Not JK related - Kaine and the SOTU

[Mass]

Yesterday, the Democratic Leadership has announced that Tim Kaine (VA) would answer to the State of the Union. Since then, a number of voices have raised, from ecstatic (those who think that we have to talk to religious people and that Kaine, winner of an election in a blue state, is the right people), to disappointed (those who thought that a tougher speaker (like Murtha - See Arianna's post, but she is not alone- http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0120-29.htm) should do it to people who are just doubtful that Kaine can deliver and remember Gary Locke disappointing answer (see Ezra Klein's blog this morning http://ezraklein.typepad.com/ ).

I can understand the reason of this choice (showing people who are not already solid Democrats that there is a place for them in the party) even if I do not necessarily agree with the particulars (after having read Wallis, I had serious questions about while we have to speak about "religious values" rather than about "values").

I have only heard Kaine speak once, and it was during his debate for the governatorial race last fall. I have to say that, while I started to listen to him with a lot of doubts, I changed my views of him during this debate. He came out a lot better than Carlson debating Coburn or Tennenbaum debating Vitter, IMO. However, I have never seen him giving a stump speech or a national address like that.

Can people from VA or people who have seen him on a stump speech or delivering the State of the State before tell us what they think about this choice?

[JI7]

1. personally, i thought Wes Clark should have done it

but i'm not sure if they only have elected officials to respond to it. while people wanted Murtha to respond because of the war issue, he is usually on the Republican side on the other issues which also matter.

i wont watch the Chimp but i will try to catch Kaine and hopefully he does well and gets across the Dem side in an effective way.

[beachmom]

2. I guess I'll reserve judgment until I hear him speak.

He will definitely come across as a more moderate voice, which may annoy the base, but might perk up the ears of Independents and swing voters in this country. He actually won my city, Virginia Beach, which is very red and went for * in '04, so he definitely has crossover appeal. But how is he going to talk about Iraq and national security? Oh well, it's just one moment, and as you said, he can speak of his faith quite comfortably (and okay, I'm feeling a little Virginia pride that our guy was picked!!).