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Gov. Tim Kaine speaks to reporters outside WTOP radio, where he was quizzed about the vice-presidency reports. |
RICHMOND--
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is playing it coy on rumors that he may be Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's vice-presidential pick.In an interview on WTOP radio yesterday, Kaine deflected questions about talk that he is being seriously considered by the Obama campaign.
"I want to do what I can to help him win. I do believe that my highest value is doing just what I'm doing now, helping win Virginia. Because this year Virginia is in play," Kaine said.
"I don't have conversations about my conversations about the campaign."
Kaine repeated what he has earlier said: that he would have to consider it if offered.
The talk of Kaine as VP intensified this week, thanks to reports that insiders say Kaine is being seriously vetted, and quotes from Obama himself about what qualities he's looking for in a vice-presidential candidate.
The Washington Post and the Politico both yesterday cited unnamed sources close to Kaine and Obama as saying Kaine is being seriously considered by the Obama campaign.
Kaine was early backer
Kaine was the first statewide official outside Obama's home state of Illinois to endorse the senator's presidential bid. He made the endorsement in February of 2007, outside Virginia's governor's mansion, the day Obama was due to speak to state Democrats.
Kaine and Obama are personally friendly--they share roots in Kansas, time as civil rights lawyers, and seem to have a similar outlook on politics. University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato said yesterday that the personal chemistry between the two is one of the things arguing for a Kaine vice-presidential nod.
"Both Harvard Law graduates with Kansas roots, both attorneys with a central focus on civil rights, and both relatively new to the big leagues, Obama and Kaine clearly like one another and enjoy each other's company," Sabato said, writing in his regular e-mail newsletter. "Obama has realized that a modern vice president practically lives with the chief executive, especially in times of crisis, and he wants someone he can trust completely."
Kaine also is governor of a state that Obama is trying to win, although no Democratic presidential candidate has won Virginia since Lyndon Johnson. And, said Sabato, the national mood seems more focused on domestic issues--high gas prices, a poor economy--and Kaine, as a governor and a former Richmond mayor, could speak credibly on such issues. Kaine is a Catholic and has no qualms talking about his faith and his belief that Democrats need to make more overtures to religious voters.
ATTRACTIVE TO HISPANICS
He's also a former missionary in Honduras, he speaks Spanish fluently and could perhaps appeal to Hispanic voters.
Strikes against Kaine include his lack of experience--he's been governor just 2 years, and was lieutenant governor and mayor before that, none of which is national or foreign policy experience.
"Obama has little or no foreign policy, military and national security experience. Unless one counts foreign trade missions, Kaine has even less knowledge of these areas than Obama," Sabato said. "Survey after survey has shown that Americans have a hard time, at least so far, seeing Obama in the role of commander-in-chief. A VP pick with solid background in the military or international arena would be reassuring.
Bolling would benefit
And then there's the matter of Kaine's governorship, which has had few major victories, and--more critical in Virginia itself than outside the state--the fallout here should Kaine step down to run for vice president.
A Kaine resignation would make Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling governor, and would likely change the GOP lineup for next year's statewide elections. Bolling had agreed with Attorney General Bob McDonnell that McDonnell will run for governor next year, and Bolling will run for reelection as lieutenant governor.
But if Bolling becomes governor through Kaine's resignation, it's likely--and, Sabato says, agreed between the two--that Bolling would be the gubernatorial candidate next year.
Such a domino effect doesn't please all Democrats. "From a selfish point of view for Virginia, as a Democrat I would hate to see the Republican elevated to governor, and then maybe able to pick it up in 2009," said Spotsylvania County Democratic committee co-chair Opal Stroupe.
Democrats, however, aren't immune to the glamour of having their governor on a national ticket. "It would be very exciting for Virginians to have someone on the ticket," Stroupe said. "I think Tim Kaine is doing a fabulous job as governor and would like to see him stay. On the other hand, if he's a person Obama thinks can best help him win the election, we'd be all for it."
State Sen. Edd Houck, D-Spotsylvania, said while Kaine would be a good choice for Obama, he would hate to see it happen because Bolling would not have the same priorities for state government as Kaine has. "Tim Kaine is very deserving and Barack Obama would be well-served to have someone of the moral character of Tim Kaine to be his running mate. I think it would be a win-win situation for both of them," Houck said.
Chelyen Davis: 804/782-9362
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com
