 days."

That message resonated with Dick and Jo Takahashi, who moved to Nevada from Hawaii 22 years ago.

"She's really inspired people to be walking around their neighborhood," Dick Takahashi said.

Explaining her support for McCain, Jo Takahashi said she did not trust Obama to handle a crisis.

Bissen said she considered the McCain-Palin ticket sensitive to Hawaiian native rights, citing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's work with that state's Native American population. Yet despite her support for McCain, she lauded Obama's background as well, which she said was influenced by the state's cultural values.

"We love the idea that Obama is considered a native son," Bissen said.

While Jo Takahashi called the crowd enthusiastic, Dick Takahashi said he was disappointed the event was not better advertised to the local Hawaiian community.

"I found out about it on the Internet," he said.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].