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Greetings from Guam 'He knows nothing and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.' - George Bernard Shaw (18561950), Anglo-Irish playwright, critic. Well, here we go again, the political season is now officially upon us. The Iowans have spoken, and now they can get back to whatever it is they do in Iowa, and rest up for four years before the next caucus. The rest of us though, we have to sit through nine more months of political jabberwokky until George Bush Jr. takes over. Let me start by getting all you mainlanders up to speed on our political participation and representation on the national level. First of all, we have one non-voting delegate in Congress (in the House) - Representative Robert Underwood. Though he cannot vote on the floor of the House, he sits on various committees and can vote in committee. Not great, but I suppose it could be worse. Secondly, we the American citizens of Guam, cannot vote in presidential elections. I think it's a territorial status thing. Regardless, it is not right. Now considering our lack of political inclusion in national elections, and our lack of full and equal representation in Congress, many of you statesiders would think that most of us here on Guam would be pretty apathetic with the presidential election season. Well, maybe you're right. I have no idea. But I do know that we were all on pins and needles awaiting the electrifying results of Iowa Caucuses. Actually though, I learned something interesting today in our local paper, the Pacific Daily News (PDN), regarding Guam's active and influential role at the national conventions of both the Republican and Democratic parties. On the Republican side, Guam will send four delegates and four alternates to the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, PA., from July 31 to August 2. The Republicans on Guam will select their delegates and alternates at a convention in February (based on delegates selected by the leaders of the 19 voting precincts, of which the four delegates and four alternates will be chosen). Once at the Republican National Convention, Guam's delegates will team up with the delegates from the other insular areas - Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, and vote as a bloc (the Republican Island Caucus) for one candidate. Voting as a bloc gives the Republican Island Caucus a total of 26 votes, which is more than 17 other states. HA! Take that, Iowa! And according to Guam's Republican Party Chairman, Fred Castro, the Republican Island Caucus has already agreed to cast their 26 votes for George W. Bush. On the Democratic side of the isle, the local Dems will send 12 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, CA, from August 14 to the 17. But each delegate has a half vote for a total of six votes, and the votes could be split between two presidential candidates. The local Democrats do not hold a convention like their Republican brethren to select their delegates; six of the delegate positions go to elected party officials (Governor Gutierrez and Congressman Underwood), while the other six delegates will be elected by island Democrats (on March 18). As a Republican (not that I follow party lines, I did vote for our current Governor who is a savvy politician and I think Congressman Robert Underwood fights as hard for his people as anyone in Congress), I definitely like the way the local Republican delegates align themselves with the other insular area delegates, to give us more bang for our buck at the National Convention. Not that it is going to make a difference one way or another, George W. is going to walk into the Oval Office. I like Bush more than any other candidate, and think he will do a great job, but I want him to be our next president more so from a historical standpoint - you know, that father-son thing. They will join the Adams (John and John Q., as opposed to Gomez and Pugsley) as the only other father and son presidential duo, and my students think that would be 'kewl' to see and experience in their lifetime. (Most have only known Clinton and George Sr.)! My mad ramblings are starting to sink in....kew. Hafa Adai Copyright © 2000 |
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