Abercrombie picks Schatz to replace Inouye in U.S. Senate

[mahina]

www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/184808421.html?id=184808421

The governor's choice is a rejection of the senator's 'last wish' to have Hanabusa replace him

Derrick DePledge
Gov. Neil Abercrombie today selected Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in the Senate.

Schatz, 40, said he will fly to Washington tonight and be sworn in Thursday so he can participate in Senate votes to avert a fiscal cliff of federal tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to take effect in January. A White House news pool report said Schatz will fly to Washington on Air Force One with President Barack Obama, who is cutting his annual Oahu vacation short to work on the "fiscal cliff" and other issues when Congress returns Thursday.

Schatz said he is "humbled" and "honored" by the opportunity. He said the first thing he would do is reach out to the rest of the delegation to establish Hawaii's game plan for the coming Congress.

Schatz said he would also reach out to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and to the White House on the pressing issues now before Congress. "I am honored to serve in this capacity. ... If given the opportunity, I'll make Hawaii proud," Schatz said.


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We lucked out on this one. I know people feel we should have honored Inouye's instructions but it would have left us much weaker, and Brian is a strong, independant, serious person. I think he was the best person for the job of the three that the State Central Committee of the Democratic party handed to Neil.

Aloha Brian, good luck man, thank you for serving.

[NYC_SKP]

1. It seems reasonable to me that one's power ends with one's last breath.

RIP, Senator Dan.

Long live the new Senator, may he serve the state and the union respectfully!

[msongs]

2. nice to have at least one truly progressive democrat from hawaii nt

[mahina]

5. I agree!

Mazie is pretty progressive, but I think Brian is even moreso.

[Cha]

3. I like Brian Schatz! He, his wife, Linda, and VP Biden were

on the front page of the Garden Island today, as he was Sworn in as our Senator Designate.

And, Gov Abercombie chose Shan Tsusui as our new Lt Gov, from Maui! He's Beaming in the pic at the link, which includes his Creds.

http://mauinow.com/2012/12/27/breaking-tstutsui-named-new-lt-governor-of-hawaii/

Thanks mahina~

[mahina]

7. Me too.

mahalo Cha!

[Cha]

8. Happy New Year2013, mahina!

[ellisonz]

4. Although I would have preferred a place holder...

...I agree that picking Hanabusa thus precipitating a special election was not in the best interest of Hawaii.

I have mixed thoughts on Schatz, he seems sincere, but he also has struck me in the past as an opportunist.

He better bring home the bacon.

[mahina]

6. I trust him very much.

When I supported Gary Hooser for LG Brian was very gracious about it. I supported Gary in part because he announced first but also because he's always stood with me, and I felt I owed it to him, though a statewide race for a neighbor island based person was a longshot.

In the way he treated me when he knew I had not supported him, he gained my trust. He is a good man.

It's up to us to keep progressive issues on his radar.

[ellisonz]

9. I've been a big Hooser supporter in the past too.

I'm ready to give him a fair shake.

Happy New Year BTW