...these Republicans obviously can't take it. I mean, c'mon now, how thin-skinned can you be? Is politics a game of beanbag, a full-contact sport, or what? So what's all this whining by crybaby conservatives about Kaine's Chief of Staff, William H. Leighty, who commented the other day "that the governor planned retribution against Republicans who do not support his transportation plans?"First, a bit of background courtesy of Michael Shear at the Washington Post:
Leighty's comments, first reported on the Not Larry Sabato Web log, came during a town hall meeting at Bonnie Brae Elementary School in Fairfax hosted by two freshman delegates, Dave W. Marsden (D-Fairfax) and David L. Bulova (D-Fairfax).Leighty was responding to a question about whether Kaine would retaliate against lawmakers. Howell said some audience members took his response to mean that Kaine's staff plans to contact supporters of bills introduced by some House Republicans and tell them that the governor might veto the bills if the Republicans fail to support Kaine's transportation plan.
"I have four staff members looking at every bill from every Republican House member," Leighty said, according to the blog. "We are not going to the member, but compiling a list of who asked for each bill. We are going to those people to tell them their bills are in jeopardy."
In reaction, Virginia House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) said Leighty's comments caused Republicans "deep distress." Oh, puh-leeze. You know, I can't remember Howell or other Republicans talking about their "deep distress" at the Kilgore campaign bringing Adolf Hitler into last year's Governor's race. Whatever. Obviously, this "deep distress" is either the sign of serious thin skin on the part of "dish-it-out-but-can't-take-it" Republicans, or it's as calculated as the "outrage" over those cartoons in Denmark. Either way, it's a bunch of malarky.
You know, last time I checked, Leighty's comments were known as "political hardball." In Chicago, New York, or Washington DC, they wouldn't merit a moment's attention. But here in Virginia, those (supposedly) hard-ass Republicans turn into wimpering crybabies at anything harder than tiddly-winks. Boo-hoo.
Now, you can question whether or not this is the most effective strategy for the Governor's team to take at this point. However, I would say that Tim Kaine is a man in a hurry, as he very well should be on solving Virginia's transportation gridlock crisis, and he shouldn't let a bunch of short-sighted, do-nothing delegates stand in his way. Good for him! Remember, the people of Virginia elected Tim Kaine by 6 percentage points - a strong victory by any standards - in large part to get things done on transportation. Right now, the House of Delegates is thwarting the will of the people, more concerned about safeguarding marriage and making sure there are guns in every Chuck-E-Cheese parking lot across Virginia than about solving real problems for real Virginians. Priorities, priorities.
Anyway, let's close with a few words from Del. Brian Moran (D-Alexandria), who hits the nail right on the head: "They are making a mountain out of a molehill. It's a diversion from their inability to address our transportation needs."
You said it, Brian. Now, don't let them get away with it!
P.S. Major hat-tip to Ben Tribbett for this scoop. Excellent reporting!