READERS RESPOND TO AKAKA-CASE DEBATE ON PBS HAWAI'I

HAWAI'I DOESN'T NEED 'REPUBLICAN LITE' CASE

As a lifelong Democrat, I want a real Democrat to represent my interests in the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Akaka is a real Democrat. His opponent is nuanced Republican Lite. Sen. Akaka has my vote.

CASE NOT THE CANDIDATE FOR TIME OF TRANSITION

The debate was pretty much what I expected: Akaka, fumbling to complete a coherent sentence even while reading directly from his script; Case, clearly a more skilled debater, though arrogant and somewhat robotic.

Here's where Case lost my vote: The most important issue facing America, the war in Iraq. I almost fell out of my chair when Case said things were going well and the Iraqi security forces should be able to handle their own security within a year.

Do you even watch the news, Ed? Wake up! At least Akaka had the courage to vote against the war when it was not politically correct to do so.

Maybe the advantage of age is he is free to vote his conscience, instead of what he thinks will get him elected.

I agree it's time for a change - but sorry Ed, you ain't the guy!

AKAKA IS NICE BUT IT IS NOW TIME FOR A CHANGE

Oregon lost its two very senior senators in 1995 and 1996. Their federal appropriations plummeted by more than 90 percent and have never recovered.

We now have our own two very senior senators. Sen. Akaka is a nice guy but we simply cannot afford to take the chance that our state follows the Oregon path.

We should thank and honor Sen. Akaka for his past service. But, it's time for a change, now!

CASE HAS THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE MESSAGE

For those who think Sen. Akaka is so wise, I suggest we bring him back to Hawai'i as an adviser to Ed Case, who has the ability to communicate the message to those in Washington, D.C.

I heard more "huh" (s) from Sen. Akaka, than the "yeah" (s) from the local teenagers at Wal-mart!

HAWAI'I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE AKAKA SENIORITY

Hawai'i would be at a great loss to lose Dan Akaka's seniority in the Senate.

Together with Sen. Inouye, Hawai'i has benefited greatly. We cannot lose our clout in the Senate, especially with the current administration.

CASE CAME ACROSS AS STRONG, CONFIDENT

I thought Rep. Case did a wonderful job explaining himself during last night's debate. He gave facts. He gave figures. He backed up his answers with data. He came across as a strong, confident, knowledgeable and vibrant candidate with a lot of aloha for the Islands.

I was quite disappointed by Sen. Akaka's performance. I see now why he didn't want to debate or take any questions from the opposing candidate. Akaka came off as nice person but also as someone who couldn't articulate his thoughts without constantly referring to his notes.

He seemed unable to finish his train of thoughts. There were a few moments his voice trailed off leaving the point he was trying to make hanging in the air. I was undecided before this debate but now I think I'm going to vote for Rep. Case. We need someone with his qualities representing Hawai'i in the Senate.

DEBATE SHOULD HAVE FOCUSED MORE ON WAR

While I think we owe AARP appreciation for sponsoring Thursday night's debate between our senatorial candidates, I was disappointed not to have more focus on the war, one of the major differences between the candidates.

I am looking to have a team in Congress who will challenge the president's "Go It Alone-Cowboy" approach to foreign affairs.

We simply do not have the resources to be "super cop" to the world.

Sen. Akaka opposed the war from the start and for this, I will be casting my vote for him come Sept. 23.

AKAKA EMBARRASSING, IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE

I cannot believe that Sen. Akaka was allowed to read entire passages from his notes.

He is an embarrassment to Hawai'i. It is time for a change.

AKAKA WAS CLEARLY LOST, DEPENDED ON HIS NOTES

I am absolutely flabbergasted that people actually believe Dan Akaka should represent Hawai'i for the next six years.

He was lost during the debate, couldn't answer a question without finding it in his notes, which his staff had prepared, and obviously is not prepared for the rigors of duty in the fast-paced Senate.

To actually vote for someone because he is a nice old guy is insane. Voters need to use more common sense and less emotion in making their choice.

If Akaka is elected, in six to eight years when Hawai'i has no senior representation in the Senate the federal money tree dries up for Hawai'i. You can bet that every other senator is waiting for that day.