Honolulu mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano won’t be out at the GOP caucuses tonight trying to drum up Republicans to back his bid in the nonpartisan city race. Cayetano is a solid Democrat, he tells Civil beat’s Michael Levine.

honolulu-politics:

“Are you kidding?”

That’s what former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano said when I asked him if he’d have a role in tonight’s Republican presidential caucuses around the island and the state.

The answer — a firm “no,” delivered with a smirk at the end of his press conference to reveal FTA concerns about Honolulu rail — seems obvious coming from a longtime Democratic politician in one of the country’s bluest states.

But here’s why I asked: The Civil Beat Poll last week revealed that Cayetano does best among voters who disapprove of Democratic President Barack Obama. Here’s the breakdown:

• Strongly approve of Obama’s job performance — Cayetano 44 percent, Kirk Caldwell 25 percent, Peter Carlisle 24 percent
• Somewhat approve — Cayetano 52%, Carlisle 25%, Caldwell 12%
• Somewhat disapprove — Cayetano 60%, Carlisle 21%, Caldwell 8%
• Strongly disapprove — Cayetano 76%, Carlisle 13%, Caldwell 5%

So, will Cayetano be out tonight, connecting with Republican voters who might be open to supporting his mayoral campaign, largely because of their opposition to rail transit?

“I’m a Democrat, Michael, but on this issue, this is not an ideological election,” he said. “All the focus is on the vision for the city and the fiscal integrity of the city. … I do not intend to attend any Republican caucuses on the presidential race. Period. I’m supporting Barack Obama.”