Absentee candidates court isle Democrats

[La_Serpiente]

Absentee candidates court isle Democrats

HAWAII Democrats will have an opportunity to choose in caucuses on Tuesday between two capable candidates for the presidency. However, they are not the two candidates that were favored by Hawaii's U.S. House members or by the national parent of the state's most powerful labor organizations.

The good news for isle Democrats is that they will be part of the decision-making process. Unfortunately, the two candidates from whom they will choose are focusing on the following week's Super Tuesday and won't be in the islands to court their support.

The Hawaii caucuses will choose 13 delegates to the national convention in Boston. Seven others committed to candidates on the first ballot will be selected by the state convention in May. The remaining nine uncommitted delegates will consist of the congressional delegation and party leaders.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie threw his early support to former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, as did the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the parent union of the United Public Workers and Hawaii Government Employees Association. Dean abandoned his candidacy last week but did not release his delegates and urged his followers to maintain their support.

more...

Absentee candidates court isle Democrats

[oasis]

1. John Kerry in a likely cakewalk. No big crowds expected here.