Tim Kaine for Senate Kickoff Video

Kaine resigns from DNC, effective immediately (0.00 / 0)

April 5, 2011
Dear DNC Members,

I am writing to let you know that I have just announced my decision to run for the U.S. Senate from the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2012.  To that end, I am stepping down as DNC Chair, effective immediately.  In the coming days, I will share some thoughts on my decision to run, my appreciation for the opportunity you gave me to serve as your Chair, and what we were able to accomplish together.  In the meantime, I am sure you will be as supportive of the President's choice to replace me as you have been of me for the past two years.  There will be more information about this important transition to follow.   I will treasure the friendships I've made during my time at the DNC, and hope that we will maintain those friendships in the years ahead.  It is an exciting time for the DNC.  It is also an exciting next chapter for my family and me, as I embark down a new path on which I hope to serve as one of Virginia's U.S. Senators.   Thank you for your hard work and support along the way and for all that you will do in the months and years ahead.

With gratitude,

Tim Kaine

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 17:24:11 PM UTC

Say what you will about about him (4.00 / 1)

That is a slick video.

Nice way to kick it off.

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by: aznew @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 17:31:27 PM UTC

Agreed. (0.00 / 0)

n/t

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 17:34:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And doing the whole video in Spanish was pretty neat (0.00 / 0)

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by: Hugo Estrada @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 17:35:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

glad they took the time to do it right (4.00 / 1)

and not bend to the desire of the 'masses' to rush a decision/announcement

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by: NWVirginian @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 18:42:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I agree that both videos are (0.00 / 0)

slick, and very smart to have a Spanish video as well as the English version.  Kaine still doesn't excite me and I think we have a long row to hoe in Virginia with Tim Kaine as the Senate candidate.

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by: pontoon @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 17:44:15 PM UTC

Would I have prefered Periello? (0.00 / 0)

Sure, but I can put my feet to the pavement for Kaine.

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by: mikefromArlington @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 18:11:02 PM UTC

Brian Moran essentially endorses Kaine (0.00 / 0)

I am pleased that my friend Tim Kaine has decided to bring his strong record of results-oriented leadership to a campaign for the U.S. Senate. As Governor he made Virginia the best state for business, the best-managed state and the best state in the country to raise a child for lifetime success, and he will make a fantastic candidate to replace Senator Jim Webb.

This campaign will provide offer a real contrast between Democratic leadership that puts working families first, and a slate of Republican candidates that are running on a Tea Party platform that has more to do with proving who has the most radical ideas than it does with making people's lives better. No matter which candidate wins the Tea Party nomination, I am looking forward to having a real conversation with Virginians about who offers them the best shot at a Commonwealth that is more equal, more just and more prosperous for all.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 18:22:34 PM UTC

I wonder if Allen or Radtke will put something out in Espanol? (0.00 / 0)

Haha, just kidding....They'd be crucified by the Tea Party :)

Tim Kaine knows what he's gotta do to win statewide against a very formidable opponent like Allen who also has statewide experience.  And I think a major question for people can be: Which candidate ran a better state when they were in charge?  Sure, Tim made a few mistakes which progressives weren't pleased with BUT looking at it in comparison to Allen I think the choice is pretty clear.  

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by: DanielK @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 18:27:27 PM UTC

Sure, the choice is clear. (0.00 / 0)

between Allen and Kaine.  However, were we given a choice to have the best candidate?  I don't think so.  But I'll support Mr. Kaine if a better candidate doesn't primary him.

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by: pontoon @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 18:34:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes (0.00 / 0)

There is no question about it as to who the best candidate is between the two. In fact, I can't think of a Democratic candidate who would be worst than Allen.

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by: DanielK @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 18:43:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wonder who (0.00 / 0)

will take over as DNC Chair?

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by: VADEM @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 18:43:18 PM UTC

Mark Warner statement (0.00 / 0)

Tim Kaine is a rarity in modern politics: He listens more than he talks, and he builds bridges where others seek to divide us. I have known and admired Tim since we first met in law school more than 30 years ago. Tim was a great working partner when he served as Virginia's Lieutenant Governor and Governor. He is a great friend and a proven leader, and I would welcome his partnership in the U.S. Senate on behalf of all Virginians.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 19:40:40 PM UTC

Now that's a bone fide endorsement.... Brian Moran's statement, Ugh ! (0.00 / 0)

Once again, the DPVA and especially the chair have only reconfirmed their irrelevance. Does Brian actually write the stuff he puts out or does he pay a staffer to write that nearly meaningless junk ?

Personally, after viewing the video in both English and Spanish (my Spanish is very basic, rudimentary but even I could get pretty excited about the Kaine campaign after viewing both videos. My own personal initiative this year and next is Latino Outreach, and if I can get a few dozen CD copies of the video in Spanish I think I can recruit a few dozens Latinos in my western PWC area who would happily sign up to be volunteers, and maybe even donate some cash.

I just made my request for a free Kaine bumper sticker and hope to be the first in my neighborhood to display it on my vehicle.

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by: Tom @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 20:05:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Looking Past NOVA....... (0.00 / 0)

Kaine's nomination probably has the most pontial payoff in the Richmond suburbs, which is a good thing.  With Obama at the top of the ticket, you can see both running up big margins again in Henrico and limiting the fallout from Chesterfield, and carrying the city of Richmond BIG!  The demogrpahic changes ocurring in the Richmond suburbs are on-going and it is really helping the dems out there.    

During Kaine's last two statewide runs, the Richmond suburbs, and more conservative parts of the city of Richmond, gave Kaine a ton of extra votes, helping him to statewide victory, especially among independents who were impressed with his leadership on the city counsel, and then as mayor.

And these are the very voters who can put the nail in George Allen's coffin.  So while some of us might not be that happy from a philosphical standpoint, Kaine's candidacy makes it extremely difficiult for Allen to win this race.  And at this point, that trumps philosophy.  

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by: BatCave @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 20:17:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Felix Macacawitz campaign weighs in... (0.00 / 0)

...with a typically idiotic, yet utterly predictable, statement. Yawn.

After being convinced by his liberal allies in Washington to run, Chairman Kaine's announcement today sets up a clear contrast for the families of Virginia. Whether comparing records and ideas for the future on job creation and innovation, tax and regulatory policy, energy, or protecting Virginia's right to work laws, the differences are clear.

George Allen stands for responsible, smarter government and helping families keep more of what they earn. Allen made job creation his number one priority, resulting in a record number of private sector jobs and investment in Virginia. He also worked to keep the Internet free of taxation while sponsoring meaningful reforms for Washington like the balanced budget amendment, line-item veto authority and paycheck penalty for Congress.

While Chairman Kaine may try to paint a different picture of his tenure as Governor, it was marked by his proposals calling for staggering tax increases and by substantial job losses for Virginians. As Chairman, Kaine stood with his liberal Washington allies like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi as they imposed their harmful agenda on Virginia and America, making trillion dollar deficits the norm and loading our children with the burden of an unprecedented national debt.

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid may be friends of Chairman Kaine, but they are no friends of Virginia families and job-creating business owners. While we know he will look to his Washington allies for help and guidance in his campaign, George Allen will continue to listen to the families of Virginia and work hard to earn the right to represent their voices, views and values in the U.S. Senate.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 20:50:23 PM UTC

More Republican'ts react (0.00 / 0)

per The Shad Plank, here's Cooch's statement. As always, the answer to all things in life is to "lower taxes." In fact, I hear that "lower taxes" will cure the common cold AND cancer, not to mention fund a world-class infrastructure, education system, military, etc. Oh wait, they won't? Well, then, back to bashing gays, women, science, etc. Ah, Republicans, gotta love 'em.

Our nation is facing some tough problems and we need a Senator who will work to lower taxes, a person with a trackrecord of reducing the the size of government, and who will find ways to help grow our economy.

Unfortunately, those principles are not ones that Tim Kaine shares. As Governor he worked to raise taxes, increase the size of our government, and as President Obama's top cheerleader, he has supported every effort to grow the size of our federal government while raising our national debt to record levels.

During Tim Kaine's term as Governor, transportation problems in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads just kept getting worse. Virginians spent hours sitting in traffic while he argued that we needed to raise taxes (in an unconstitutional manner) to fix the problem. But once he left office and audits of VDOT were conducted we learned that Tim Kaine left of $1 billion sitting at VDOT instead of fixing our roads. That's not the kind of leadership we need in Washington. Virginians deserve much better than Tim Kaine.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 20:53:44 PM UTC

Jim Webb's statement (0.00 / 0)

I welcome Tim Kaine's decision to enter this race and I will do everything I can to support his successful election to the U.S. Senate.  Tim Kaine has served the people of Virginia with distinction for more than 20 years.  He is a leader who possesses the intelligence, temperament and judgment to be an effective member of the U.S. Senate-one who can reach across the aisle to get things done.   As U.S. Senator, he will continue to fight for economic fairness and accountable government-principles in which we both believe.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 23:08:14 PM UTC

lowell did you know (0.00 / 0)

lowell it seems like you have something hooked on to the announcement and it popped up while we were viewing - It is a balck and white negative attack ad against tim Kaine. hmmm we couldnt figure out where it came from

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by: gene magruder @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 23:15:35 PM UTC

I have absolutely no idea (0.00 / 0)

what you're talking about. What's "hooked on" where?  Huh? You lost me.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Apr 05, 2011 at 23:55:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Where's Dougie? (0.00 / 0)

I'm sure we'll be hearing something from him tomorrow.  

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by: DanielK @ Wed Apr 06, 2011 at 03:48:26 AM UTC