Maybe Gov. Linda Lingle believes the line about what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Like we wouldn't hear about her saying Barack Obama isn't really from Hawai'i. Since when does the governor's office issue and revoke local status and kama'aina cred? Obama was born here and graduated from high school here. Lingle did neither. Does she really want to open up that debate?

Lingle seems to have forgotten where she came from.

Ever since being invited to take the stage at the Republican National Convention, Lingle has been giddily bearing the train of Sarah Palin's evening gown while her hometown Republicans can't get enough warm bodies for a decent sign-waving down Kalaniana'ole.

Instead of being home helping her party win a couple of local elections or campaigning for the ConCon she supposedly cares so much about, she's on the Mainland telling folks Sarah Palin is intelligent and Barack Obama is unknowable.

While in Colorado and Nevada this week, Lingle minimized Obama's ties to Hawai'i. She said that Obama spent only a few years in the Islands during his high-school years, and that his claim of Hawai'i as one of his home states is disingenuous.

Wow, let's hope the governor doesn't feel that way about everyone who calls Hawai'i home. Lots of folks will have to turn in their kama'aina cards.

Past governors of Hawai'i have all done their part to support their party's candidate for president. But nothing quite as high-profile and at odds with the character they portrayed at home. And not while the state of their state was so dire.

Politics is politics, but it's galling to hear Lingle indulge in such whoppers as Palin's line about Obama "palling around with terrorists" or to offer such over-the-top warnings as the election of Obama will devastate the economy. Lingle has no business judging Obama by his associations when she herself has palled around with the likes of Bob Awana and his overseas stag parties.

It takes a strong person to finish a big job with the commitment and courage with which they started. It is easy to lose focus and lose heart along the way; to start cutting corners, fixating on pet peeves or planning an elaborate exit strategy well before an exit is imminent. Lingle started her first term as governor with such vigor. The sun was glinting off her suit of shining armor. She was so into it. Now it's like she's so over it. She's playing "say anything" with the big guys. It almost makes you forget where she came from.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.