For Kaine, this really could hurt him as he's in the midst for fighting for his legislative agenda. And for Democrats, nationally, the risk is that Kaine won't be strong enough in combatting Bush, because he's got to tend to his own state's politics.
The Hotline adds the following from Steve Jarding, campaign manager for Mark Warner's (successful) 2001 bid for governor of Virginia:
Dem strategist Steve Jarding has a better idea for Democrats: go find a SOTU responder who's not an elected official. Find someone who's first name is "General" or get Warren Buffett to talk about the economy or even some ordinary American. Where does it say in the bylaws of the Democratic Party that the SOTU responder has to be an elected official. Maybe Kaine will do the Democrats a favor, say thanks, but no thanks, allowing the party to (sorry for the cliche) think outside the box on its response.
Interesting. In response, a "sympathetic Dem chimes in with a defense of why Kaine:"
I think 2006 is going to be much more about management and results than most people think. It's smart to highlight a Democratic success story. And it's much smarter politics for Kaine to accept than it was for the nationals to ask him...[...]
It's a way to attack Bush without being shrill, talking about the real bread & butter stuff that Bush sucks on, and highlighting how the states are getting stuck with a raw deal. We need more messengers out there who don't come across as shrill. Kaine (if he does this right) can demonstrate to folks how to do that. It'll be hard for his state legislature to hit him for doing this, if he stands up there on national TV and gives them credit for working with Democrats.
As I said, an interesting debate. I, of course, agree with the "sympathetic Dem" (and no, that wasn't me writing in!). If you're interested, you can join the debate on "A Tim Ear" at the Hotline Blog. Go give 'em an "Ear" full in support of Tim Kaine!