Abercrombie goes
all out to raise funds

He collects $162,000
in a drive to dispel talk of his
political vulnerability

By Pete Pichaske
Phillips News Service

WASHINGTON -- Eager to dispel the damaging talk of his political vulnerability, Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Honolulu, is raking in campaign contributions at a frantic pace.

During the first six months of the year, traditionally the slowest period of the House fund-raising cycle, Abercrombie raised $162,000 and ended the filing period with $142,000 on hand, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission here.

Both figures are more than twice the comparable figures from the first six months of 1995, the same period in the last election cycle.

Rep. Patsy Mink, D-rural Oahu/neighbor islands, raised $4,500 in the first six months of 1997 and had $77,000 on hand.

Abercrombie, who was outspent during the 1996 campaign by Republican Orson Swindle and is expecting another well-financed challenge next year, said he wants to be ready this time.

"There's a kind of savage irony operating," said the four-term incumbent, explaining that candidates who raise a small amount of money are labeled indolent or arrogant and those who raise a lot are accused of trying to scare away challengers.

"Either way you're going to get it, and I'd rather be criticized for being well-prepared," he said.

While plenty of names from both parties have surfaced as potential challengers in the first district, only Abercrombie has filed a campaign contribution report.

Reports are required for any candidate who has raised at least $5,000.

The absence of reports from other candidates, said Abercrombie, "talks about their credibility. You have to get going right now."

But at least one leading potential challenger disputed that contention.

"Neil's wrong on that," said Honolulu City Council Member Mufi Hannemann, a Democrat. "Neil has to raise the money because he's running for his life. . . . But that won't deter me from running."

Hannemann, who beat Abercrombie in a 1986 primary election but eventually lost to Republican Pat Saiki, is considering running for either Abercrombie's or Mink's seat next year -- or for mayor.

"There's still time to make a decision, and I'm sure I will be able to raise the money I need," said Hannemann. "I've always been able to raise my fair share."

GOP State Chairman Donna Alcantara agreed Abercrombie's financial muscle-flexing is unlikely to scare away challengers.

"He's just in big trouble all the way around," she said. "He's absolutely right to be doing this -- he's very, very vulnerable, even in his own party."

Swindle has already said he will not run against Abercrombie again, stepping aside for the GOP's leading hope, State Sen. Quentin Kawananakoa. Kawananakoa could not be reached for comment, but Alcantara said he is actively planning his campaign.

Alcantara's Democratic counterpart, Marilyn Bornhorst, agreed that Abercrombie's seat is coveted by other Democrats and called his early fund raising prudent.

"If I were in his position, I'd go out and do it, too," she said. "He's saying, I'm king of the mountain."

"He's had some pretty serious people . . .talking about that race," she said.

According to his campaign report, Abercrombie raised $129,000 from political action committees and $33,000 from individuals. Among the PAC contributors were the usual labor groups (AFL-CIO, Ironworkers PAC, Seafarers PAC) that have traditionally been Abercrombie's most generous supporters.