Raising Kaine in Virginia

When Virginia Governor Tim Kaine took the stage at the Virginia Democratic Convention today, my stomach was growling. I realized that I had made a severe strategic error in bringing only one of the kids' packets of goldfish as an emergency snack. You see, there really wasn't much food available unless you were a delegate. The press room contained only water and styrofoam cups. (We *must* talk Virginia Democrats!)

One of the Washington Post reporters followed up on a rumor that there was indeed a snack machine on the other side of the coliseum, but she returned to inform us that it contained no diet soda and no FOOD.

I later ended up buying a cup of coffee (again in Styrofoam) and a mini muffin. Total = $3.00.

I bring this up because those who know and love me understand that I get really bitchy when I'm hungry. I like to blame it on the diabetes, but I'm definitely not pleasant to be around. So it was a surprise that I enjoyed Tim Kaine's talk and Q&A so much.

I do, however, think my hunger bitchiness explains why I finally took my press pass and my big ass camera and parked myself on the floor in front of the first row of delegates and just under the podium where Kaine was speaking. You know, with the professional photographers. I now have some excellent photos of Tim Kaine's nose hairs. (Tim, they do make personal trimmers these days....) But I digress. You want to know what he actually said. Oh, right.

I have to admit I was almost looking for something to pick at. Kaine annoyed me with his pro-life viewpoints during his run for Governor and Virginia just executed a man a few weeks ago.

Nice Democratic values, Governor.

But Tim Kaine didn't try to hide his stance on abortion in the last election. (Of course, why would he? Being pro-choice is sort of a liability in Red Virginia.) He also campaigned on the idea that, while he opposes capital punishment, he would uphold the law in Virginia. It's complicated being a Southern Democrat.

Of course, Tim Kaine managed to fire up the crowd during his talk, perhaps even a bit more than Jim Webb. At one point, a large group of delegates started chanting "Yes, we can!" But most of the speech was what we'd just heard from Webb and would hear later from Warner. Rah rah Democrats! (Not that this is a bad thing. This was, after all, the Democratic Convention.)

"Yes, we can!"

Once again, the Q&A Press Scrum was where the interesting stuff happened.

In response to a fabulous question about why the Obama camp thinks that Virginia is in play for this Presidential election, Kaine hit on 3 key points:

Changing demographics in Virginia
Virginians are unhappy with the current administration
Virginians like what they've seen in their Democratic leaders

The demographics in Virginia are changing. The population in Blue/Purple Northern Virginia continues to increase at much higher rates than the rest of the state. Plus, 20% of Virginia's population is black, but registered to vote at much lower rates. Democrats have been coming out in droves to register this year and the Obama campaign and the Virginia Democratic party are putting a lot of emphasis on voter registration drives.

In discussing why Virginians are unhappy with the GWB administration, Kaine mentioned Iraq, the economy, and U.S. energy policy (or lack thereof). In contrast, Kaine pointed out that the Democrats elected to the Senate and the Governor's office in the last 7 years have been immensely popular. I supposed it also doesn't hurt that the 3 most prominent Democrats in the state have all been bandied about as potential VP candidates. Hell, at one point Warner was discussed as a candidate for President. Virginians, like all people, enjoy it when their elected officials are well respected nationally.

Now for the VP question. (C'mon, you knew I wasn't going to let that one slip by.) Despite his friendship with Barack and Michelle Obama, Kaine claims that he feels he can best help Obama get elected by staying right where he is in the Governor's mansion.

If you're keeping track, that's 2 down and 1 to go.

More to come tomorrow.....

Other posts from the Virginia Democratic Convention:

McCain Could Learn Something from Webb

From Red to Blue in Virginia?

When Stephanie isn't running around the convention floor in high heels or elbowing her way into a press scrum, she writes non-political stuff at Lawyer Mama. You know, in her "spare" time.