It's official: Obama taps Kaine to head DNC

WASHINGTON

President-elect Barack Obama introduced Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Thursday as the new Democratic national chairman, promising a less partisan party that "measures the strength of an idea not by whether it's Republican or Democrat but by whether it can make a difference in people's lives."

Kaine "understands that while politics is tough... we also need to work together to solve our common problems," Obama said.

The two men confirmed the appointment - Kaine's actual election by the Democratic National Committee is expected later this month - at an afternoon news conference. They took no questions.

"I will be a passionate and positive promoter of President Obama's agenda," Kaine said.

The governor has pledged to be a part-time leader for the party until his term in Richmond expires next January.

He told reporters this week that he will do his party work without pay while he's still in office; Virginia law bars the governor from holding outside employment during his term.

Kaine will succeed former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, whose investments in party-building in all 50 states were hotly debated among Democratic leaders but now are widely credited with smoothing Obama's path to the White House.

Dean plans to step down on Jan. 21, the day after Obama is inaugurated.

Virginia is one of two states holding statewide elections this year, and Kaine's new position is likely to focus additional national attention on the governor's race.

A national chairmanship proved of no help to Virginia Republicans when then-Gov. Jim Gilmore led their party in 2001. Democrat Mark Warner easily defeated Republican Mark Earley in the governor's race that year. Warner took office this week as the state's junior U.S. senator.

Dale Eisman, (703) 913-9872, dale.eisman@pilotonline.com