Virginia is the only state in the nation that limits its governor to a single term. This means that Gov. Tim Kaine can’t seek re-election. However, that’s not to say Kaine won’t have an effect on this year’s campaign between Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell.
Historically, sitting governors, their record and how popular they are strongly influence the choice of their successor. In 2001 Mark Warner was running against Mark Early. It was a tight race, and it was dissatisfaction with the sitting Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore, and that year’s budget battle, that helped sway voters to support Warner.
Later in 2005, Kaine benefited heavily from Warner’s popularity. Warner, who at the time was considering a run at the White House, put a lot of time and effort into helping Kaine win his race against Republican Jerry Kilgore.
This year Virginia Democrats were hoping that once again this kind of legacy approach to campaigning would be on their side. However, it’s not shaping up that way. Though Kaine isn’t necessarily a liability to the Democratic campaign, he’s not an asset either.
One reason for this is the absence of a substantial Kaine legacy. Whereas Warner could point to several accomplishments at the end of his term, much of the Kaine administration has been characterized by the number of proposals that never made it into law.
Transportation is a good example. Kaine ran on a transportation platform, but each of his initiatives, including the ill-fated 2007 transportation bill, ran aground. Kaine blamed the Republicans in the General Assembly. This may be partially true, but the governor’s confrontational approach to his relations with the assembly didn’t help matters.
The governor has also taken some heat for the way he has managed the state’s budget shortfall. One of the most public cutbacks was his decision to shut 19 of the state’s 43 rest stops. This has included two stops just south of Washington on Interstate 95 and one on Route 66 near Manassas.
This was a political decision designed to embarrass some Republican members of the legislature in an election year. Neither candidate for governor supported closing the stops.
What’s more, though Kaine might have hoped this decision would help him politically, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The reaction on the part of motorists has been one of confusion and annoyance.
Kaine presents another problem for Virginia Democrats. Deeds has faced questions from his opponent and the media about his position on several Obama administration initiatives including cap and trade, a particularly sensitive issue in the Virginia coalfields, and health care.
Deeds’ reaction has been to put some political distance between himself and the president. In a normal year, that wouldn’t be too difficult, but Kaine is also the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
As such he is now a regular voice on behalf of national Democrats and the president. Though this doesn’t affect the Deeds campaign directly, the constant reminder that the current Democratic governor is so closely tied to the president doesn’t help.
Though Deeds’ name may be the one on the ballot, Kaine also has a lot riding on this election. As chairman of the national party, he knows that a loss in Virginia so soon after a Democratic win in 2008 would be an embarrassment both to the party and the administration.
He also knows that to some degree, the outcome of this election, and just how difficult a race it turns out to be for the Democrats, would also be a reflection on his tenure in office.
Examiner Contributor David S. Kerr lives in Alexandria.
