Va. Governor Kaine to Become DNC Chairman

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Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will become chairman of the Democratic National Committee later this month, serving as the top political messenger for Barack Obama's administration even while he finishes his final year in the governor's mansion, several sources said.

Kaine, who emerged as one of Obama's vice presidential finalists this summer, will operate from Richmond in a part-time capacity until January 2010, when he will become the full-time DNC chairman. Kaine is constitutionally barred from running for reelection.

A personal friend of the president-elect, Kaine is a gregarious chief executive who is known to relish political combat and helped put Virginia in the Democratic column for the first time in almost 50 years.

Obama transition aides declined to comment today, and Kaine aides did not return calls seeking comment. Two sources said Obama will announce his choice of Kaine for the post later this week.

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401139.html

[xxqqqzme]

1. dlc regains control

of the DNC. Dean's cultivation of the grass roots will be allowed to whither & die.

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2. maybe but Kaine is from Virginia which wouldn't have been as viable if not for the 50SS

[Occam Bandage]

3. Kaine was one of the first backers of Obama, and remains a close ally.

The DNC is going to be a puppet of Obama, not of the DLC. Now, you might believe those to be the same thing, but I'm pretty sure Obama understands the grassroots. Given that, you know, he was more aggressive in pursuing grassroots organization than any other candidate in history.

[2Design]

4. obama is where he is because of Dean and I suspect he knows it and hopefully remembers

after the power goes to his head

[Occam Bandage]

5. Obama is not stupid. I'm not sure why DU seems to believe he is. nt

[tritsofme]

6. A definite improvement.

I really like Governor Kaine, and I think he has a great future in this party.

[GrizzlyMan]

7. This is an excellent role for Kaine

We've enjoyed recent gains in VA. Sen. Makaka defeated. Obama wins the GE race there. Part of that road was paved by Tim Kaine. How anyone can foster such hatred for the guy is beyond me, but then again this is DU where perception and reality rarely meet.