Why can't Democrats learn how to fight for anything? Recently, the Hawaiian Senate passed a civil union bill by a margin of 18-7. The measure now moves to the State House where the Democrats outnumber Republicans 45-6 and passage is almost certainly guaranteed. However, the House Speaker Democrat Calvin Say says he may not even bring it up for a vote because he may not have the votes to override an anticipated veto by Republican Governor Linda Lingle.

House Speaker Calvin Say said the Democratic caucus would meet Monday to discuss options regarding the civil unions bill, adding that he was uncertain of what would happen.

But Say said he would only proceed if the House had the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto by the governor.

"My personal recommendation is that if we do have the two-thirds, I would consider it," said Say (D, Palolo Valley-St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Rise). "Because I don't want to go through the exercise of not having the two-thirds and she vetoes, and then it comes back to us to override, and I don't have the votes to override."

Thirty-four of 51 House members would be needed to override a veto. The House passed its version of the bill last year by a vote of 33-17 with one member absent. The Senate's vote was one more than what is needed for a two-thirds majority.

This is the same lame attitude that Democrats exhibit in Congress. Say should take the vote and let Lingle veto it. Make her go on record as being the bad guy. Don't back away from a fight before you even engage it. Man, all the Republicans ever have to do is threaten a veto or a filibuster and the Democrats instantly go running off as cowards. No wonder they are losing respect. Even if Democrats control an overwhelming majority of a legislative body, all you have to say is "boo" and they give up. 

Here is his contact info if you want to urge him to do the right thing:

Calvin K.Y. Say

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20th Representative District
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 431
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-6100; fax 808-586-6101
e-mail repsay@Capitol.hawaii.gov