Kaine rebuffs GOP inquiry into his DNC travel

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's office on Friday declined to provide additional details to Republicans who inquired about his recent political trips outside of Virginia, citing legal precedent and state law.

Pat Mullins, chairman of the state GOP, last week filed a Freedom of Information Act requesting specifics about when and where Kaine has traveled beyond Virginia's borders this year for political purposes.

Republicans have criticized Kaine's out-of-state jaunts, accusing the governor of neglecting the state to focus on his work as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

When named to that post by President Barack Obama earlier this year, Kaine told reporters that he would treat the job as a part-time venture until his term as governor ends in early 2010.

But Kaine's travels have come under increased scrutiny from political rivals and members of the news media clamoring for more information about his itinerary.

Kaine has said that he will answer questions about his travel if asked. The governor's press office releases a weekly public schedule of his travels in Virginia but does not provide a list of other places he visits. Kaine has recently attended Democratic events in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Illinois and Missouri.

In addition to the governor's travel log, Mullins' FOIA request sought information about whether any of the trips cost taxpayers any money. Kaine's staff has said his DNC travels are not done at state expense.

In a letter to Mullins, Kaine

spokeswoman Lynda Tran wrote that about $10,000 has been spent this year on travel and lodging expenses for the law enforcement officers assigned to the governor's security team who have accompanied him on political trips.

Tran said the DNC will reimburse the state for those costs. She referred Mullins to the Virginia State Police, which keeps records about the Executive Protection Unit that guards the governor, for more information.

Tim Murtaugh, a state Republican spokesman, said officials plan to review the response from Kaine's office over the weekend before commenting further.

Kaine is not the first Virginia governor to serve as the head of a national party while in office; then-Gov. Jim Gilmore was named chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2001, his final year in office.

"I don't think there's any instance that anyone can cite that indicates that the governor has not been 110 percent in command of the state and giving his full attention to his duties, and that is the ultimate issue," said Jay Timmons, who served as chief of staff under then-Gov. George Allen, a Republican.

"It's unfortunate when political parties and public officials elected at any level, regardless of their party affiliation, quibble over minutiae and process and not policy direction" and the critical issues confronting that state and nation, Timmons added.

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com