Democratic Rep. Neil Abercrombie is lashing out at Republican Gov. Linda Lingle for questioning the ties that Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama has to Hawai'i.

Abercrombie, Obama's campaign chairman in Hawai'i, was reacting to comments Lingle made this week in Colorado that questioned whether Obama can call Hawai'i his home state.

The congressman says that and other remarks made by the governor ran afoul of Hawaiian traditions by straying into personal criticism of Obama rather than critiques of his policies.

Abercrombie also is lambasting Lingle for announcing the elimination of the state's universal child healthcare program while she campaigned for GOP presidential contender John McCain.