By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Vicky Cayetano is at ease at the podium during
a recent reception at Washington Place.

---

The first lady’s
political clout

Political observers say
Vicky Cayetano is a big asset to
Ben's re-election bid

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

First lady Vicky Cayetano plunged into the audience of the Democratic Century Club before a speech, smiling as she shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

She didn't miss anyone. And after she spoke, they came to her. A line formed as virtually everyone wanted to meet her before leaving.

The first lady circulated before Gov. Ben Cayetano's town hall meeting at Kapalama Elementary School, chatting with people she was meeting for the first time.

Vicky Cayetano knows how to work a crowd - better than her husband, agree veteran Democratic and Republican hands.

Political observers are convinced that her ease in dealing with small and large groups and her business credentials as chief executive officer of one of the state's largest commercial laundries make her a significant asset to Cayetano's re-election bid next year.

"It's a case of one plus one equals more than the sum total," said John Strom, president of the Honolulu ad agency that handled former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi's media campaign in his 1994 gubernatorial run.

"Half her job is getting Ben re-elected," adds state Democratic Party Chairwoman Marilyn Bornhorst.

High profile

Since her marriage to Cayetano 31/2 months ago, the first lady, 41, has quickly assumed a public profile higher than predecessors. It is a role that transcends the gracious hostess of Washington Place.

Yes, she appeared with Cayetano, 57, in parades, cooking demonstrations and traveled with him on an economic-development trip to Asia and to the National Governors' Association meeting in Las Vegas.

But she has also given speeches, freely shared her opinions on current affairs, including court decisions and the state's poor economy, and even initiated contacts with reporters and opinion editors who deal with government and political news.

A singer and actress as a child, the first lady, together with her two sisters, has sung the Cayetano re-election campaign song: "Don't give your vote to anyone else but Ben," impressing the by-invitation-only guests at Washington Place coffee hours.

Vicky Cayetano also has been more visible than Ramona Harris, wife of Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, who could challenge Cayetano in the Democratic primary.

'She's softened him up'

The first lady has made Cayetano, who's known for being cranky at times, "more likeable now that he's married," said state Republican Chairwoman Donna Alcantara. "She's softened him up around the edges."

Nonetheless, Alcantara insists that Vicky Cayetano's emergence as a campaign surrogate won't hurt the likely Republican gubernatorial nominee, Maui Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle, who has been divorced twice.

"It's not whether she makes us like him more. The issue is the economy and his record is abysmal," Alcantara asserts.

Cayetano, who was separated from his first wife during his '94 gubernatorial campaign, said it is obvious that his second wife has made a good impression and that the public likes her.

"But," he quickly added, "she's not the candidate. I am. It's my record on the line."

While the first lady said she does not try to speak for the governor, her public remarks do echo themes that Cayetano and his campaign are pushing:

Cayetano as the caring-but-misunderstood governor: "It amazes me that I think to this day people do not fully understand or appreciate enough the compassion this man has. Truthfully, he doesn't share with me the specific policies, but I have seen him agonize over making some of the most difficult cuts. It just tears him apart."

Cayetano took office when the state was mired in its worst economic crisis: "I think that people have to wake up and be realistic about what he was given to start out with."

While business should be nurtured, it must also learn to compete: "The private sector has to take equal responsibility for what happens. Now that the times are tough, (the economy) has become a very serious issue.

"Yes, I think there are some changes needed to support business, but truthfully I think it is also more emphasized now. When times are difficult people tend to react and not think logically. It's always easier to pass the buck rather than take responsibility for some of our failures in the private sector."

Asked how he would use the first lady if he were running Cayetano's media campaign, John Strom said he would play up her business credentials.

"First, there has be some recognition of the sorry state of business here. There has to be some movement on what is the governor's vision. If she can help solidify a vision, more power to her," Strom said.

No negative impact—yet

If there is a downside to what Vicky Cayetano brings to the governor's re-election campaign, it hasn't surfaced - yet.

It could come next year when the gubernatorial race is in full swing.

Perhaps clashes with the campaign inner circle, forcing Cayetano to decide whether or not to side with her, say several seasoned political operatives.

Or she could remain a positive influence, they add.

If the campaign becomes tension-filled, she could be a calming influence on Cayetano, they say.

"I don't foresee a problem with her and Ben's inner circle," said John Radcliffe, associate executive director of the University of Hawaii faculty union and a key Cayetano supporter in 1994.

"She hasn't done this before. She doesn't come to the table with a lot of preconceived political notions.

"She's clearly not in to overpower or overshadow the governor. She's there to help; she knows what the word 'help' means."