Tim Kaine: The Should-Be Running Mate
August 20th, 2008 by Matt IngogliaA couple weeks back, I published this as a Facebook note. I’ve edited it a bit to reflect changes since it was first written, but otherwise this is identical. Here goes:
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These days we’ve been hearing a lot about the possible running mate choices for Barack Obama. Given that the campaign has kept its selection process extremely quiet, one needs to remember that any rumor about Obama’s preferences is hearsay at best. All the talk notwithstanding, I believe that Obama needs a governor to add executive experience to his resume, and could best do that by selecting Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.
Being a popular swing state governor is enough to land a spot on anyone’s short list, but Kaine is so much more than that. In his short political career he’s proven himself an affable and level-headed executive who has no problem delivering critical voting blocs. For Obama, the Virginian would balance out his Chicago roots and help the ticket’s efforts to appeal to the white working class residents of Appalachia. In contrast to Obama’s sometimes bombastic nature, Kaine’s calmness and intelligence ensures that he will stay on message and avoid dangerous gaffes.
It would be dangerous to assume that Kaine’s calmness hampers his ability to attack the opposition. Anyone who watched Kaine unexpectedly win the governorship in 2005 knows he is more than qualified to go after the Republican machine. Pulling off an upset victory anywhere is notable. But for a Virginia Democrat, it’s remarkable.
Finally, I’m a big believer in synergy. Clinton/Gore succeeded because of the chemistry between the candidates, and Obama/Kaine would present a formidable challenge for McCain. A true believer in progressivism, Kaine’s policies mirror the positions of Obama. His early endorsement of Obama helps highlight this commitment, and it’s something the Obama team should consider. His qualities strengthen the ticket’s selling points, shore up its weaknesses, and would signal that Obama is serious about addressing the needs of working-class Americans.
Tags: Kaine, Veepstakes
August 21st, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I don’t think Tim Kaine is a good idea. Yeah, he reinforces the outside-of-Washington “Change” aspect of Obama’s campaign and he would help him in Virginia. But he has even less experience than Obama. He’s been governor for 2 and 1/2 years, and before that, he was Lieutenant Governor, which is like being a secretary.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I disagree on the experience charge. Sure he’s no Clinton or Biden or Dodd, but Governor of Virginia is well-known as one of the more powerful governorships in the country (in contrast to Texas, where all the Governor does basically is issue death warrants). Plus he’s been around for a while and served as Mayor and Councilman in Richmond. He knows what he’s doing. Still though, if picked it will be because of his change attributes.
I’d say he’s probably the pick if Obama went with a “change” candidate. If he picked based on “experience” it’s probably Biden, or maybe Clinton.