As national buzz about Hawaii’s 2012 U.S. Senate race continues to intensify, Politico is offering some analysis as to why. 

The newspaper reported that, while many of the “basic elements” of Hawaii politics serve to dissuade national interest, the current race for Senate has enough drama to attract mainland political junkies.

Namely, a household name Republican candidate in former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and a nasty Democratic primary fight between former Congressman Ed Case and Rep. Mazie Hirono. 

Read the full story.