A closer look seems to confirm Kaine will be the VP Nominee

[grantcart]

Checking a little deeper I was surprised to find that Senator Obama and Governor Kaine share a great deal in common. Their mothers were both born in El Dorado, Kansas. They both went to Harvard law school and committed to applying themselves to community service work. They both practiced civil rights law. Governor Kaine was a part of the Obama campaign from day one.














Here are the details:


I) Relistening to Senator Obama's strong performance on MTP http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25872602#25872602

Talking about his Vice Presidential choice the following words jumped out at me:

I want somebody with: integrity, independence, I want somebody with a shared vision of not only where the country is going but how the country should be governed.

. . .

The most important thing from my perspective is someone who can help me govern I want somebody who I am compatible with,who I can work with who has a shared vision, who certainly compliments me and has a knowledge base or an area of expertise that can be useful.

II) So the key seems to be a) shared vision and b) useful area of expertise c) somebody who can help govern

In general these three areas would seem to suggest somebody that hasn't been in politics so long that their vision has been 'co-opted', and also somebody that has executive experience. It tends to reinforce the idea that it is someone outside of Washington, a governor.


III) Kaine's endorsement of Obama


Going back to the very very early days of the campaign. I knew that Kaine had endorsed early. I was shocked to find out that he endorsed Senator Obama the week after he announced. Senator Obama announces his candidacy formally on February 10th 2007 and travels to Virginia the next week for the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on February 18th where Governor Kaine endorsed him.

That can mean only one thing: That Senator Obama had long confided in Governor Kaine even before he endorsed. Their relationship goes back to 2005 when Senator Obama came to help campaign for Kaine's campaign.

It must have been quite a discovery for both of them to realize that they shared so much in common, with family roots going back to the same small town, graduating from Harvard and a similar post graduate type of experience:

http://hamptonroads.com/node/225051

"In 2005, Obama came to Virginia to help Kaine campaign for governor. The two discovered they had much in common: Their mothers were born in El Dorado, Kan.; both politicians graduated from Harvard Law School; and both practiced civil rights law. Kaine was once a missionary in Central America; Obama was a community organizer in Chicago."

and does this sound like they share a common vision? Why Kaine endorses Obama:


Although Obama has been in the Senate only two years, Kaine said he is not concerned about whether the candidate has enough experience to be president.

"The basic experience I'm looking for begins very deeply with values," Kaine said.

Facts about Governor Kaine that make him a very attractive addition to the ticket:

1) Born in Minnesota, raised in Missouri , and lives in Virginia

2) Catholic - serious enough to "a year-long break during law school to work with the Jesuit order as a Catholic missionary in Honduras."

3) Governing experience - City Council, Mayor, Lieutenant Governor, Governor

4) Fluent in Spanish

5) Wife is a Juvenile Court Judge and is the daughter of a Virginia Governor

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kaine


And now for a teaser: The Obama campaign has announced that Senator Obama will be in Missouri this week. Just like he brought Edwards to Michigan and Clinton to NH it would be a stunning surprise to make the announcement in Missouri where Governor Kaine grew up.

[Thrill]

1. He's always been my top choice

[flpoljunkie]

81. And, it would be fun to say 'OBAMA/KAINE!' 'YES, WE KAINE!'

[KittyWampus]

90. there'll be those who work to make Kaine unpalatable to the Democratic base

but after reading up on him and having an open mind, Kaine seems like a great pick.

So good on you for being ahead of the curve.

I was/am rooting for Schweitzer :) Longshot... but he'd be a great POTUS.

[saltpoint]

2. Superb post.

Recommended.

[Cha]

10. Found this on Wikipedia..

"Kaine practiced law in Richmond for 17 years, specializing in representing people who had been denied housing opportunities because of their race or disability. He was recognized by local, state and national organizations for his fair housing advocacy. He also taught legal ethics for six years at the University of Richmond Law School."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kaine

[saltpoint]

12. Not bad at all. Hi, zidzi.

Kaine is not everyone's ideal candidate, but he sounds like a damned good option for a winning ticket.

[Cha]

17. And, of course, if he makes the cut he'll

be fully vetted:)

I don't know who would be perfect but if Obama is happy with whomever he choses that stands for a lot.

[saltpoint]

19. I like the common strands of their two lives. They sound like they

know each other and they seem fluid and at ease with one another in the pics.

[Cha]

24. Yes..and it's the first time I've really looked

at it so I'm kinda surprised.

[bkinsd]

3. Can't Argue With Your Analysis

Seems like he would be a good pick for the second spot on the ticket.

[Cha]

6. Yeah, with all grant has to write about him..I'm

thinking so too. Welcome to DU, bkinsd.

[Cha]

4. Excellent post, grant!

I've never knew much about Kaine until right this moment and now I'm all enthused:)

[Bluebear]

5. "Marriage between a man and a woman is ...a keystone of our civil society" - Tim Kaine

"Any gay Dem should be sick to their stomach at this pick. Kaine is just another Republican-lite clone from a Red state, and that's where the Dem leadership has indicated it wants to move the party. We are on notice -- homos are going to be tossed overboard -- again -- in search of the elusive win. They haven't figured out that voters need and want to see a party that has values it actually believes in and is willing to defend -- and they won't get a dime from me with this bullsh*t…

For gays living under Kaine and his endorsement of a marriage amendment, it's a clear message that your life partner relationship has no legal footing or recognition in the state -- and it will NEVER be recognized. Oh, and keep paying taxes for that luxury.

Yet that's fine and dandy with the Democratic Party establishment, which tacitly endorses Kaine's position with this pick. Defenders will say: "just ignore that and look at 'the whole package' or 'the long view'. "

Well, I'm looking at the long view, and so far all I see are states falling, one by one, passing marriage amendments because Dems are silent. I take that as either an endorsement of the bigotry, or complete impotence and incompetence on how to counter the message coming out of the right wing.

That's when you know that civil equality is not a core value in this party."

http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2006/01/anti-gay-dem-tim-kaine-tapped-for.html

Yikes!

======

"Marriage between a man and a woman is the building block of the family and a keystone of our civil society. It has been so for centuries in societies around the world. I cannot agree with a court decision suddenly declaring that marriage must now be redefined to include unions between people of the same gender.

"Virginia defines marriage as being between a man and a woman and I strongly support that law. Regardless of the court ruling today in another state, I am confident that there is nothing in the Virginia or federal constitutions that would require Virginia to alter its longstanding policy about marriage." - Tim Kaine

http://sicsempertyrannis.blogspot.com/2005/02/tim-kaine-and-gay-marriage.html

[grantcart]

15. well I linked back to the sources and to their sources

and it appears that they thought he was gay bashing because the ran the following ad when he was running for Lt Governor:



Last week, the Kaine campaign debuted a radio ad, "Weak." As the title would suggest, the spot suggests that Kilgore is "too weak to lead Virginia." Has Kilgore done anything, more than most other politicians, to define himself as "weak?" That's not clear. What is clear is the throwaway line in the "Weak" spot: "Jerry Kilgore is not being straight." The Kaine camp fails to add the obligatory "with voters;" the ad simply observes, "Jerry Kilgore is not being straight," period.


Seems like they are making a lot out of a line "Kilgore is not being straight" because to me that just means he is not being a straight talker - like McCain.


More significantly, two and a half years ago he appears to be against both civil unions and same sex marriages. Not a surprise for a Southern Governor but I would be interested in seeing something more recent as there has been a great deal of change in the last 2 years. In California a poll taken 2 years ago showed that Californians were against same sex marriages and now they are for it.


Do you have anything more recent than these links?

http://www.washingtonblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=4540

[grantcart]

21. from the same article - again dated 2005

Only Kaine, a civil rights lawyer, has spoken in favor of granting certain rights to gay couples in long-term relationships. He said he supports the right of gay people in long-term relationships to enjoy the "civil benefits" available to married couples.

"I have never said I supported gay civil unions, gay marriages," Kaine told the AP last Friday. "I do believe that people shouldn’t be kicked out of their jobs or discriminated against because of who they are."

[Bluebear]

46. "I have never said I supported gay civil unions, gay marriages" - Ecch.

"I do believe that people shouldn’t be kicked out of their jobs or discriminated against because of who they are."

The above statement would be encouraging in, say, 1982.

[ruggerson]

37. The disturbing thing (other than supporting a state constitutional ban on same sex marriage)

is that he also is against gay couples adopting. Even weirder, he is okay with a SINGLE gay person adopting, just not a couple.

How can we bash McCain on this issue, if Obama picks a Veep who feels exactly the same way.

(I'm guilty of not having done my homework on Kaine. I didn't know any of this. Very disappointing.)

[grantcart]

38. The article which is more than 2 years old says that he is against gay adoptions

but then quotes him saying

But Kaine said that when he was a missionary in Honduras, he witnessed orphans who were treated "hellaciously." As a consequence, he would favor allowing individual gays or lesbians to adopt, so long as they create a loving environment, he said.


which would seem to indicate that he is in favor of gay adoptions.


Do you have any citation that actually indicates he is against gay adoptions?

[ruggerson]

42. He's against gay *couples* adopting

which is the same position McCain has.

He's ok with a single gay person adopting.

It's a very convoluted position.


"So here's where Kaine stands on gay adoption: "No couples in Virginia can adopt other than a married couple -- that's the right policy. Gay individuals should be able to adopt."

Huh? So it's better for a child to be raised by a single gay parent than by two gay parents?

Yes, he says, because the concern is "the legal status of what happens to the child if the relationship breaks up."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61737-2005Feb28.html

[TwilightGardener]

47. That makes no sense. Hetero couples split up all the time--unless

he thinks gays are simply not capable of long-term relationships as a group.

[ruggerson]

50. Well he was in favor of the constitutional amendment in VA banning marriage

so he's either pandering to the bigots or he has kind of troglodyte views on gay couples.

Hell, Schwarzenegger opposes the CA ballot amendment. Pretty sad when a Republican governor is better on a key cultural issue than a possible Democratic Veep.

[TwilightGardener]

52. That's odd, for a Democrat with a civil-rights background. Maybe it's

a political necessity in Virginia, but VA isn't THAT southern/fundie--at least that was my impression.

[grantcart]

60. If you read some of the other posts in the thread you will see that

He is very popular among GLBT Democrats in VA.

His first act as governor was to sign an executive order extending civil rights to gays (coincidentally it extends civil rights established by his father in law 35 years ago.

As you can see from this article the Governor did not shrink from this stand which was very unpopular in parts of Virginia and fought both the legislature and his attorney general.

http://hamptonroads.com/node/70241

RICHMOND - A gubernatorial ban on discrimination against gay applicants for state government jobs is unconstitutional, according to a ruling Friday by Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

Former Gov. Mark Warner and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine exceeded their authority when they signed executive orders adding sexual orientation to the state's nondiscrimination policy, McDonnell wrote in a seven-page legal opinion.

The attorney general noted that lawmakers earlier this month voted to kill a bill backed by Kaine that would have made his executive order a state law.

"He can't just say, 'To heck with the General Assembly. I'm going to sign an order,' " McDonnell said in an interview.

A spokesman for Kaine noted that McDonnell's ruling is advisory, and that the attorney general cannot force the governor to rescind his order.

"The governor is flabbergasted that the attorney general would opine that the governor cannot instruct his management team not to discriminate," said Kevin Hall.

Hall said Kaine believes his decision to expand employment protections to gay and lesbian workers is "not only morally right but legally proper." The spokesman emphasized that the executive order covers only agencies under Kaine's direct supervision.

"We're not presuming that this is the policy of the judicial branch or the legislative branch, although it certainly ought to be," Hall said.

Employment discrimination in state government was first prohibited in Virginia through an executive order in 1973 issued by former Gov. Linwood Holton, Kaine's father-in-law. Warner extended protections against discrimination to gay workers in December, a month before his term ended.

[TwilightGardener]

61. Well, that's a point in his favor.

[grantcart]

68. And all though he is personally against abortion he also fought for planned parenthood.

[Bluebear]

62. Good for Virginia GLBT Democrats, but we have far more attractive candidates

who have not engaged in such blathering propaganda-speak ("marriage between a man and a woman! the bedrock of social civilization!" :puke:

Not for me.

[grantcart]

67. Can you name a single "more attractive candidate" that once they took

office in a very conservative state took as their very first order of business guaranteeing the civil rights of gays?

A position that is not supported by the legislature and that is attacked by the state attorney general?


Yes its nice when progressive politicians in deep blue states take progressive positions but it actually is a lot more telling

when they take it states where it is deeply unpopular and he fights for it.

I'll be interested in seeing what illustrations you can provide of a recent Democrat that has taken a more unpopular progressive stand for Gay civil rights.

[Bluebear]

71. I'm not interested in pandering to "very conservative states" for my rights, thanks.

[Hippo_Tron]

75. Then you would've been railing against Al Gore in 1992

He was far worse as a TN Senator on gay rights than almost any Democrat now. But once he became VP he became far more progressive. He's even fully supportive of gay marriage now.

Tim Kaine is, IMO, 100% pro gay rights. But he's also a politician and has to pander to his constituency or he can't win an election. If he runs for VP, his constituency will no longer be Virginia it will be the entire country and you will see a dramatic shift in his positions.

[grantcart]

89. Then just stay with the facts

1) Kaine said some confusing things during a debate 3 years ago.

2) His first act as Governor was to extend civil right protection to people regardless of sexual protection

3) It was a very unpopular move in VA

4) He openly embraces the GLBT Democrats in VA

5) The GLBT Democratic group in VA (Partisans) seem to be very pleased with what he has done there.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

79. Who? Hillary? She has the very same position as Kaine...*against*

gay marriage!!

[ruggerson]

83. Who's talking about Hillary?

Only speaking for myself, but I don't think Hillary is the best choice for Obama, for a variety of reasons.

I'm not concerned about Kaine's stand on same sex marriage. It's standard Democratic quisling fence straddling.

I do wonder why he supported the constitutional ban on same sex marriage and why he opposes gay couples adopting kids.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

95. But, then who is suitable. Of all of the candidates for P and VP, the only one

who is for gay marriage is Kucinich. Everyone else is not. They are either for civil unions and against gay marriage--as is the case for Obama, Hillary, Biden; or they are BOTH against civil unions AND gay marriage, as is the case for Evan Bayh.

I believe that Kaine is against gay marriage but he's also against an amendment banning gay marriage. I don't see where he is against civil unions or adoptions. I could be wrong, but I don't see it.

[grantcart]

56. please see post 55

his first executive act as governor was to expand civil rights for gays.

He has the strong backing of Democratic Gays in VA


The signing of the ammendment bill seems to be a constitutional obligation for the governor but that he had the ability to shape the wording of the ballot measure.

[ruggerson]

84. grantcart, he ran against Kilgore

a far rightwing disaster.

Of course he was the preferred candidate for various GLBT groups. That doesn't mean he had their "strong" backing or that they think he is particularly good on their issues. Just that he was the lesser of two evils. Signing an exec order banning discrimination in state government is something that was occurring in the early 90's. Clinton did it on the federal level. And Kaine only did it, because Warner had done it before him.

I am open to the possibility that he may evolve if he becomes a national figure. But don't try to spin it that he has a good record on GLBT issues. Fact is, he supported a reprehensible ban on same sex marriage - a ban that Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger opposes. And Kaine holds the same pathetic position on gay adoption that McCain does.

We bash McCain for it, but now we support a potential Veep candidate with the same bigoted views?

It's really easy to sweep our concerns under the rug. It happens all the time. I understand the reality of that. But don't try to spin it. I recognize political reality and what can and cannot be accomplished. Kaine won't make me sit at home if he is the choice. But deal with reality here. Once again, we're being asked to possibly accept someone who has not been a strong advocate for human rights. Sad, but true.

[grantcart]

94. VA GLBT lists him as a "hero"

http://www.myspace.com/vapartisans

His first act as Governor was to sign and executive order expanding civil rights protection to Gays.

BTW Do you have anything more recent than the reference that came up 3 years ago in a candidate debate that Kaine is against gay adoption because I have been checking and cannot find anything that supports your point.

[Bluebear]

48. Oh good gravy, and if the single adopting parent dies, the child has nothing.

I've heard enough.

[grantcart]

58. It is clear that he has the strong support of VA gay community and this may be why

His first act as governor was to sign an executive order to include protection of civil rights to issues of sexual orientation.

It is not a popular fight in VA


RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Legislation to explicitly prohibit discrimination against homosexuals in state and local government employment practices was rejected by a Senate committee Wednesday.

The General Laws and Technology Committee voted 8-6 to kill the measure, which would have made a nondiscrimination order signed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine a permanent state law. It also would have expanded the policy to include local governments and school boards.

The bill would have barred employment discrimination based on race, gender, color, national origin, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, sexual orientation and veteran status.

In December, former Gov. Mark R. Warner amended his nondiscrimination executive order to add "sexual orientation." Kaine kept the language in the order he signed as his first official act after his inauguration Jan. 14.

Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, said her bill "makes equal opportunity a matter of legislative enactment as well as executive action."

Representatives of Virginia government employees and the gay-rights group Equality Virginia urged the committee to approve the bill, saying it had wide support among state workers and the general public.

Jack Knapp of the Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists said the state should not extend employment protections to gays.

"We feel the activity is against the teaching of word of God, and that settles it for us," Knapp said.

[grantcart]

49. It is definitely a convoluted position - no question about it

But that seems to be the position during a debate running for Governor in a Southern state that was very heavily Republican.


Do you have any links to what happened to 'his views' after he was elected or anything in the 3 years since?

[Bluebear]

64. "Governor Kaine Chooses To Appear With President Bush at Monticello"

http://hymes.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/governor-kaine-chooses-to-appear-with-president-bush-at-monticello/

"Charlottesville Prejudice and Civil Rights Watch" is not amused :)

[grantcart]

66. they simply listed his schedule without any comment what so ever

Not really surprising if your the governor and the president of the United States shows up for a naturalization ceremony that you would attend.

The "watch" also has an article next to it stating "Democratic Party don't call me and I won't call you"

so what is your point?

[grantcart]

69. please see replies down thread

the statements you cite were taken during the debate before the election.

After the election his first act as Governor was signing an executive order expanding civil right protections to gays.

It was unpopular in the legislature and attacked by the Attorney General as unconstitutional.

He is also the only Democratic governor to embrace the Democratic GLBT community who seem to embrace him with affection.


Details down thread.

[Bluebear]

72. 'the Democratic GLBT ..who seem to embrace him with affection.' OK, please cite all this affection

I don't know what interests you so much about this candidate, but please do elaborate about all this affection from the gay "community".

[grantcart]

73. I could care less who Obama picks for VP but I think its going to be Kaine and

I have seen how first impressions are made here and how they stick no matter how threadbare they are. We googled the same material and you picked over all of the recent actions that he took as governor that were taken at risk and would mean extending real legal protection to people regardless of sexual orientation and instead picked the odd things that came up during the debate.

I would prefer to get a progressive politician who takes moderate stands but unpopular stands in conservative states than a pure bread progressive that takes safe steps in a deep blue state.

In less than 1 minute I googled Kaine and gays and got this


http://vapartisans.org/?p=89


Governor Kaine helped celebrate the Partisan 15th Anniversary at the home or Mark Weinress and Tom Donegan on Saturday June 30th. This was the first time a sitting Governor attended a Partisans event. It was a great day or food, fellowship, fun and politics. Thanks to all who attend and celebrated with us.



Also expecting the "He is Pro Life" attack on him I google Kaine and planned parenthood and find this


Governor Tim Kaine continues to receive attacks from extremists like Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William), Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax) and the Virginia Family Foundation for his decision to cut funding for abstinence-only programs because they are not evidence-based. In her latest email, Victoria Cobb of the Virginia Family Foundation suggests that the Governor's decision was about politics and goes on to malign Planned Parenthood:

"The fact is that cutting this funding is nothing more than a political payoff to a liberal group that helps get Democrats elected and worked hard to give the Governor a majority in the state Senate.... Guess who will step into the void left by the departing abstinence programs - the one organization that is paid to go into our public schools and teach sex education and profits from the resulting risky sexual behavior."

Shame on the Virginia Family Foundation for playing politics with the health and safety of teens in Virginia. Research shows that programs that include abstinence and information on contraception and disease prevention are most effective.

Please act now to show Governor Tim Kaine that he made the right decision for Virginia families and teens!

Send a letter to: Governor Timothy Kaine (if you live in Virginia)

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Thank you for eliminating funding for ineffective abstinence-only programs



Dear Governor Kaine,

Thank you for taking a common-sense approach to sexuality education funding in Virginia by eliminating funding for ineffective abstinence-only programs.

In the last decade more than $1 billion has been wasted on dangerous abstinence-only programs that deny teenagers life-saving information. It's time to put that money toward real solutions that will help prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teenagers.




These are the kind of battles real progressives have to fight in areas like the south with large rural fundamentalist populations.

He will have a big impact on OH/IN/PA/NC/ and VA. He will be able to campaign in Spanish in places like Florida Texas and New Mexico.

He was born in MN, grew up in MO and lives as an adult in VA with his wife whose father signed the first civil rights act as Governor in VA 35 years ago.



edited to add


still waiting for you to provide a more courageous move by a politician in a conservative state to stand up and fight for the civil rights for gay citizens. Although since he made it his very first act as Governor I don't know how you would do better than that.

[Bluebear]

76. This is going in circles, I'm not about to research more "courageous" moves in conservative states

As I mentioned, my barometer for my rights is not a conservative state and what one has to do to pander to that constituency.

[grantcart]

55. Interestingly his first executive order was expanding civil rights for gays

And it is clear that he has the strong backing of VA gay Democrats



http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=14950

By Michael D. Shear and Chris L. Jenkins
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, December 17, 2005; Page A01

RICHMOND, Dec. 16 -- Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) on Friday quietly amended an executive order that for the first time explicitly bans Virginia state agencies from discriminating against gays in hiring and promotions.

The policy went into effect immediately, and a spokeswoman for Gov.-elect Timothy M. Kaine (D) said the incoming governor plans to continue the policy by signing the same executive order when he is inaugurated Jan. 14.


http://www.washblade.com/2006/1-27/news/localnews/ballot.cfm


The governor, although elected with the backing of most of the state’s gay groups, opposes gay marriage and civil unions. He has said he supports the first line of the amendment, which limits marriage to a union between one man and one woman.

But Kaine does not support the additional language, said Kaine spokeswoman Delacey Skinner, which also bans other forms of recognition that "approximate marriage."

"He was not comfortable with language," Skinner said last week. "He preferred language that was not as broad."

When asked if Kaine would try to amend the ballot language, Skinner said, "Right now he is talking to his staff to get the full briefing on procedural matters with constitutional amendments. I am sure that when we get to the point of actually having the bill on his desk that he will make clear what his plans are."



"Governor Kaine is committed to inclusiveness," he said. "Kaine showed that with his first act as governor signing Executive Order One."

Executive Order One prohibits sexual orientation discrimination against state employees.

A Kaine veto of the bill would be unprecedented, counterproductive and only symbolic since the veto can be easily overridden, said some observers.

"I think everyone would like to avoid a huge confrontation," said David Lampo of the Virginia Log Cabin Republicans. " would never prevent it from going on the ballot."

Del. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who is gay, said Kaine should try to amend the bill to ensure the ballot question is "transparent."

"I have never heard of a governor trying to stop enabling legislation for a constitutional amendment," he said.

[Maven]

85. He supported putting bigotry and exclusion in his state's constitution.

Fuck your apologist bullshit.

[grantcart]

96. Well you don't even bother reading before posting because it is obvious

that both the Republican and Democratic Gay lobby did not want Kaine to veto the measure, which would have been easily over run, and possibly unconstitutiontal.

They wanted him to try and influence the wording.


"Governor Kaine is committed to inclusiveness," he said. "Kaine showed that with his first act as governor signing Executive Order One."

Executive Order One prohibits sexual orientation discrimination against state employees.

A Kaine veto of the bill would be unprecedented, counterproductive and only symbolic since the veto can be easily overridden, said some observers.

"I think everyone would like to avoid a huge confrontation," said David Lampo of the Virginia Log Cabin Republicans. " would never prevent it from going on the ballot."

Del. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who is gay, said Kaine should try to amend the bill to ensure the ballot question is "transparent."

"I have never heard of a governor trying to stop enabling legislation for a constitutional amendment," he said.

[Maven]

99. You're spinning like a top

and not one GLBT person or ally here is buying it.

Look at the man's own words.

"Marriage between a man and a woman is the building block of the family and a keystone of our civil society. It has been so for centuries in societies around the world. I cannot agree with a court decision suddenly declaring that marriage must now be redefined to include unions between people of the same gender.

"Virginia defines marriage as being between a man and a woman and I strongly support that law. Regardless of the court ruling today in another state, I am confident that there is nothing in the Virginia or federal constitutions that would require Virginia to alter its longstanding policy about marriage." - Tim Kaine


If it were up to Tim Kaine, our recent victory in California would never have happened. If it were up to Tim Kaine, our advances in Massachussetts, Connecticut, and Vermont (TEN years ago!) would never have happened. Invoking the "activist judges" meme is a page right out of the right-wing playbook. Except for his lukewarm support for an anti-discrimination statute, Tim Kaine might as well be a Republican when it comes to GLBT rights.

[Maven]

86. They won't care.

But good try, my friend.

[grantcart]

98. Further evidence shows that the "gay baiting" charge was a completely bogus

charge against Kaine when he ran against the homophobic Kilgore who ran extensive ads against Kaine's "pro-gay" stands. Kaine took out the most homophobic politician in Virginia.

From the Washington Blade


http://www.washblade.com/2005/11-11/news/localnews/va-election.cfm

Gay Groups Cheer VA Elections

Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, solidly defeated Republican Jerry Kilgore 52 to 46 percent. Both candidates oppose gay marriage and civil unions, but Kaine backs workplace protection for gays and opposed the Marriage Affirmation Act, one of the country’s most strident laws stripping gay couples of legal protections.

“Jerry Kilgore ran a campaign that included gay bashing, immigrant bashing, and bashing Tim Kaine for his religious beliefs as a Catholic,” said Josh Israel, president of the Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club. “His defeat is a sign that the politics of division are not the way to go.”

clip

During the campaign, the Kilgore campaign ran ads saying that Kaine supported gay adoption. Kaine’s position is that the current law — which says the best interest of the child is the primary consideration, and allows single people and married couples to adopt — strikes the right balance, of the Kaine campaign.

As state attorney general, Kilgore said the Fairfax School Board did not have the authority to include sexual orientation discrimination in its non-discrimination policy.

But Kilgore’s supporters said it was Kaine’s campaign that engaged in “gay-baiting,” running a radio ad called “Weak” that suggested Kilgore is “too weak to lead Virginia” and says, “Jerry Kilgore is not being straight.”

This ad came on the heels of an anti-Kilgore Web site www.jerrytheduck.com that encouraged visitors to listen to an audio clip and “hear Jerry quack.” Some believe that this is an attempt to draw attention to Kilgore’s voice, which was described as “gay-sounding.”

A highly publicized discussion of whether Kaine is making fun of Kilgore’s rural accent, is actually about whether Kaine is making fun of Kilgore’s effeminate voice, Kilgore backers claimed.

An election eve appearance by President Bush seems not to have energized voters for Kilgore and may have instead motivated Kaine’s supporters.

Israel said that for the last three years, Kilgore has been the single biggest obstacle to gay and lesbian equality in Virginia.

[stratomagi]

7. I'd be happy with this. nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. Wouldn't object to Kaine being VP

[Mass]

9. What is his area of expertise? He has only been governor for 3 years.

He is pro-life, and is extremely boring, if his state of the Union response is a sign of what he can do.

There are nobody I particularly like among the choices proposed by the media, except Biden, but I do not see the attraction of Kaine. I can see Sebelius or Schweitzer, but difficult for me to see Kaine.

(The post is very nice, though).

[grantcart]

16. If I am correct then I think the expertise that he was referring to

is local and state government

[Mass]

20. I did not get it this way. I understood it as economical policies or other areas.

(which could be a governor with some experience of course, but I do not see Kaine this way). I may be wrong, but when I heard Obama, I thought it would disqualify Kaine, not the other way around.

This said, I can see how you would see it this way. Just not convinced he is the right man for the campaigning and the job

[grantcart]

25. and you certainly could be right but listening to him again I was struck

in that he seems to be stressing integrity and vision and then after Brokaw goes from another angle he comes back to the same thing.

Seemed like he was really stressing that part of it.

If it is Kaine and Obama does come out with a major initiative to help city and states it will be a huge body blow to McCain and the Republicans who should be working this issue but have all but abandonded closer working relations with cities and states.

[my3boyz]

53. We were at a graduation a couple of years ago and Tim Kaine

was one of the speakers. Anyway, after a while my stepdad said, "Who is this guy? He is so boring. I don't want to hear about his life. " LOL I honestly don't remember what he was saying but I did not think he was boring. It was just so hot outside thatI was thinking more about that than the graduation.

[cliffordu]

11. Once again, Grantcart,

Nice work - K&R!!

[Awsi Dooger]

13. It would really ease the last 3 months

Difficult to lose with that type of artificial boost in Virginia.

I'd be extremely impressed with Obama if he picked Kaine. Obama got the early decision right by choosing to run in '08, avoiding the bland and careful wait-my-turn crap. Then in mid campaign he properly emphasized every state, swiping delegates here and there. Now if he identifies Kaine in his final major decision it will tilt the electoral landscape and really put the GOP into Hail Mary mode.

Obama was anything but my first choice yet I love astute handicapping and he's demonstrated plenty.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. I was at an event here in Kansas last week and Kaine's mom was there

It was a fundraiser for Jim Slattery who is running against Pat Roberts. And the talk of the group was Kaine being high on the list for VP selections. Slattery said he wants to bring Kaine here to help him campaign but his schedule is up in the air until the VP selection is announced.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Minor detail

but Kaine actually grew up in Overland Park, Kansas. But he went to high school in Missouri and OP is part of the Kansas City area.

on edit, here's a link to his bio: http://www.ksdp.org/WashingtonDays

[grantcart]

22. even better it adds another state

He was born in Minnesota and has more 'home' states than Clinton.

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. When you live on the Kansas side of the Kansas City area,

Missouri is your home state too. :)

[darius15]

26. good post

but I'm pretty sure Kaine already declined

[saltpoint]

27. Welcome to DU, darius15. Was it Jim Webb who said he was not

interested in being considered?

I think Kaine might still be in the mix. Not sure.

[darius15]

29. thanks

and your right, the 2 other VA Dems said no (Webb & Warner)

I think Kaine is still in the mix.

[saltpoint]

31. darius, we promise to do far better under Obama than under Bush

as neighbors.

We tried twice to get Dubya out of office, but twice he cheated and sneaked in anyway.

Help is on the way. We're not all like George W. Bush. Honest! Thanks for your patience, and thanks for Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn, and Gordon Lightfoot as well.

[elkston]

28. Not a bad choice, but I want Hillary (or Biden)

C'mon Barack. We need Hillary so badly. She would kick ass as a surrogate and you know she will just own in the VP debates.

[grantcart]

30. good points and I would welcome either but he has his mind made up and

whoever he picks will be fine with me.

I just think that the tea leaves are pointing towards Virginia.

Welcome to DU

[davidinalameda]

41. let her be a surrogate

but she's not going to be VP

she would drag down the ticket but then again, I'm sure some of those pushing her for VP wouldn't mind seeing the ticket losing

[phrigndumass]

32. Seriously, you come from the year 2057, right? Just visiting to push us in the right direction?

You must have lived as a child of the McCain presidential era, when non-stop war pushed us into a military state and the economy drove the entire world into the Second Great Depression ... when hundreds of millions died from either military action or starvation, right?

Are you an android? :rofl:

I wouldn't be surprised if you are 100% correct!!! :thumbsup:

[saltpoint]

33. Yes. I think your theory bears literal prophecy.

The OP's posts on DU have been true delights.

If grantcart decides to do a series of posts on green bean casserole, I will by god read every word.

[phrigndumass]

34. LOL, me too!

But green bean casserole probably comes in the form of a pill in 2057. :7

(btw, grantcart and I are in cohorts)

:hi:

[saltpoint]

35. Oh. Sorry -- I didn't know. Eight years of dubya have left me

muddle-headed and confused.

All good wishes.:hi:

[Drunken Irishman]

36. Who's Andrew and Jen?

[MonkeyFunk]

39. The biggest problem is a silly one

but a real one: Obama/Kaine sounds like an anesthetic.

[VolcanoJen]

43. Ha!!!

Ya know what.... you're right!!

[MonkeyFunk]

51. Well, the BIGGEST problem is really

his anti-gay, pro-life positions, of which I was unaware until I read further into the thread. That's a deal-breaker.

[grantcart]

65. then you should re read the thread

His first act as Govenor was to sign an executive order extending civil rights to gays.

It was not popular and was challenged by both the legislature and the Attorney General who called them unconstitutional.

There are multiple sources showing that VA gays are enthusiastic about him and it is clear that he made their civil rights one of his highest priorities after getting elected.

He did come out against gay couples adopting (but not gay singles) three years ago in the middle of a close election campaign in a state with a substantial homophobic population.

The fact that the executive order signed by Governor Kaine was his first act as governor I think speaks volumes for his committment to GLBT.

He is also the only Democratic Governor in VA to publicly attend the Democratic GLBT group (the Partisans) and all indications are that the Democratic Gay community in VA consider him their advocate.


While he may be personally against abortion he has fought the Republicans on abstinence only

and fought for Planned parenthood
http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2008/02/planned-parenthood-funding-denied.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/12/AR2007111201716.html

Planned Parenthood of Virginia, which had lobbied for the change in policy, sent out a statement Monday praising Kaine for joining its nationwide campaign to eliminate abstinence-only programs, which urge youths to refrain from sex until marriage.



So to sum up


Planned Parenthood in VA and the Democratic GLBT alliance in VA both praise Governor Kaine.

You may want to reread replies up thread for more citations.

[nxylas]

101. Obama/Kaine for the soul

Before I sputter out.

[TwilightGardener]

40. I don't think Obama wants another Obama. This guy sounds like Obama

with a governorship. He doesn't "complement" Obama, he has almost the exact same resume. Being a governor doesn't automatically imbue you with economic expertise--look at Huckabee. And he's pro-life--that's not a deal-breaker for me, but he's going to have to reassure a lot of people that he will appoint appropriate SCOTUS justices in the event Obama dies.

[my3boyz]

44. Interesting! You have me convinced. :) Great analysis! nt

[BlooInBloo]

45. Interesting idea.

[highplainsdem]

54. I hope you're wrong, because I believe we need a unity ticket, Obama/Clinton, to unite the party.

We've seen solid arguments posted here in favor of all the possible VP choices -- it would even be possible to find some pluses for having Republican Ann Veneman on the ticket, if you're desperate to make a case for that. But none of the possibilities are standouts, or the overwhelming favorite among Democrats, like Hillary Clinton.

As long as I'm posting, I thought I'd mention that according to his schedule for next week, Kaine doesn't have anything scheduled for Wednesday, the day Obama will be in Missouri:

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/GovSchedule.cfm

At least not as of tonight.

So maybe he'll be in Missouri, and maybe he won't.

However, Claire McCaskill WILL be accompanying Obama that day, according to news stories, and her name has been floated as a possible VP, too. And since that has received media attention, and Missourians are presumably proud of their freshman senator and are aware she's been mentioned as a possible VP, Obama's announcing he prefers Kaine -- while he's making the rounds in Missouri with McCaskill -- might not play very well in that state.

[my3boyz]

57. He can't pick another female because Hillary fans would have a fit! nt

[highplainsdem]

63. I agree. I don't think he'll announce his choice this week. I think he'll wait till

the convention, and announce Hillary will be his running mate, and you'll have TV coverage of all those incredibly happy Clinton delegates.

I really don't see much advantage, at this point, to announcing his VP pick. To get it out of the way before the Olympics? That would just give the RNC time to start attacking the VP before the convention.

He's comfortably ahead of McCain in the polls, and while I don't expect the bounce from last week's world tour to continue, Obama will still be ahead in the polls (probably by several points) by the time of the Democratic convention.

And then, if Clinton is his running mate, you'll really see a bounce in the polls, as some early polling already showed -- having her on the ticket added from a few points to over ten points to his lead over McCain.

I don't think any other possible VP pick -- except Al Gore, who does not want the job -- could do that. It would be nice to see the Democratic convention end with a 15-20 point lead in the polls.

[scheming daemons]

87. Well... I *KNOW* you're wrong.... the party is already largely united.... "Unity Ticket" is dead

[thatsrightimirish]

59. his death penalty pardons may be an issue

not to say i disagree with them but they im just sayin

[grantcart]

70. Interesting video about Kaine

http://www.movingvirginiaforward.com/?gclid=CJ29tfWC4pQCFQv7agodnxc9SA

[RNdaSilva]

74. Good ad...

still reserving judgment. In re Kaine that is. But, for sure would help in carrying Virginia.

[jefferson_dem]

77. I'm hoping you're right.

Great post!

[davidpdx]

78. Thanks for providing all that information

I don't know much about Kaine, but he seems alright. The one thing I worry about is Obama having some military background and maybe a little foreign policy as well.

Those that are saying this is a close race are patiently lying including the media.

My hope is he picks someone that compliments him and brings some of the skills he doesn't have to the table. Personally I'm not pulling for one candidate or another (other then it not being Hillary, which I think it won't).

[nxylas]

80. Kaine would be a good choice

I'm wary of making predictions, though. Remember, back in the dim, ancient past of a week ago, how the punditocracy were all absolutely certain that McWhatsisname was going to announce his veep pick last Wednesday, in order to divert attention away from Obama's Europe trip? Don't think they were right, unless he announced it and nobody noticed or cared.

[BeyondGeography]

82. I've always felt he should go with a governor

Two Senators on the ticket is BAD news, it's hard enough to get one elected at the top of the ticket, let alone two.

Of the four governors I like (Schweitzer, Richardson, Sebelius and Kaine), Kaine does seem to be the best fit on the personal, political and geographical levels. Here's hoping you're right, grant.

K&R

[grantcart]

88. kick

[grantcart]

91. MSNBC: Obama ruling out Senators?

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/07/28/1228179.aspx
*** The big hint? Speaking of veepstakes, did Obama during his Meet the Press interview give a hint whom he WOULDN’T pick? Check out this line: “I'm going to want somebody with integrity; I'm going to want somebody with independence, who's willing to tell me where he thinks or she thinks I'm wrong; and I'm, I'm going to want somebody who shares a vision of the country where we need to go, that we've got to fundamentally change not only our policies, but how our politics works, how business is done in Washington.” Did he just rule out that he would pick a sitting Democratic US senator? Try and use that description Obama gave with Bayh, Biden, Clinton, or Reed? Now, try using it with Kaine, Sebelius, Nunn, or Hagel? Just sayin’… If Obama picks someone from the first group, he's going to have a tough time making the case that this person has shown a history of changing the way business is done in Washington. Frankly, it's tough naming any Washington player using that standard. As for McCain, it's amazing how convinced so many are in the media and in the GOP chattering class that the candidate has whittled his list down to two: Romney and Pawlenty.

[darius15]

93. I doubt that he ruled anything out in that line

the MSM always tries to turn any little thing into something big.

[paulk]

92. who?

That will be the reaction of 99% of the electorate.

If Obama thinks he can win this all on his own, then Kaine might be the pick. Is his ego that big? I don't think so.

Personally, I think he needs to choose someone with name recognition. It's going to take a united party to win this November, and picking a VP that most Democrats haven't even heard of, much less the rest of the world, is a sure path to defeat, IMHO.

[thoughtcrime1984]

97. When your day is done and you wanna run

O-Kaine. She dont lie, she dont lie, she dont lie......... O-Kaine!!

[TwilightGardener]

100. After watching the events unfold the last couple days, I have to wonder--

how does Kaine combat Obama's swiftboating? How powerful of an attack dog, a surrogate, would he be? Does he have credibility on the national stage to fight for Obama? This is why I think Biden is still a better choice.

[truebrit71]

102. Who?

n/t

[TwilightGardener]

103. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

[Douglas Carpenter]

104. Fine with me --- A.B.B. - ANYBODY BUT BAYH!!

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/bayh_as_veep_he_cochaired_wing.php

"In 2003, Bayh was an honorary co-chair of the neocon pro-war Committee for the Liberation of Iraq -- a group he joined along with none other than John McCain and Joe Lieberman, according to a press release from during the run-up to the invasion.

Check this out, from the group's press release on February 14th, 2003 (via Nexis):

The Committee for the Liberation of Iraq (CLI) is pleased to welcome Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) as an Honorary Co-Chairman. Bayh becomes the third U.S. Senator to join the committee after Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) announced their participation on January 28.

The Committee is a neo-con group that was formed to propagandize the country into war. It boasted such illustrious neocon members as Bill Kristol, former CIA director James Woolsey, and even McCain senior foreign policy adviser and Chalabi-bamboozler Randy Scheunemann, whom Josh has been blogging about.

Bayh would, to put it very charitably, muddle Obama's message. It's true that Bayh was said to have subsequently removed himself from the group. But Obama's campaign is partly about -- and rightly so -- the judgment he made, and others didn't, in the run-up to the invasion.

The McCain campaign and the Repubs would have a grand time mocking the choice. Indeed, the McCain camp is already trying to make an issue of Bayh's past."."

[Barack_America]

105. Further proof it will be Kaine...

For the record, I'm for Kaine through and through. But I'm sure that comes as no surprise. ;)

Here's the link to the thread I started a little while ago regarding Kaine's assets.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6345519&mesg_id=6345519

There was a great discussion about the good (and the bad) there.

Also, here's my favorite quote from Obama regarding Kaine:

"There was one person, who about three days after I announced, was willing to stand with me in the seat of the old Confederacy ... and say that the time for change has come."

"He's a man with the courage of his convictions ... somebody who like myself practiced civil rights law. Somebody who's shown the ability to manage a city and now manage a state. ... There are a lot of people who are your allies, and a lot of people who you've got commitments to. But you don't always have a lot of friends. The governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia is my friend."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/05/obama_praises_webb_and_kaine.html

If that doesn't just seal the deal that it's going to be Kaine, I don't know what could. It's practically word-for-word what he said he's looking for in a veep.

[grantcart]

106. I, obviously, agree but great links thank you