Abortion Policy (Wikipedia)

          Wikipedia Entry:

         Hirono's voting history on abortion policies in the US House of Representatives is congruent with her reputation as a far-left Democrat(2).
         Hirono co-sponsored and signed the Preventions First Act of 2007.  This act was aimed towards increasing public access to contraception, as well as increasing government funding to support the use of contraception (1One the issues).  The act takes a pro-active stance on birth control, with an emphasis on informing and protecting women from unintended pregnancy (1on the issues).
         On May 4, 2011, Mazie Hirono voted against the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would have prohibited federal health care program from covering abortion costs, with exceptions being given to life-threatening cases (1On the issues).  The NTFA Act was highly controversial and pertinent to the futur of American health care, as its outcome would create policies that conflicted with the coverage of the President's proposed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public).
         In July of 2011, Hirono continued to show her support for contraceptives by signing the Access to Birth Control Act, which mandates that pharmacies provide birth control to customers without undue delay(1 onthe issues).  The ABP Act also ensures that customers seeking birth control can obtain without being submitted to unwanted harassment or breaches in patient confidentiality(1 On the issues).
       Emily's list, a Democratic pro-choice action committee, has pledged support to Hirono for her history of supporting of contraceptive and abortion policies during her term in the US house of Representatives (On the issues). The endorsement of Emily's list helped Hirono in her 2012 Senatorial race, having contributed $129,714 to her campaign.

"Mazie Hirono on Abortion." On the Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Mazie_Hirono_Abortion.htm>.

"Mazie Hirono on the Issues." On the Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Mazie_Hirono.htm>.

"Mazie K. Hirono." Hirono: Campaign Finance/Money. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00028139>. 

"PUBLIC LAW 111–148—MAR. 23, 2010." Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. N.p., n.d.

Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW- 

111publ148.pdf>.

Who Won What Where and Why?

          On November the 6th Mazie Hirono became the first Asian-born senator in America.  Mazie Hirono defeated the GOP candidate Linda Lingle 62.6% to 37.4%, by a margin of 107 thousand votes (2012 Presidential Election).  But what propelled Mazie to her substantial lead and victory?
          It is difficult to pinpoint why Mazie Hirono was so successful as a candidate.  Many aspects of her personality and her stance on prominent issues make her and appealing choice for the Senate.  It is my hypothesis that a combination of several smaller factors created the correct political climate that enabled Mazie Hirono to win her seat in the Senate.
         I believe that Hawaii being the home state of current President Barrack Obama was a powerful and positive influence that supported Mazie Hirono's campaign (Barack Obama Biography). The President's ties back to his home state motivated voters and aroused waves of Democratic sentiments;  the waves that Hirono rode to victory.  Like the President, Hirono is an advocate of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and places a high priority on issues of education (Mazie Hirono on the Issues).  Their agreement on issues such as these allows Hawaiians to channel their enthusiasm for Barrack Obama into his Hawaiian Senatorial candidate counterpart.
        Another important link Mazie Hirono shares with President Obama is that both she and he are visible minorities.  This visible connection between Hirono and Obama can only strengthen their inherent association,  and by extension aid the propagation of her campaign to Democrats already supporting Obama.  These supporters recognized the similarities, and likely lent their support to Hirono on the day of the election.  Although, this association may have influenced Democrats or those leaning Democrat to cast their ballot for Hirono, it is doubtful the presidential correlation had a positive voting influence on more right-wing Hawaiians.
         I do not think the influence of Mazie Hirono's ethnic origin ends with just a coincidental presidential correlation. The interplay of Mazie Hirono's ethnic origins and the demographic of Hawaii also came into play when determining the outcome of this election.  Hawaii's population is comprised of 38% asian citizens, a sleeping giant akin to latino populations in other states (Enloe and Seager 108)(US Census Bureau).  These Asians-Americans are the majority ethnic group in Hawaii, which gives them much power in determining the which political agents they are going to elect to represent them.  No one was better suited for representing the interests Asian-American Hawaiians than Mazie Hirono, who bore the potential of being the first Asian-American Senator.
        Due to this ethnic bias, I believe Mazie Hirono was able to clinch the votes of those who were more focused on candidate characteristics than their political platforms.  This ethnic trend of voting is correlated ideas of candidate centered voting, and in the case of Hawaii's visible majority it is a short-term strategy that holds the power to decide the outcome of an election (Berry et. al 226).  These ethnic similarities coupled with Hirono's presidential correlation were key components in securing her victory against Lingle.






"2012 Presidential Election." POLITICO. N.p., 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/>.

"Barack Obama Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 9 Nov. 2012. Web.

<http://www.biography.com/people/barack-obama-12782369>.

Berry, Jeffrey, Kenneth M. Janda, Jerry Goldman, and Kevin W. Hula. The Challenge of Democracy.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Print.

Enloe, Cynthia H., and Joni Seager. The Real State of America Atlas: Mapping the Myths and Truths

of the United States. New York, NY: Penguin, 2011. Print.

"Hawaii US Census Bureau." USA Census Bureau. N.p., 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012.

<http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html>.

"Mazie Hirono on the Issues." On the Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Mazie_Hirono.htm>.

Whose Side Are You on Anyway?

          It is not be uncommon for a Democrat Senate candidate to receive endorsements from other Democrats.  However, it is not only Hirono's fellow Democrats who are wholeheartedly endorsing her campaign, but Republican candidates and congressmen are rallying behind her cause as well (Garcia). Hirono's support across partisan lines was shocking, and will prove useful for the Hawaii candidate as the election draws nearer.
         John Carroll, Linda Lingle's former opponent in the Hawaiian Republican Primary Election, kissed Hirono on the cheek and offered her a few kind words (Garcia).  Carroll continued his endorsment of Hirono by publicly saying that "(Hirono is) the only option for Senate in my book right now"(qtd. in Garcia).  Though these comments may have been sincere,  Lingle's campaign could justify them being a bitter attempt to get even with Lingle after having been defeated by her in the primary election.  Regardless of what Carroll's words are construed to mean, his actions initiated a quick backlash from the Lingle's campaign.  Lingle's campaign spokesperson retaliated, stating that the endorsement Carrol made "[doesn't] mean a hill of beans"(qtd. Garcia).
        On what grounds can the Lingle campaign be so dismissive of their fellow party member's opinion?  The decline of partisanship in America is bears some of the responsibility (Berry et. al 226).  As more voters and even more candidates are beginning to lose their fierce partisan loyalty, it becomes easier to disagree with the party that candidate belongs to (Berry et. al 226).  Because of this shift in how candidates perceive themselves and their role in parties, political barriers that previously preventing this kind of criticism are being knocked down.  Lingle 's mockery of Carrol is an example of how his weak Republican identification lead to the endorsement of an opponent and then his ridicule at the hands of a fellow Republican.
        Weakening party identification is also a driving force in Hirono's second Republican endorsement, this one from Alaskan Congressman Don Young (Responds to Attack Ads).  The advertisement highlights Hirono's past bi-partisan accomplishments, and her ability to work with Republicans and achieve results.  Don Young fully endorses Hirono as the Senator Hawaii needs, although maybe not the one it deserves.
          Don Young's endorsement will be difficult for Lingle's campaign to ignore. Young is a reputable and conservative Congressman his home state of Alaska, a Republican stronghold that has only conceded once to a Democrat presidential candidate (Alaska 270 to win).  Young's status as a Republican politician will make dismissing his endorsement a difficult task for Lingle.
           Young's cross-partisan endorsement is yet another example of the weakening of partisan alignment in America.  Weaker partisan ties have lead to the current political social context in which Young  is able to speak freely in favor of Hirono, without fearing retribution from his fellow Republicans. Yet this weakening in partisan alignment also gives more leeway for other Republicans, such as Lingle, to disassociate with Young if they do not agree with the ideas he is espousing.  Such disassociation might be instrumental for Lingle if she wishes to recover from Hirono's very successful advertisement.

"Alaska 270 to Win." Alaska Presidential Election Voting History. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.270towin.com/states/Alaska>.

Berry, Jeffrey, Kenneth M. Janda, Jerry Goldman, and Kevin W. Hula. The Challenge of Democracy.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Print.

Garcia, Oskar. "Hirono Endorsed by Lingle's GOP Primary Opponent." Washington Examiner. N.p.,

24 Aug. 2012. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. <http://washingtonexaminer.com/hirono-endorsed-by- 

lingles-gop-primary-opponent/article/feed/2027395>.

"Responds to Attack Ads." Mazie Hirono Videos : Firstpost Topic. N.p., 3 Nov. 2012. Web.

<http://www.firstpost.com/topic/person/mazie-hirono-barack-obama-responds-to-attack- 

ads-video-CtSk3nwhdzY-62233-1.html>.