JERRY COFFEE for U.S. Senate from Hawaii

Quick Note

2006-07-25T10:22:00.000-10:00

Just a quick note; We've spent last 3 days at an orphanage in the high hills of Swaziland--beautiful country-- but literally dying of HIV-AIDS. Their annual population growth toll is -.08. More are dying than being born, and leaving tens of thousands of orphans.

El Shaddai, the orphanage we've been working with has 30 children from 2 to early teens. We’ve just roofed the new girls dorm, painted it brightly with stencils and mural , moved in beds, wired and plumbed, poured foundation for new boy's dorm, built furniture for pre school, and collected from among the 36 volunteer team enough donations to buy a new generator for the complex, allowing further expansion.

Best part was yesterday sitting in the dirt playing "blocks" with three of the sweetest 2-3 year olds, and them giggling as they climbed all over me, their "Babi" (grandfather) at least for the day.

The need here is enormous, but beating the AIDS through education and reducing the poverty are first steps.

Off to Malawi--where I understand poverty is worse--day after tomorrow.

More later.

"Unity Over Self!"
Jerry

Progress Report

2006-07-19T10:17:00.000-10:00

Greetings from Johannesburg S.A. I know, I know, how can you declare your candidacy then run off for 3 weeks? Susan and I have had this commitment to "Heart For Africa" and the orphan children of Swaziland and Malawi for many months, and we don't break commitments. In the meantime since my announcement the campaign has made much progress anyway in spite of and because of the Africa trip. For example:

1. Candidate papers have been filed.
2. Campaign Treasurer on board and bank account established.
3. Professional campaign Fundraising Director, Sam Fisher has been retained. He has a
winning record.
4. Financial disclosure record enroute to Ethics Commission
5. Active search for Campaign Manager in progress
6. Ditto Campaign HQ.
7. Interview in DC with Ken Mellman, National Chairman Republican Party.
8. Interview with White House Deputy Political Director.
9. Visit with my friend Senator John McCain and his Campaign Director.
10. Interview with Senator Elizabeth Dole, Chair of National Republican Senatorial
Committee. (All of the above were very enthusiastic about my candidacy, but the money
depends on our own ability to fund raise and poll numbers.)
11. Interviews with 2 DC PR firms for PR and media coverage.
12. Scheduled fund raising event in DC for August 7th enroute Africa to Hawaii.
13. Established website: www.jerrycoffee.com,
Email: campaign@jerrycoffee.com,
Blog: www.coffeeforussenate.blogspot.com
14. Made my annual presentation on "Honor" to the incoming Plebes at the Naval Academy.
15. Had interview with the History Channel on program on Cuban Missile Crisis.

I know I've left something out, but you get the picture. Oh ya, I forgot to mention dozens of enthusiastic calls and emails promising support.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

More later.

Candidate for U.S. Senate from Hawaii

2006-07-12T22:23:00.000-10:00

Aloha my friends!

Thanks for joining me here on http://coffeeforussenate.blogspot.com This will give us the opportunity to exchange ideas, for me to answer questions, and to keep you informed about my campaign.

I must admit I'm on record as "having no further interest in elective politics" here in Hawaii". That was my response to requests to run again in the coming election for the legislature. Well, you've heard it before, "if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." He's laughing!

Only in the last couple of weeks has it been apparent that this may be the first best chance in years to break the single party stranglehold on Hawaii's congressional delegation; a delegation that has been nearly impotent in facing an administration and a Senate majority of the opposite political persuasion. Hawaii has not been well represented for years. But the stars are in alignment, and that is about to change.

As you know, Dan Akaka and Ed Case are in the process of beating each other up in the Democratic primary. Each will have to spend a big chunk of their money and the process will confirm their dirty laundry and their respective weaknesses. After waiting for someone else to step up and take advantage of that, no one who can beat either of them has. So duty calls again. I can be the one to win over the survivor no matter which one it is. I am not running AGAINST the winner of that race, I am running FOR the things that neither of them represents; the values and priorities America needs desperately and--contrary to the thinking of some among us--what's good for America is good for Hawaii.

My career experiences make me uniquely qualified to articulate and support the policies and priorities needed to defend our nation in this time World War III for our national survival. We need to be on a stronger national "war footing", but to do that we must put behind us the petty political priorities and vendettas which characterize our Congress today. In this regard, please read my July 17th MidWeek column on www.midweek.com. Neither Akaka nor Case have the combination of experience, maturity, and grasp of reality to make the hard choices necessary in today's hostile global environment. When in the defense of our nation, one comes close to having one's name engraved on a marble wall, one's priorities and perspective become crystal clear.

I have new ideas on Energy and the Environment. One can't be addressed without considering the impact on the other. We need to reconsider the best renewable alternatives, which includes getting over our national paranoia over nuclear energy. Governor Lingle's 20-20 initiative to ensure 20% of Hawaii's energy be from renewable sources by 2020 should be our nation's stated goal as well.

On education, the "No child Left Behind" policy needs a second look. Measurement of progress in reading and math is important for sure, but we must ensure the essentials of science, the arts, and physical educations are not the price we pay for that measurement. We can, we must, have it both ways. I know. I was there when we did.

We need to get as tough on domestic crime incited by drugs and illegal emigration as we do on global terror. Our domestic health and security must be assured so we can focus properly on the global threat of terrorism. In fact, every domestic issue is integral to our ability to implement the international policies that will keep us all secure.

I have new ideas on national healthcare, and taxes as well. And for Hawaii we need a stronger federal partnership to help address our problems here at home, from traffic to cost of living. More on that later.

I often say I don’t want to be defined as a "war hero" or an "ex POW"; I hope I have been more than that. But I just have to mention that in the prisons of North Vietnam, or mission was to "Return With Honor", but our motto was "Unity Over Self". And "Unity Over Self" is the example our U.S. Senate should be setting for the rest of us. That's the ethic I will bring to that body; for our state and for our country. Please help me get there!

More later!