THERE IS no question that Gov. Tim Kaine earned the job President-elect Barack Obama has chosen for him as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Kaine saw something special in Obama long before most of America took notice of the little-known Democrat from Illinois. Virginia's governor was among the first to endorse Obama and worked vigorously to build support for him here and in states far afield.
Kaine's new job will be part time for the first year, allowing him to complete his gubernatorial term. But it will also and unavoidably be a distraction at a time Virginians need their governor's full attention.
With the state facing unprecedented economic turmoil and painful budget cuts, the governor must commit to keeping political intrusions to a minimum and giving priority to the constituents who elected him to a four-year term.
As a candidate for governor, Kaine came across as more of a wonk than a partisan.
Since election, his political achievements have exceeded expectations, while his policy accomplishments have been less than most Virginians had hoped.
Obama's win in Virginia was the most notable change in Democrats' fortunes, but Kaine invested fundraising capital and elbow grease into helping secure a majority in the state Senate and Virginia's congressional delegation, as well as securing two U.S. Senate seats.
Unfortunately, those successes contrast with his failure to build consensus on a transportation plan and incremental gains in expanding pre-kindergarten, much of that likely to fall victim to budget cuts this year.
Still, Kaine has been a conscientious caretaker of the commonwealth's interests, steering Virginia through a horrific mass murder at Virginia Tech and an agonizing recession with both compassion and decency.
He was passed over for vice president and turned down Cabinet posts that would have required him to hand over the mansion to Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, whose partisan instincts exceed Kaine's. The DNC job will give Kaine greater flexibility, both in his duties in Virginia and after he leaves office.
Just a few weeks ago, Kaine asserted that he would not accept the DNC post. As with a vow to not raise taxes this year, he is too prone to make off-the-cuff categorical statements. If Virginians forgive him such contradictions, it will be only because he promises to put them at the top of his priorities and then makes good on his word.
Barring a hurricane or other disaster, governors typically find their obligations lighten significantly in their final year.But these are not typical times, and Kaine should be prepared to spend the bulk of 2009 in Richmond, not Washington.
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