Despite a tongue-in-cheek video released by the Republican Party of Virginia “welcoming” former Gov. Tim Kaine back into the 2012 U.S. Senate race, Gov. Bob McDonnell and former Gov. George Allen both said Friday that Kaine would be a strong candidate if he chooses to run.
To the tune of “Welcome Back, Kotter,” the video shows newspaper headlines from the end of Kaine’s tenure as governor, and ones highlighting GOP gains in Virginia during Kaine’s time as head of the Democratic National Committee.
Kaine is still weighing a decision on whether to enter the race, and both Allen, who is pursuing the seat himself, and McDonnell told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he would be a strong opponent.
“I think all eyes are on Tim Kaine,” said longtime Democratic strategist Mo Elleithee. “If he does decide to run, I think you’ll see people very quickly rally behind him.”
“Kaine watch” notwithstanding, former Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Va., has also generated significant buzz among grassroots activists in Virginia, and recently told the Washington Post he’d consider running, but that he’d like to see Kaine jump into the race.
By no means an exhaustive or scientific poll, but worth mentioning — the “Draft Tom Perriello” facebook page had nearly 800 “likes” as of Friday, compared to less than 400 for the “Draft Tim Kaine” page.
