Lingle Addresses Crowd At RNC

HONOLULU -- Gov. Linda Lingle said Hawaii's economy has diversified and strengthened under President George W. Bush. She said it is "transforming the state into a true Land of Opportunity with an improved quality of life for all our citizens."

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In a speech Wednesday at the Republican National Convention in New York, Lingle said that in the 21 months since she took office, Bush's tax cuts and pro-growth policies and her team's solid commitment to creating a more business-friendly climate have turned around Hawaii's economy dramatically.

"My administration is just 21-months-old, but in that short time, because of President Bush's tax cuts and his pro-growth policies along with our team's commitment toward creating a more solid growth policy, Hawaii's economy has turned around dramatically," Lingle said.

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Lingle said jobs are up, unemployment is down and construction and real estate are booming. She also noted that tourists are traveling in record numbers because the president has made the skies and oceans safer for travel.

"Are things better in Hawaii than they were four years ago? You bet they are!" she said.

Lingle made a strong pitch for the re-election of Bush, and said Hawaii would "lead the way to victory" for the Bush-Cheney ticket.

After her speech, the governor did a television interview with KITV 4 News from New York, saying she will campaign for Bush both here in Hawaii and on the mainland.

"I think being able to tell the story of a state that was very Democrat and voted for me because of the policies that I propose rather than my label is the same kind of message, I will take out about President Bush," Lingle said.

She expects traditionally democratic Hawaii to carry the Bush-Cheney ticket.

"I think the presidents tax cuts are very much in line with our state because they impact small business people so much and as you know most of the businesses in our state are small businesses," Lingle said.

Lingle had a busy day before her convention speech.

She spoke Wednesday morning at a breakfast of the American-Israeli Political Action Committee and at another breakfast sponsored by WISH, a national pro-choice group.

She also participated in a news conference with the other Republican governors and attended a luncheon with New York Gov. George Pataki and the other governors.

Tuesday night, Lingle attended a gathering sponsored by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the governors and other dignitaries.