Republicans are firming up a public strategy to use in the race for governor.

The historic rejection of Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie by fellow Democrats in the primary election empowers the GOP to argue for its candidate, former Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.

At the same time that the GOP seems organized, the Democrats appear more disorganized with unsettled leadership.

In some ways the primary was as stunning a loss for the Democrats as it was for Abercrombie.

With Abercrombie becoming a lame duck, he loses power and influence within the Democratic Party.

While several meetings have been held to discuss new leadership, Democrats are privately saying that there is little consensus.

Part of that is caused by the death of U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. As many Democrats complained about being held down by the political might of Inouye, many are now saying that Inouye lent stability to the party.

In past years, if someone was needed to herd cats, Inouye or one of his lieutenants was available with either the Kibbles or whips or whatever was needed to at least get Democrats facing the same direction.

It is a tough job because Democrats are also still putting Neosporin on their own in-house primary fight.

The Abercrombie Democrats and the Ige Democrats, including the legions of Democrats who wanted anybody but Abercrombie, are not on the same page, despite Abercrombie’s efforts and his full-throated endorsement of Ige.

And the equally bitter campaign between U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa opened up more wounds with the question of whether supporting Schatz was disrespecting Inouye.

All this disunity is helping the GOP build a strong campaign around a remarkably uncontroversial Aiona.

After becoming a lightening rod for passionate debate over same-sex marriage four years ago, Aiona’s conservative Christian viewpoints are not much of an issue now.

The former state judge is tamping down that fight.

Last week in his first appearance with Ige, Aiona essentially said it was time to move past the culture wars.

The Star-Advertiser’s Derrick DePledge reported that Aiona, if elected governor, would not try to overturn Hawaii’s same-sex marriage law. While Aiona opposes same-sex marriage, last week he noted that the final decision will be made in an anticipated ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, so the issue would not be decided on a local level.

Republicans now are laying out a strategy of linking Ige, the Senate Ways and Means chairman, and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, the former Senate president, and the unpopular Gov. Abercrombie as the Democratic troika.

In a news release after the candidates for governor held a joint appearance last week, Pat Saiki, the GOP chairwoman, said Ige was the same as Abercrombie.

"He has no new direction for Hawaii and would simply be a second Abercrombie administration," said Saiki.

By taking advantage of the Democratic disarray and Ige’s low-profile campaign, the GOP can attack the Abercrombie image and compare it to Aiona’s "keep it positive" campaign.

It puts the Republicans in a strong position.

Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.