As I was logging off my computer late last night, I happen to stumble upon a bunch of congratulatory tweets to Rep.-Elect Charles Djou whom won a special election to replace frm. Rep. Neil Ambercrombie who is seeking to win the Governorship for the Democratic party.

What was different about this special election compared to the previous 7 congressional elections, was that the Republican candidate won. Tweets ranging from local Iowans congratulating Charles Djou like Don Mcdowell to national republicans like former Governor Sarah Palin.

Many republicans already are touting a victory and defeat for President Obama after all, neil abercrombie had been life-long friends with Pres. Obama and this was the district in which he was born in.

 I had to look up the reasons why we failed to win this election. There is now way that Charles Djou defeated the democrat in a fair race unless there was some special circumstances. The republican party in Hawaii is as insignificant as the Libertarian/Green party in this country. Charles is now only the 3rd republican to hold high office in that state since statehood.

 

As I was logging off my computer late last night, I happen to stumble upon a bunch of congratulatory tweets to Rep.-Elect Charles Djou whom won a special election to replace frm. Rep. Neil Ambercrombie who is seeking to win the Governorship.

What was different about this special election compared to the previous 7 congressional elections, is that the Republican candidate won. Tweets ranging from local Iowans congratulating Charles Djou like Don Mcdowell to national republicans like former Governor Sarah Palin.

Many Republicans already are touting a victory and defeat for President Obama. After all, Neil Abercrombie had been life-long friends with Pres. Obama and this was the district in which he was born in.

 I had to look up the reasons why we failed to win this election. There is now way that Charles Djou defeated the Democrat in a fair race unless there was some special circumstances. The Republican party in Hawaii is as insignificant as the Libertarian/Green party in this country (sorry guys, but you are). Charles is now only the 3rd Republican to hold high office in Hawaii since statehood.

It only took all of two seconds to realize that Charles Djou though the victor as the sole person with the most vote, achieved victory only because the two main Democrats running for the position, split the Democratic vote.

Results from the Hawaii office of elections shows us the complete breakdown

(R) DJOU, Charles 67,610 39.4%

(D) HANABUSA, Colleen 52,802 30.8%

(D) CASE, Ed 47,391 27.6%

Turnout was high in this race (50.4%) for this special election and a total of 171,417 votes were cast. Hanabusa and Case the Democrats received a total of 100,193 or 58% of the vote in the meantime Djou as you can barely got to 40% 

Though this was the first Special Election for a congressional district that Democrats have lost (7 wins in a row). There is no excuse that this should of happened. IN a year in which Republicans smell blood, with the economy still not having improved in the minds of Americans, with the President having approval numbers in the low 50's. And an enthusiastic Conservative base, there is no reason in which we should allow for “victories” like these to occur to republicans. I'm all about giving people a choice in voting, but the circumstances this year is all about perception. If  the Republicans are able to push the agenda that Dems leadership has failed and Obama's agenda will be held “accountable” to the likes of Tea Partiers. A win in the state which President Obama was born, a symbolic win to raise the morale of Republicans, can't continue.

I can see Republicans beginning to jump up and down with glee over this win. Sure nobody cares about the real numbers that the Republican candidate was elected with only 39% but nobody will pay attention to that. Only thing they will hear is this:                                               “1st republican to hold seat in 20 years, Republican wins in Obama's birthplace, The Agenda is on the ropes and the people are turning to Republican leadership.”

If there is any consolation there will be ONE Democratic candidate running against Rep. Djou in November. This is a seat that will come back to the Democratic column, though it should never have been lost in the first place.

If I'm the Democratic National Party, I send out a country wide memo to all state parties: Do not let Hawaii happen again, Do not let our candidates split the vote and let Republicans pick up easy wins like these. Have a primary, chose a candidate at your state convention. Find a way to get your ducks in order. WE can't afford to give Republicans “morale boosting” victories like these.

Next time you hear a Republican jump up and down with joy over this seat in Hawaii….Just let them see the numbers. It was just party error, that will be fixed come november.