President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday introduced his new Democratic National Committee chairman, Tim Kaine, to a nation that principally knows the Virginia governor as a campaign-trail surrogate and vice-presidential finalist.
In a Washington press conference filled with alliteration, Obama said the two shared a “pragmatic, progressive philosophy” and would build on the electoral success of outgoing Chairman Howard Dean. Kaine, in turn, promised to be a “passionate and positive promoter of the president’s agenda.”
“It’s his belief that politics is about something more than what all too often it’s become in Washington,” Obama said. “It’s not about enriching corporate friends or feeding partisan disputes or getting your name in the paper, but about the dignity of service.”
In his home state, Kaine’s assertion that he can simultaneously carry out his duties as governor amid a recession while heading the president’s party continues to draw skepticism.
Virginia faces an at least $3 billion shortfall in its two-year budget, and a governor is expected to be closely involved in the process to close that gap. Critics challenge the notion that Kaine’s new job won’t distract him from the crisis in Richmond.
Kaine has pledged to do the job part time until the end of his term early next year.
He shot down rumors last year that he would accept the DNC chairmanship, claiming he couldn’t successfully juggle both tasks.
“The big question is, if he had such reservations back in October, what’s changed?” said Del. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights.
Cox said the budget process will require the governor and Republican legislators to work together, and “that becomes a lot more difficult when you know his number one job as DNC chair is to beat you.”
Kaine was the first governor outside of Illinois to endorse Obama’s presidential bid, and toured the nation on Obama’s behalf during the campaign. His name was frequently mentioned on the short list of potential running-mate picks.
