RICHMOND
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was mum Tuesday as word spread across the nation that Democrat Barack Obama may be on the verge of asking him to run for vice president.
"I'm just not going to talk about my conversations with the campaign," he said in an interview during his monthly appearance on WTOP radio in Washington.
On his way out, he was swarmed by reporters on the sidewalk. "I have not sought it. I'm not running for it. I'm not asking for it," he said.
But Kaine repeatedly declined to say he would turn down an offer to be Obama's running mate. And he refused to guarantee that he will finish his term as governor, which ends in January 2010.
The national media are abuzz this week with reports from unidentified Obama advisers that Kaine is in the final cut of vice presidential candidates with perhaps two or three other Democrats.
The news has triggered debate over what Obama is seeking in a running mate and what Kaine could deliver.
There have been widespread arguments that Obama needs a Washington veteran with deep experience in foreign policy to compensate for perceived weaknesses in his resume. If that's the campaign's thinking, Kaine may come up short compared with two other Democrats prevalently said to be in the running for the No. 2 spot: Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Joe Biden of Delaware.
Conventional wisdom holds that vice presidential candidates are often chosen because they can help their ticket win an important state. If that's correct, Kaine could bring a lot to the table.
Democrats came close to winning the presidency in the last two elections, and Virginia, with 13 electoral votes, went Republican both times. The Obama campaign wants to change that trend this year. It has opened 24 campaign offices across the state and is trying to register young voters and black voters.
"The governor might be able to add a (percentage) point or two to the vote," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist. "Who knows? That might be the difference in Virginia."
Sabato added, however, that vice presidential choices rarely produce votes - with the exception of Democrat Lyndon Johnson, who crucially delivered his home state of Texas to John F. Kennedy in 1960.
"Nobody votes for a vice president," said former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, a Democrat who now is mayor of Richmond. "The most important thing is that Obama picks someone he's personally comfortable with."
Wilder has long admired Kaine, a former mayor of Richmond. "I was one of the people early on who suggested Tim Kaine be considered" for the vice presidency, he said.
Obama showed similar thinking Sunday when he said he wanted someone who shares his vision of change for Washington.
Kaine is close with Obama personally and philosophically. They're both graduates of Harvard Law School. Their mothers, although they never knew each other, were both born in El Dorado, Kan. Obama helped Kaine's 2005 gubernatorial campaign. Kaine, in early 2007, became one of the first major supporters of Obama's presidential bid.
Privately, several state Democrats wonder whether Kaine brings forward a strong gubernatorial record. He generally receives high marks for intelligence, kindness and his sensitive handling of the 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy, when a gunman killed 32 students and faculty members before committing suicide.
But Kaine's key initiatives have either been killed or gutted by the legislature, including proposals to expand state-sponsored pre-kindergarten classes and to raise taxes to help transportation.
No Virginia governor since 1852 has left office before his term ended, the longest streak in the nation. Kaine's early departure would put Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, in charge for the final 14 months of Kaine's term. Bolling would be eligible to run for a full four-year term. This spring, when the tide of Virginia politics was more predictable, Bolling vowed not run for governor in 2010. He announced he would spare the GOP strife by seeking another term in the No. 2 spot, giving Attorney General Bob McDonnell a clear run for the gubernatorial nomination.
A codicil to that pact was never made public, however. The two, according to advisers who asked not to be named, also agreed that should Bolling become governor before the election, McDonnell would defer to him in 2010 and seek a second term as attorney general.
In a video on MSNBC's Web site, Kaine told reporters in Washington he is not distracted by his sudden fame. "I'm still focused on governing Virginia," he said.
Although Obama also was in Washington, Kaine said they had no plans to meet. The governor said he was headed to Chincoteague to watch today's running of the ponies with his 13-year-old daughter, Annella.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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Nope C.B.
Your numbers are incorrect. Besides, a reccesion is a mathmatically provable event. It cannot be argued. While people will try it does not bend the reality of the subject.
However, let's say your right, that the country was in one and we had 2 consecutive quarters of reduced growth. Following the LARGEST ECONOMIC EXPANSION in our history would that be unexpected? Nothing continues to grow at that rate.
your right
well you are right about that gertz,i even heard rumours of another economic stimulous package,a.k.a, govt dependency check,welfare! i wonder where the fed plans on borrowing that money from?china?
there will be higher taxes
It doesn't matter who is elected president we can expect higher taxes, there simply is no way around it. If you take a serious look at our deficit the belt needs to be tightened. If Obama is elected then the Democrats will take the blame for the increse, if McCain is elected then rebubs won't complain about it, but by golly the Democrats will. It's the nature of the beast.
no fan
well i could care less for either party,anymore,and i'm sorry gertz,this mess in our country just did'nt happen when bush took office,this ever downward spiral has been going on for decades,because voter,seem to vote for the lesser of the two evils,and so you always will have a trend,downward!and the snake in the grass politicans,always find there way to DC,,to claim there fortune.on another note,when are you fine people of virginia beach ever going to get rid of your incompitent mayor!
The hand he was dealt?
"The fact remains that Bush could do very little with the hand he was dealt entering his term. That being said, I believe he could have done more to "bail us out" during his terms."
Good lord, look at the spending this man and the repub congress has done. Look at the deficit we have. "I believe he could have done more", heck fire he didn't do anything but make our situation worse.
D and D
They (Omama and Kaine) do remind me of that crazy movie, so Pilot, be so kind as to let this post go through.
For all you folks who are blaming GW for everything from Katrina to Iraq, remember that hurricanes are an act of God (or Nature) whichever you prefer. And how soon we forget, the Iraq war began when the members of the current do nothing Congress voted in favor of the war, and the American publics approval rating was somewhere around 60 pct or higher. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel. And at the end, there stands Omama (oops, misspelled again) and Timmy who will solve everything. Just look at their record, and believe everything they say. The change they seek is currently residing in your pocket.
Okay
"AM and Ira, not to be contentious but GDP data shows that the 3rd and 4th quarters of Clintons last year went down so a recession had been started. " I wasn't sure, but if you checked the GDP data, then I'll bite. I also agree with you on the blaming Clinton or Bush for the recession/s. I also love the fact that people blame the other party for a bad economy and then claim their party was responsible for the good times. The fact remains that Bush could do very little with the hand he was dealt entering his term. That being said, I believe he could have done more to "bail us out" during his terms.
No it happened during Clinton..
AM and Ira, not to be contentious but GDP data shows that the 3rd and 4th quarters of Clintons last year went down so a recession had been started. Of course there are economists that like to argue either way but most will agree recession. Now, was it Clintons or Bushs fault, in my opinion no because it was a long overdue correction of a 10 year economic expansion that started "before" Clinton took office. However, I like to rile liberals who like to claim that Clinton was responsible for the expansion, we were somehow better off because of him and Bush was the bad boy.
Actually CB
I do believe that the recession started in 2001, during Bush's term -- not that I am blaming Bush, as he certainly did not have any control. It's merely a natural economic cycle.
Washington. Jefferson, Lincoln
Good grief how many decades/centuries have we been using the last name of just about everyone including presidents. As far as me refering to Bush as "Mr. President", well, it will be a cold day in you know where. Respect is earned, not handed out on a silver platter. I have no respect for "your mr. president". You call him whateve you want to, the pilot won't let me call him what I want to.
CB and others
"but McCain feels like Bush-lite. Obama, on the other hand feels like everything that Bush isn't. "
Please elaborate on such a silly comment. Even the republicans disagree on that. Your easily led and are simply repeating OpEd's you have heard or read. You would probably like McCain if he were "flashier."
Kaine and Obama as others have stated are unproven. It's all talk. Both have been in office for a short while and have accomplished absolutely nothing. Kaine in particular has not been able to buils concensus as Warner did. So far he has crapped out. Obama has done even less.
CB: Your comment about the reccesion is patently false. You have no evidence to support this. The largest economic expansion in our history occured while Clinto nwas in office. I believe your making it up.
good grief
Most of those posting here should be ashamed. I feel sorry for Obama and whomever he selects as his VP. They will have a big job to do cleaning up the mess from the last 8 years! Even so, I believe he will do it with grace and dignity.
Dukakis wannabe
Put Tim Kaine in a tank with a helmet on and he would look like Michael Dukakis. He has to have a separate spokesperson for his eyebrows.
Regarding Clinton, he was the salesman at the Cadillac dealership when the fleet buyer walked in. He didn't create the tech bubble as much as ride the wave.
Mary M.
Don't you meant SENATOR Obama? Where's the respect?
"Kaine stays silent about
"Kaine stays silent about possible vice presidential nomination"
LOL, that's becuase Kaine believe it either. Sssh, maybe no one will look at my tax and spend record.
Kaine...
Would he be a good running mate for NObama? Well they certainly share the same socialist beliefs so I don't know if that is really good.
am..
The country was in recession at the end of the second Clinton term. The Bush tax cuts were meant to offset that and get the economy on track again. Unfortunately, shortly afterward, 9/11 occurred which made a recovering economy even more difficult. On top of that, the long term economic growth enigma during the Clinton administration started long before he came into office. It would be reasonable to say that Clinton did nothing for the economy that he enjoyed with the exception of not doing anything to disrupt it.
Mary, you are about 12 years behind
Clinton has been referred to by his last name, even when he was the sitting president. As was Carter, Reagan, etc. In the words of Billy Joel, we didn't start the fire.
Gertz Point!
A lot of people do not agree that President Bush is the worst president ever but we are totally cowed by the exhibition of hatred, animosity, and the assumption that everyone agrees with it, so we stay silent (usually) in forums like this.
What is sad is that this term has introduced the custom of referring to the president by his last name only ("Bush" instead of "President Bush" or "Mr. President") which will extend to Barack Obama also (I do believe he will be elected). No more respecting a person for his position--from now on the gloves are off and people will talk about their president in a way that we once reserved for people like Hitler. It is like Pandora's box--we won't be able to close it ever again. I think only crazy people and megalomaniacs will run for president after these next few years. Cheers, MGM
P.S. I like Barack Obama, so I don't say that to discredit him. Not sure I am voting for him, though . . .
Remember history steve, don't rewrite
The economy was not nosediving in the second Clinton term. Pick up some old Wall Street Journals. Greenspan did not help things by vehemently arguing against the inevitable Bush tax cuts either.
We live in the greatest and
We live in the greatest and best country in the world so let's change it? The economy was nose diving in Clinton's 2nd administration (911 had most pundits spewing dire predictions of it's effects on the current poor economy). Blaming GW is like a janitor beating up the current person in a restroom for making the whole mess.
LIBERTARIAN = PRO POT HEADS
The libertarian party will get nowhere until they drop their stance on illegal drugs. Nobody wants a pot head schoolbus driver or babysitter.
Kaine is a horrible choice, I have to think that this is some ploy to boost polling numbers in VA, nothing more. Him and Obama are BOTH serving their first terms, Kaine hasn't done anything of substance since he took office, roads are still a mess and he can't get the politicians together to agree on something.
RE:two plans
Sorry, but you are sadly mistaken the mess this country is in did not start in 2006, but in 2000 when you first elected Bush, and then had the ignorance to elect him to a second term.
You cannot expect overnight miracles from Congress considering the devistation Bush has had on our country and the world. It will take decades to overcome the decisions of Bush and approval by the Repub Congress. The destruction of our country lays on the hands of the republican congress and Bush. Given time the Democratic Congress will turn this country around, but not until we get rid of Bush. I'm not an Obama or McCain fan, but anybody but Bush works for me and the majority of the American people feels the same.
Kaine for V.P - NOT!
If he helps Obama to run our country like he is running the State of Virginia.... this country is in TROUBLE!
gertz point
well i'm glad gertz,because neither do i.the quicker the IRS,is revamped,for a major overhaul,and the UN kicked out of our country,i think the better things will be.well cheers my friend!
"the best government is which that governs least"
two plans
Let the dimwitcrats have the W.H. because they have no power there unless they have the Congress. So we vote out the democratic base in Congress. Or let them have the next four years to show everyone again how they have done nothing but grandstanding on issues that affect America but they decided to feed their own greedy interest instead. Remember it all started in 2006 when Nancy & Harry got into power and started screwing up congress as obvious by the lower approval ratings than the President’s. Then the adults can retake it all 2012 and BHO a.k.a. Little Jimmy Carter II & little Timmy can go home and play in the sandbox.
Change, change, change...
For all you who are falling for this "change" mantra, answer this: are you happy now that control of Congress has changed from Republican control to Democratic control?
Seriously, take a minute and think about this. Are you happier, better off financially, safer, more secure now? Were you able to take that summer vacation, or did you put it off because the gas was too expensive? Are you more secure in your job? Are your fears of a terrorist attack gone?
Think about it. Think really, really hard about it.
Obama and Kaine?
Like my momma always said, "Stupid is as Stupid does"!
Obama/Kaine, good enough for me.
It's surprising to me that so many local people seem to be 'piling on' the idea of Kaine and Obama, or Obama/Kaine such as it may be. Especially considering that Virginia and Hampton Roads could be called nothing less than purple at this point. Personally, I'm of the opinion that anything not-Bush on January 20, 2009 is a good thing. I'm not certain of this, but McCain feels like Bush-lite. Obama, on the other hand feels like everything that Bush isn't. That's not the answer to all my hopes and dreams, even though that's how the Obama campaign would clearly like to position him, but it's good enough for me this time around. I'm no liberal. I dislike big government, excessive spending, and taxes just as much as the next guy. But we have to admit that the tenure of the 43rd President of the United States has been a disaster. As for Kaine, I don't know what he does for Obama outside of Virginia but I do think he helps deliver this state. By most accounts if that happens Obama is #44, and #44 means #43 is gone... good enough for me.
A non-answer is a "yes" folks....
Q: Are you willing/preparing to be the Vice Presidential Nominee?
A: Anything other than "No, I am the Governor of Virginia until 2010" means "yes, Virginia, I'm outa here...."
Q: Are you turning over personal documents for a background check?
A: Anything other than "No" means "yes."
Rephrasing, side-stepping, posturing, failure to clearly state a position, or referring to "campaign staff" means smoke and mirrors - Governor Kaine, whom another commentator has called a liar, is again failing to be truthful with the citizens of Virginia.
I appreciate the career path - if something too good to pass up comes along, then by all means take it - for yourself, for your family. But don't cover up, mislead, or obfuscate.