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Kerry Dougherty

Kerry Dougherty's column appears in the Hampton Roads section of The Virginian-Pilot every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Read it in print or here on PilotOnline.com. You also can follow Kerry on Twitter: twitter.com/kerrydougherty

Our part-time governor

Let me be clear.

I didn't expect Tim Kaine to fetch my 7-Eleven coffee for me this morning. And I wasn't looking for him to run around lighting candles when my power first died last night.

When I heard the whine of chainsaws this morning, I didn't expect to see Kaine out there working on the debris.

But is it asking too much of the Governor of Virginia that he at least stay in the commonwealth when an epic storm comes calling?

Apparently it is.

Instead of staying home when one of the worst storms in history hit, Kaine took off for Arkansas to reportedly lunch with a bunch of political operatives. He's back now and he plans to tour Hampton Roads on Saturday.

Look, this is all about priorities. And appearances. You'll have to forgive some of us for thinking that Arkansas Democrats appeared to be more important to Kaine than Virginia's misery earlier this week.

Despite what the current officeholder - and Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore, in the final year of his term - seems to think, being governor of Virginia is not a part-time job. We give our chief executive pretty nice digs in Richmond. When there's a state emergency or disaster, he ought to stay there.

Last weekend, as he made his round of Sunday talk shows, governor-elect Bob McDonnell was asked to promise that he'd serve all of his four year term.  Incredible as it seems, there is wild speculation already about him running as VP on the 2012 GOP ticket.

McDonnell promised to serve his full term.

Well, McDonnell ought to make one more promise: That as long as he is governor it will be his one and only job.

 

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Photo OP

Timmy never misses a photo op and to tell us all how great Obummer is.

President Obummer?

Say what you want about the president, but whether you agree with him or not, you have no basis to call him a bum. He is the hardest working president I have ever seen, constantly on the road, unafraid to go one on one with private citizens in his audiences, standing up to huge corporations, and most of all he is passionate about his beliefs and fights for what he stands for. If "Timmy" admires the president then that is fine, it is good to hear that Governor Kaine has a pulse.

He's already played more

He's already played more gold than Bush did in 8 years.

Kingfish Facts

Do some people even think about the facts before they fire off comments. You may not like Kaine but to say he was in Fairfax b/c it's near DC ignores that he practiced law in Richmond for two decades, was mayor of Richmond, and is married to a Virginian. You don't have to like him but at least challenge him based on the facts and not pure fiction!

Married to a Virginian?

That's an understatement. Married to a governor's daughter is more like it!

The Sheep Voters

Some voters are like sheep; just follow the sheep in front - don't look where we are going. Some voters will vote for Bozo the Clown if he is a democrat. Tim Kain is a perfect example of a "carpet bagger". His personal residence is in Fairfax because it is close to D.C. He is really not a Virginian - born and raised up North. He USED the citizens of Virginia as a stepping stone to a D.C. job. And Chairman of the DNC is not his highest aspiration. When the time comes, remember he trampled on Virginians to get what he wanted. We should all feel "used"!

Tim Kaine

Welcome back, Governor....we had a Nor'easterner while you were gone!

Why Does it Matter?

When he is around, he just stands around. Governor Kaine doesn't seem to be passionabout anything, he never seems to take a stand, and he clearly lacks the force of character needed to "govern." When the General Assembly is in session Governer Kaine acts like it is a spectator sport.

He is a nice guy but I am sorry I voted for him. He will be moving on soon, which is good for our sake as well as his. I frequently compare him to the governor of California, not so much in ideology or politics, but in conviction, a trait Mr. Kaine seems to lack. When the going gets rough, he stands there, shoulders shrugged, palms up, like, "What am I supposed to do?" With all our problems, we could use someone like The Terminator.

Cheated again.

Our Governor, has once again cheated his constituents, of "Leadership". I'm really disappointed on the value I received for my vote. President Obama was wise enough to see our Governor's hollowness, and I trust he isn't counting on broad support for any other political aspirations. Fool me once, shame on me.....

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