Mayor Mufi Hannemann's personal attacks on Gov. Linda Lingle are hurting the city's plans for rail transit, according to rail supporter and candidate for governor U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie.

In an interview yesterday, Abercrombie said Hannemann's antagonistic position is unrealistic and political. The mayor is likely to oppose Abercrombie in the Democratic gubernatorial race.

“;You would think the approach would be an invitation for Lingle to participate, not calling her names and threatening her and trying to push her around, sign something you never saw before,”; Abercrombie said.

Lingle said earlier this year that she had concerns about financing for the $5 billion transit plan and would not sign the required environmental impact statement until she had a clear picture of the city's finances. She also held a forum at the state Capitol to allow local architects to explain alternatives to the city's plan.

“;The problem goes back to the mayor saying, 'If you are not for me and what I say is rail, then you are against rail.' That is factually and demonstrably not so. That is why I find it dispiriting and destructive for the mayor to make this adverse position with the governor.”;

Hannemann declined to respond yesterday.

Last month, at a news conference, he said about Lingle, “;Every step along the way, she has been presenting roadblocks.”;

“;I believe she's anti-rail, and anti-rail meaning she's anti-jobs. I'm sorry, I call it like it is because the evidence is compelling.”;

Hannemann then held his own Capitol forum saying it was there that Lingle, in 2005, said she wanted to work with the new city administration on a mass transit project for Honolulu.

“;I took her up on it because this is where it all began,”; he said. “;She can't forget that. That's part of her history.”;

Abercrombie said yesterday that Hannemann has let the situation “;devolve.”;

“;Rail is too important to have to be the victim of a personal political agenda.

“;You can't blame the governor for wanting to actually see the EIS before committing to it,”; he said.

Abercrombie has said he would resign his congressional seat this month to campaign for governor.

Hannemann has started his own campaign for governor but has not officially declared his candidacy. He has raised more than $2 million and is staging rallies across the state.

Abercrombie was also critical yesterday of Hannemann's repeated description of rail being a job creation project.

“;This isn't about jobs; it is about community,”; he said. “;The whole idea of rail is what kind of a life are we going to have, what kind of community—how will we connect housing, transposition, education and the quality of life?”;

Abercrombie said that because Lingle saw her hoped-for Hawaii Superferry fail because of an EIS problem, she would not make a mistake with rail.

“;It is unreasonable ... to think the governor is not going to take a thorough look at it and the finances,”; Abercrombie said.