Republican gains in Hawaii are dramatic.

Hawaii's first congressional district is now in Republican hands, and Washington Democrats are sure to be planning "firing squads"for Colleen Hanabusa and Ed Case; the two Democrats who split the 100,000 Democratic vote, opening the path for Charles Djou, a certified Conservative.

Now I expect most Democrats and Liberals to blame Charles Djou's "victory" on the Democratic split, and on Hawaii's unique special election format. However, that would be a distraction from the real picture: Charles Djou increased Republican votes by more than 75% during a special election.

Don't believe me? Wrap your mind around these statistics:

2008 congressional election 

(D) Abercrombie - 154,208 - 70.6%
(R) Steve Tataii - 38,115 - 17.4%
Other/Blank vote - 25,963 - 11.9%

2010 special election

(R) Charles Djou - 67,610 - 39.4%
(D) Democrats - 100,193 - 58.4%
Other/Blank vote - 3,614 - 2.2%

Charles Djou not only benefited from a "Democratic split" between Moderates and Liberals, but he increased the amount of Republican votes in Hawaii's first congressional district by 29,000 votes or by 75%, in a special election. That's a dramatic shift in just 18 months.

If Republicans can increase their vote total by 75% in Hawaii; a well known bastion of Democrat policies (exempting traditional marriage, which Hawaiians feel strongly about) and politicians, than what can Republicans do in Arkansas, North Dakota, Arizona and Nevada; states where Democrats are on the decline?

Congressman Djou's successful campaign increased Republican votes by 75% during a special congressional election, when most voters stay home (54% of registered voters participated in this special election). What will happen across America in November; when the American public declares liberalism dead on review? We can only hope, but I'm optimistic.