Kaine vows to work with McDonnell for 'seamless' transition

RICHMOND

Hours after his party suffered crushing losses to Republicans in all three statewide elections, Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine this morning told reporters that he will work with governor-elect Bob McDonnell to produce a “seamless” transition for the new administration.

“It’s important to get this transition right because of the challenging times ahead,” said Kaine, alluding to the recession-related budget woes Virginia continues to face.

Kaine, who serves double duty as chairman of the national Democratic party, also responded to questions about what the GOP sweep means for Democrats just one year after party candidates scored major election victories in Virginia.

The governor sought to put a positive spin on the outcome but acknowledged that Wednesday “is not quite the good morning” he’d hoped it would be.

Kaine said Democrats face “some tough reassessments and rebuilding” efforts after the voting blocs that backed the party last year either didn’t show up in droves at the polls Tuesday or sided with the other ticket.

He credited McDonnell for running a “disciplined, focused” campaign and praised his ability to adroitly navigate adversity when it arose.

Democrat Creigh Deeds, whom McDonnell dominated, was an “underdog” throughout the race because he lacked the public profile of his opponent and had to play catch-up after surviving a three-way primary in the spring, Kaine said. McDonnell, a former attorney general and state delegate from Virginia Beach, was unopposed for the GOP nomination.

Kaine said Democrats still have much to be proud of and, responding to a reporter’s question, said he expects to continue serving as Democratic National Committee chairman.

Virginia, he said, is a more competitive state now than it was at the start of this decade and one that neither “party can take for granted.”

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