NYT: Hawaii Senate Race is a Tossup Nov 17, 2011

The retirement of Senator Daniel K. Akaka has made a reliably Democratic seat a tossup.

Republicans recruited former Gov. Linda Lingle, a popular figure in the state. She will face the Democratic winner from a primary that includes Representative Mazie K. Hirono, who fell short to Ms. Lingle in the 2002 governor’s race.

With President Obama on the ballot in his native state, Democrats would ordinarily have an edge, but Ms. Lingle could change the equation.

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Politico: Why Hawaii & Nebraska aren't toss-ups yet Nov 17, 2011

HAWAII: There's no question Republicans netted the best candidate they could hope for in former Gov. Linda Lingle. She's one of the National Republican Senate Committee's top "gets" of the cycle. But the top of the ticket pull in this traditionally Democratic state can't be overestimated. President Obama notched the state with 72 percent in 2008. Even if he underperforms by 10 percent in 2012, that's quite a wave to swim against. In addition, while Lingle is formidable, don't ignore that she left office with just a 41 percent job approval rating. This remains a Democratic-leaning seat until Lingle shows she's in a dogfight through a consistent stream of polling and fundraising. If Republicans are winning in Hawaii next November, they've likely overtaken the Senate with running room.

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