When it comes to the war in Iraq, 2nd Congressional District candidate Mazie Hirono draws a clear distinction between herself and her Republican opponent, Bob Hogue.

"He clearly supports the president, and I don't," she said.

To Hogue, though, that assessment is too simplistic.

"I'm not the president," he said. "I'm Bob Hogue."

Since the Sept. 23 primary narrowed a field of 12 U.S. House hopefuls to two, the campaigns have taken on a different tone as the candidates work to set themselves apart on issues such as the U.S. presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as security at home.

During the primary, Hirono criticized the Bush administration's performance but for the most part avoided specific criticism of any of her Democratic opponents.

Now, even as she continues to hammer away at the president, she refers to Hogue as a "Bush-backing Republican."

Meanwhile, although he frequently spoke in support of the president while talking directly to Republican voters in the single-party primary, Hogue seems less inclined to do so now as he works toward the Nov. 7 general election.

"Hogue has, on the war thing, been pretty supportive of Bush," said Neal Milner, University of Hawai'i political science professor.

"I was always puzzled how he was going to handle it if he wins the primary."

Hogue is handling it by drawing attention to his differences from Hirono on the war in Iraq, rather than his similarities with the president.

Hirono favors establishing a withdrawal strategy and beginning to bring troops home by the end of the year.

"I don't agree with her on this particular issue," Hogue said. "Essentially, it's like 'cut and run.' It's a huge morale deflator for our troops. It's a boost for terrorists, and it will lead to greater instability in the region."

DIFFERING POSITIONS

While Hogue says Hirono's call to bring troops home before establishing a stable government is irresponsible, Hirono's position is more likely to resonate with voters in the district that spans the entire state, with the exception of urban Honolulu.

The district has consistently voted Democrats into the office, and Hirono is a "good solid Democrat ... with solid Democratic support," Milner said.

Meanwhile, Republicans are dealing with image problems nationwide, with the release of a classified report that indicates that the terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11 attacks and the invasion of Iraq, as well as the Capitol Hill page scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley of Florida.

"It's much harder to be a Republican running for office in 2006," Milner said. "The Republican candidates are running away from George Bush."

IRAQ VIEWPOINTS

But more separates Hirono and Hogue than just their approval or disapproval of the president.

While Hogue criticizes Hirono's troop withdrawal position, he would like to speed the process along, provided the region is stabilized first.

"What we want to do is get the Iraqi government in position so they can stand up so that we can stand down," he said. "What we don't want to do is unilaterally withdraw, which would set the area into total chaos and give the terrorists a breeding ground for attacks all over."

His concern about leaving the region in chaos holds little weight with Hirono, who asked, "What do you think it is in now?"

Citing the classified intelligence report released last month, she noted that the Iraq war has, "made the terrorist activity more likely, rather than less."

As for Afghanistan, Hogue said, "Whenever there's a terror flare-up, we need to make sure that our troops are protected. I think we've done an excellent job in that region, and we need to make sure our troops are protected."

Hirono is less critical of the U.S. presence in that country and notes that U.S. troops are part of NATO forces and part of a multinational, rather than unilateral, decision.

However, she said the Bush administration was premature in declaring victory over the Taliban.

AGREEING ON AN ISSUE

Where the two candidates come together is in their reactions to recent news that North Korea has become a nuclear power.

Hogue said, "I concur with the thought of sanctions that have been talked about. The world community can come to an agreement on the types of sanctions that could prevent North Korea from escalating this obvious threat."

Hirono, meanwhile, said she was glad that the United States was willing to work with the United Nations, but she said that Bush should have been engaged earlier.

"He's not facing reality," she said.

She said the United States needs to work with Russia and China in developing sanctions and suggested that the situation calls for more tact and diplomacy than the administration has been known for.

On the issue of homeland security, both candidates agree that safety is paramount but have different ideas on how to assure it.

"Quite obviously there has to be a balance between security measures and intelligence and civil liberties and privacy. However, we have to recognize that there are terrorists around the world right now who are trying their best to put us in danger," Hogue said. "We need to have the ability to ferret out information."

Hirono, on the other hand, would prefer to look to the report from the 9/11 Commission to come up with homeland security measures, such as dedicating a congressional committee to the issue and improving communication among first responders.

Hirono finds it ironic that as the country is pushing for democracy in the Middle East, she believes it is infringing on the civil liberties of its own citizens with invasions of privacy and unwarranted searches and seizures.

"We need to make very sure as we fight the war on terror that it is not used as an excuse for infringing on the fundamental rights we have as individuals," she said.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.