2008.07.31
Kaine's shortfalls counter benefits
Tim Kaine for vice president?
He played that one right.
The Virginia governor had absolutely nothing to lose -- and everything to gain -- when he became one of the first governors in the nation to back Barack Obama over then-front-runner and presumed nominee Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential race.
"I didn't endorse Senator Obama to get anything or get appointed to anything," Kaine said this week.
Maybe not, but his name is rumored to have landed on Obama's short list for vice president.
Kaine is an impressive politician. In a GOP-dominated state, he rose rapidly from city councilman in Richmond, to lieutenant governor and then governor. With some aid from the blundering George Allen, he helped Jim Webb capture what had looked like a safe GOP U.S. Senate seat.
But let's be real. While Kaine has made no major mistakes, he has no significant achievement as governor. Is he the default pick because Webb wants to stay put?
And let's be honest: A front-runner with limited national and international experience such as Obama needs someone with more heft than Kaine.
His appeal to Obama, of course, is that Kaine reigns over a state in play, and one that Obama is making an all-out push to win.
Virginia hasn't gone to a Democratic presidential candidate in more than 40 years.
Virginia voters handed Obama one of his most impressive primary victories. Did Kaine help with that? You bet'cha.
Obama's showing in Virginia also was helped because Clinton barely competed here. Her plan was to have the nomination wrapped up by Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, before the Virginia primary occurred. Oops.
Kaine, who became friends with Obama during the 2005 gubernatorial race, campaigned across the country for the Illinois senator during the primaries. He also is national co-chairman of Obama's campaign.
The governor and his staff have spoken extensively with Obama and his campaign about strategy and operations in Virginia, and the governor said he plans to attend the Democratic convention in Denver next month.
So if Kaine didn't plot a promotion to Washington, he's a guy for whom the political stars have aligned perfectly. That's a pretty good thing for a politician limited by law to one term. Kaine, of course, is understandably mum about his prospects to join the national ticket.
But just because his name occupies a spot on the short list doesn't mean he's the right man for the job.
A Cabinet post perhaps?
Sorry, to disagree with you Shanna. Whomever future President Barack Obama selects will be the right candidate for the VP slot, and I think Governor Kaine would make an excellent choice; although, I thought Senator Webb might be a more capable choice initially, because of his military background and the military's logistical capability on future fronts. Of course, President Obama would still have access to this sort of information via Mr. Webb and a host of other "fresh-eyed advisors". It's no mistake that Mr. Obama is earning this extremely vital role in America's destiny because of what he has to offer in intellect, and who he is as an individual and genuine American, without a train load of baggage to fog up his outlook in America's role on the world scale of tomorrow. Therefore, if Governor Kaine is selected as his running mate, it will be because of the synergy between the two gentlemen, thus, a solid foundation. I believe the USA and the world will witness Mr. Obama's uniqueness and vitality as the most qualified to accept the office of the Presidency after one or two debates with the GOP nominee, who can only bring more of the same, old, tired, bankrupt, GOP philosophy. I believe it will be a replay of Kennedy vs Nixon with more of an obvious and very analytical difference.
Comment by Bobby Buck — July 31, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Dear Ms Flowers,
I find it priceless that you write off Govenor Kaine,
for the same reasons that many of us are wairy Senator Obama.
Came out of no where?
Has no back ground?
No record ?
Ms Flowers this is the "pot
calling the kettle black" as it were.
Comment by Dona Wheeler/Roanoke — July 31, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Bobby, I know you really like Obama, but the marshmallow doesn't look quite as impressive once it comes out of the microwave and stands by itself.
And Shanna did speak a bit to Obama's limited experience, "And let's be honest: A front-runner with limited national and international experience such as Obama needs someone with more heft than Kaine."
The only benefit to me of a Kaine VP would be Kaine-not-governor-of-Virginia. But I don't believe Kaine would have a national recognition that Obama would need. Obama probably needs someone with a bit more recognition.
Comment by Ed S. — July 31, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
I am really shocked that Kaine is getting such attention as a VP, unless it's a diversion as Shanna mentions later. He doesn't have any signature accomplishments as governor, and his popularity ratings are not much over 50%. Perhaps most important, most base Democrats in Virginia have written him off so I doubt he would generate much excitement. I've long thought that Sam Nunn was the ideal VP pick for Obama. Evan Bayh and Kathleen Sebelius would be good picks also. I don't see Kaine being in same league as any of these persons as a political talent or asset to the Obama ticket.
I thought Nunn, as well. He was a prominent, moderate and well-respected Democrat, steeped in defense and head of Armed Services or one of those military-related congressioinal committees. Additionally, he's from another southern state in play, Georgia.--s
Comment by VaGuy — August 1, 2008 @ 8:24 am
Clarification to ED on why Barack Obama will be the next President of the USA: It will not hinge on the vp selection, nor if a vp candidate can win a state, or the demographics (red/blue states), special interest groups...race/gender,(what Hillary was counting on) religion, or class. It will be simply his showing America that he, through his leadership, can compose the team necessary to lead the country into the future based on historical assessment. McCain will not be able to do it(does not possess the vigor and vitality to globe hop for eight years), not to mention too much political baggage and too closely associated with a now globally mistrusted party/ administration. If the electorate can't see this obvious factor; then, they will be what the world will assess about America...a xenophobic pariah. As no man can be an island and survive, the omen also applies to a nation.
Comment by Bobby Buck — August 1, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
"It will be simply his showing America that he, through his leadership, can compose the team necessary to lead the country into the future based on historical assessment."
He has failed miserably in showing me such leadership. As an educated engineer who has written my share of Statements of Work and am responsible for ensuring contract fulfillment is documented, I'm not impressed by flashy showings or empty talk.
But maybe he can compose the "winning team". I'm sure that the Illinois Daleys can show him many ways of getting ahead in politics.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't see McCain as some great white hope. I think they both stink. I just find it funny that everyone has jumped on the Obama fairy dust wagon as though he's going to bring "change" that will have us singing kumbaya as we sip frappuchinos with poor youth who are now wealthy.
He's running for the *executive* branch. And "change" has been a slogan long before he came around (remember Bill Clinton, the other black President?). I'm sure it was used as a slogan before him, too.
Charisma does not necessarily indicate he is going to do a great job.
Comment by Ed S. — August 2, 2008 @ 10:43 am
IF O'Sammy O'bammy wins, it will be because of only TWO reasons. (1)George Bush, and (2)he will get 2000% of the black vote while all the white voters stay home.
Of course, you realize that blacks, like union workers and others, tend to vote overwhelmingly Democratic anyway. So if you're implying blacks will turn out for Obama solely because he's black, you might want to revisit that thread of what I will loosely call logic.--s
Comment by Percy Kution — August 2, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Just plain common sense. Blacks will vote for him because he's black, and you can't blame them because it's the first time they've had a chance to vot for a black man in a national election. And a lot of whites who wouldn't vote, and absolutely don't WANT to vote for McBush, WILL turn out and vote just to vote AGAINST O'sammy O'bammy. Elections are not won by people voting for who they like. They're won by people voting AGAINST who they DON'T like, and this election will be a perfect example of that because there is NOTHING to vote for. George Bush may win the election for O'bammy and lots of other Democrats.
Common sense? Folks cloak parochialism in anything these days, don't they?--s
Comment by Percy Kution — August 2, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
And speaking of Logic, what would be the logic in support of the statement that all of the white voters would be staying home? I, for one, won't be sitting this one out, despite what i have viewed so far as an underwhelming selection of candidates to choose from.
Comment by Mike — August 2, 2008 @ 8:47 pm