This is a mid-year update and there is a lot of good news.  Reporting since before the 2010 primary elections, I stay with this format, not a for-public blog, aimed at Republicans and conservatives.  I encourage others to write, discuss and debate issues, policy and candidates.  Be involved, get involved.  Our Tea Party blogs are the most active and informative.  We don’t have to agree with each other but we should be as informed as possible to decide for ourselves.  Feel free to forward this email, discussion is good.  We need the most informed coalition that we can build before the 2012 elections.  Previous reports are listed at the bottom.

I hope that you had a safe and family-filled Independence Day weekend.

Finishing with convention.  Several members mentioned not seeing a statement or press release, as is the norm, about our state convention.  Depledge did as thorough a job as he had column space and Civil Beat had coverage.  With only 180 members attending (not bad for recent conventions) not many members knew of the event.

The kudo’s on expenses still hold.  We did not end up netting, as promised, a $10,000 windfall from sponsors, though we came close to breaking even after staff hotel, airfare and expenses were considered.  Breaking even is good.  While in the black in ’08 and ’09, in ’07 we were $30k in the red!

Aloha Friends,

Happy Independence Day weekend.  For freedom lover’s, July 4th is an especially important day.  With pride in America demonstrated nationwide, I choose this time to forward an appeal for a special “Proud to be an American” event.

A brief background:  You know from my series of political reports that HRP is “funding challenged” so a group of us initiated a Capital Campaign to ensure that we don’t lose our Kapiolani Blvd headquarters either through forced sale or foreclosure.  Our steering committee had a successful first month of operations having raised/received pledges for more than $58,000 of the seven-year $198,000 mortgage.  All the funds raised for the capital campaign are used specifically to pay off the mortgage and NOT used for HRP routine operations.

This report is focused more on local, our convention, than national.  I began reporting as a prelude to the 2010 primary elections.  With all the good since the elections, I decided that while looking forward I would get caught up.  Not a public blog, this email is to Republicans and conservatives.  Feel free to forward this email, allow other to decide for themselves.  Discussion is good.  We’ll need the most informed coalition of right, center-right and center that we can build before the 2012 elections.  Previous reports are listed at the bottom.  Remember, it is not about the people, it is about the politics.

You call that fun?  I had a lot of fun at our State Convention.  If you haven’t been recently, come next year.  What we accomplished:

Bright and shiny.  Chang and Fukumoto were elected state vice chair for Coalitions and Coordinated Campaigns, respectively.  Having never served at the political party state- or county-level, both have the talent to be good party officers.  I assume they will not run for office in 2012 as we expect party officers to focus on the party.  Ward’s selection as Candidate Recruitment and Training indicates that the HRP Strategic Plan (I am told we will have one this cycle) will give priority to the state house, not the senate, local or national candidates.  Coluccio was Secretary and is now Vice for Community Service.  Makanani is Secretary.  If Makanani’s convention antics are what we’ve come to expect from our officers, Chang’s maturity and intelligence will greatly exceed our expectations.  Don’t know Dorn but she comes recommended by a communicator you know (Heck).  Dorn’s speech was strangely moderate in the room Kaauwai put together.

FYI.  Couple of things occurred.

In particular for those of you involved in CC or the property:  Below is a reso which Kaauwai sent through the (Resolution and) Platform Cmte this morning.  I used this copy to include Murphy’s comments, which may reflect some HRP member’s thoughts.  While this is a Rules year, reso’s are considered each year.

This is one of many reso’s which include defense of marriage, 1st amendment to protect practice of religion, 2d amendment to protect (really, really patriotic) gun rights, right to life, protection for anti-abortion medical providers, opposition to rail, support of victim’s rights…. and many more.  If you are interested in seeing any other these others, let me know.

Caught your breath?  I needed a break after the elections.  This report is a little of everything.  A definite conservative flavor, liberals and “moderates” may chose to delete before reading.  You can forward this to other conservatives so they don’t feel alone in our Hawaii wilderness.  Previous reports are listed at the bottom.  Remember, it is not about the people, it is about the politics.

January RNC chair election.  Many hope RNC elects a politically savvy conservative who is able to connect with donors, understands how to work with conservative coalitions and can embrace the tea party movement, and has exceptional management qualities.  Or, Steele will be reelected.  RNCC (Google it, they’re friends) is working with Freedom Works to host candidate interviews at Heritage Foundation in early December.

Has it been only one week since those great returns flowed in across America and morphed into an evening with that sinking feeling in my stomach?

Let’s wrap this election. This is another report that will sit easier with conservatives than others. We already discussed some and we can’t cover every facet. Previous reports are listed at the bottom.  Feel free to share with other conservatives.

Rehash: We kicked butt on the mainland and got our butt’s kicked here. If you see it differently, write.

We worked hard. I am joyous about our national sweep. I am excited about our local legislators. Some have slapped a smiley face on our effort. We don’t want to hurt feelings.   Let’s be pleased.

Congratulations and thank you to Aiona, Finnegan, Djou, our candidates, their families, teams and supporters.  Campaigns are fun, serious, work.  We’re supposed to learn from a loss but then we’d be pretty smart by now.

This is the state/local portion of the election report. National was rushed out yesterday. Several folks sent me highlights from their races, strengths and weaknesses of HRP and campaigns. Next up is What We Learned. Feel free to send me your lessons or be subject to my sole subjectivity. Previous reports are listed at the bottom.

For everything fun in yesterday’s national report, this isn’t. When the top-of-ticket goes -17, things go wrong. When HRP monies are spent on staff and BBQs and then focused only on top-of-ticket races, things go south. When 30% of your candidates don’t campaign, when you can’t attract outside help, when you can’t raise money and attract volunteers, then it’s not good.

Good morning, America!

What a day. What a week. What a year. Or, two. I’ll cover national in this one (happy thoughts) and state in the next (need time to put on my smiley face). Hoped they’d all be decided but there are still a couple not yet called. As opposed to my earlier reports, this has an R focus than conservative. Previous reports are listed at the bottom.

Not much bad, weak or ugly. I remember ’08. It is interesting how well I can recall getting my butt kicked. This year, was a better experience.

With so many close races, there will be changes before Tuesday.  It is the best time of the year (for wonks) and campaigners will miss it come Wednesday………except for recounts.  We make new friends during a campaign, many relationships which continue for years.  I hope you gained new experiences and friends this cycle.

As a part of one end-of-cycle report, I sent Part 1 on Monday focused mostly on national and top-of-ticket state races.  I give a necessary update in this report.  Thursday night, a long Part 2 went out focusing on state races and Campaign 101 things behind the scenes.  You’re deep into the campaign with your conservative or R candidate and this is information you may not have time to chase down.  I list the previous reports at the bottom.  Feel free to share these reports with other conservatives who may believe that they are alone in liberal Hawaii.

Unreal.  So much happening that I now split Part 2.  I’ll use a Subject line a little more innovative than “Part 3.”  Data today, HRP and my predictions tomorrow.

There were too many notes for one post so I sent Part 1 on Monday focused on national and top-of-ticket state races.  In three days since, the national scene has changed (most in our favor). Locally, we’re a little more down but still with margin of error.  Part 2 focuses on state races, mostly.  This is a summary of information that you couldn’t get while you concentrated on helping your conservative or R candidate.   I list the previous reports at the bottom.  No secrets, feel free to share this with other conservatives and tea people.

Scant days to go.  Races are tight.  Candidates’ are trying to not make a mistake and not be distracted.  Everyone must pull, regardless of your race, or everyone loses.