Schatz vs. Hanabusa statements on Syria...

[dkf]

Last edited Thu Sep 5, 2013, 08:32 PM - Edit history (1)

Schatz gives Obama the most wiggle room in what he should do.

"The people of Hawaii and I have confidence in President Obama's decisions as our commander-in-chief," said Schatz.

He added that Obama should consult with Congress without specifying a need for congressional approval.

"I will continue to remain in close touch with the Obama administration as the president determines the best course of action, in consultation with Congress," Schatz said in an emailed response to my inquiry Thursday.

Hanabusa flatly disagreed that Obama should act alone.

"As it stands now, U.S. military involvement in Syria lacks a solid legal basis, a clear long-term strategy, and vital international and domestic approval," Hanabusa said in response to an emailed request for comment.

"Though intelligence has been presented by the Obama administration, I am not convinced that it serves the purpose of justifying military force or other intervention in Syria. This is an issue that deserves a rigorous and transparent debate about its ends and its means," Hanabusa said.

Although Hanabusa also called for "congressional consultation," she urged the president to "await a full review of evidence presented by the UN before considering action in Syria."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorialspremium/20130901_Lets_see_how_Hanabusa_Schatz_beat_Syria_war_drum.html?id=221885651&c=n

I was disappointed in Schatz, then I remembered he rode his path thanks to Obama, and was part of the Obama campaign.

Edit: Schatz voting "no"! Yay.

@politico: Joe Manchin, Brian Schatz both ‘no’ on Syria resolution http://t.co/lPKtbVMI4v

[Tx4obama]

1. I remember when Senator Inouye died I read Hanabusa's wiki bio and it didn't look good

-snip-

Controversies

When in the State Legislature, Hanabusa introduced a bill to offer tax credits of up to $75 million for development at Ko Olina Resort, a move she declared necessary to spur development for the Leeward area but which others saw as a reward for a close associate and political backer, Ko Olina developer Jeff Stone. In 2002 Hanabusa emerged as the leading advocate for legislation authorizing $75 million in tax credits for Stone's Ko Olina resort. When Governor Ben Cayetano vetoed the tax credit bill, Hanabusa took the unprecedented step of suing to overturn the veto.[15][16]

Within months, Hanabusa's then-fiancé John Souza received a preferential deal in purchasing one of Stone's homes in Ko Olina. In February 2005, less than two years after Souza bought the home, he sold it for a $421,000 profit, according to real estate records. Souza and Hanabusa, who were engaged at the time and married in 2008, then bought a $1 million home in another Ko Olina subdivision developed by Centex Homes of Texas.[17]

The Ko Olina tax-credit legislation, intended to promote development of a “world-class” aquarium at the resort, expired after plans for the aquarium were abandoned. Ko Olina Resort eventually returned the tax credit, but the Lingle Administration and Hanabusa disagreed on how to use the returned funds.[18]

While in Congress, Hanabusa was called a "loan shark" by the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington for abusing her position to pay herself excessive interest payments to settling her campaign debt. Hanabusa's spokesperson stated these interest payments were merely repayment of a bank loan.[19]

-snip-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colleen_Hanabusa#Controversies

[Tx4obama]

2. He rode his path thanks to Obama? Huh? Do you mean as Lieutenant Governor?

Schatz was 'appointed' to The U.S. House when Inoyou died.

Schatz bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Schatz

[dkf]

3. No...Schatz emerged from the pack thanks to Obama's election.

He was an early supporter, then the Obama campaign spokesperson in Hawaii. After that success, he ran for the Democratic Chair which paved statewide recognition.

You have to understand that the only game in town used to be Dan Inouye, who brought back $$$, so much so we were really nervous what would happen if he passed. It was his idea that we needed a Hawaiian Governor that got John Waihee elected several govs ago.

But along came Obama who was born here, but had no real political history here. His win inspired Abercrombie, our longtime Rep and a friend of Obama's parents years back, to run for Governor. At the same time Schatz ran for Lt Gov.

When Inouye passed, he specifically asked that Abercrombie pick Hanabusa to succeed him. Abercrombie instead picked Schatz which was a real shocker at the time.

Now Hanabusa is challenging Schatz for the Senate seat.

Schatz is great on civil liberties and the environment. Hanabusa is a labor union attorney so she generally gets great union support. I thought Hanabusa would be more of a hawk but it appears Schatz's loyalties may come first.

What a dilemma. I was ready to campaign for him too.

[Tx4obama]

4. Okay, thanks for the info. BUT ...

Doesn't the Hanabusa financial controversies bother folks in Hawaii?

I followed the events when Senator Inoyou died, and heard that he had requested Hanabusa to replace him, but I had read about the Hanabusa controversy back then, and so when Schatz was picked I had thought at the time that he was probably the better choice - just what I thought due to what I had read.

Basically that is all I had known and all that I had thought at the time.

p.s. I always liked Senator Inoyou and Senator Akaka - it is said that they are both no longer in the senate


It is also very sad that Hawaii and the world lost IZ

&feature=share&list=RD29C9b3_1CcXtY

[dkf]

5. Looking back at the primaries I have no idea who her D opponent was.

She basically ran uncontested, then against a really lightweight Rep.

So no options anyway.