Kaine will endorse Obama
By: David Campbell
Published On: 2/14/2007 5:25:35 PM
(UPDATE by Rob: Link here plus new formatting)Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will get the endorsement of Virginia's governor, Timothy M. Kaine, perhaps as early as the weekend, two sources familiar with the governor said Wednesday.
Kaine, a Democrat who took office last year, has decided to endorse Obama's 2008 campaign, according to two people with political ties to the governor who spoke on the condition that they not be identified because the decision had not been made public.
Obama will headline the Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day fundraising gala in Richmond on Saturday night, an event Kaine will attend along with Sen. Jim Webb and former Gov. Mark R. Warner.
Kaine has a strong political relationship with Obama, who traveled to Virginia the past two years to campaign for Kaine's gubernatorial campaign in 2005 and for Webb last fall.
[UPDATE by Lowell: Does this bring back memories or what?]
Comments
Veeeery interesting (Chris Guy - 2/14/2007 6:44:14 PM)
With Warner out of the race, I've been wondering where the big names here in the commonwealth might gravitate towards. I have a feeling Mark Warner's endorsement will be more calculating since he may be a prospective vp candidate. If he endorses someone, and then the nomination goes to someone else, that could cross him of that short list.
Hmmmm, here's something... (Chris Guy - 2/15/2007 2:13:49 AM)
Years ago Mark Warner worked on Chris Dodd's staff before he came down to Virginia. Just throwing that out there....
Well I am a big fan of the Governor...but... (SaveElmer - 2/14/2007 6:44:14 PM)
I'm gonna have to disagree with him on this one...
Isn't it a little early for endorsements? (Catzmaw - 2/14/2007 7:43:06 PM)
Apparently not (Lowell - 2/14/2007 8:04:32 PM)
Everything's starting early this year, so why not endorsements?
I might have thought so, but I (teacherken - 2/14/2007 8:31:38 PM)
decided to endorse Tom Vilsack after he came out against reauthorization of NCLB.
Now so long as in endorsing one candidate we support we do not bash the opponents, I have no problem with it.
And I can respect Tim Kaine's desire to offer support for a man who supported him, and who has many fine qualities, even as I believe the man I am supporting is a better choice to be president.
It does seem early (vadem - 2/14/2007 8:53:08 PM)
to endorse. How could anyone know yet about how the candidates will present themselves, and hold up to scrutiny as the campaign moves on? I respect Kaine's decision to choose whomever he wants, but I don't think anyone can say its because Obama was in state to campaign for Kaine and Webb. Several other prominent Democrats were in state to campaign for each of them.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Chris Guy - 2/14/2007 11:30:22 PM)
jumped on the McCain bandwagon ages ago. So did Florida Gov. Crist I believe.
Early (humanfont - 2/14/2007 10:30:49 PM)
Still I seem to recall Obama making a few campaign apperances for Webb and other VA dems. Perhaps this is the payback. Also if any dem not named warner will carry Virginia in 08, I suspect Obama has a better chance than Hillary.
Barak is a gifted rock star (Todd Smyth - 2/15/2007 8:30:43 AM)
Barak Obama was by far the number one Democrat to campaign for other Dems on '06. He was the one they wanted because he is the most gifted communicator on the field. I wouldn't call it payback. I call it gratitude and appropriate and good judgement.
Woohoo!! (novademocrat - 2/14/2007 10:40:39 PM)
Way to go Governor Kaine and welcome to the team!
Im glad Governor Kaine decided to support the next President of the United States...
Now when will Mark Warner decide to endorse Barack???
Obama/Kaine? (David Campbell - 2/15/2007 10:26:43 AM)
Unless President Bush withdraws troops from Iraq before the election (can anyone imagine that happening?), the next presidential election will be all about Iraq. Two thirds of the public already opposes the occupation (and that may grow even more between now and the election). The top tier Republican candidates still support Bush's escalation.
The strongest candidate the Democrats could nominate will be someone who was against the invasion from the beginning. Clinton and Edwards both voted to authorize Bush to invade Iraq (and Clinton still won't even admit that she made a mistake). Obama had the good judgment to oppose the invasion and the courage to speak out when it was derided as unpatriotic. Obama is clearly the best candidate.
Kaine can't run for a second term as Governor. Maybe his early endorsement make him a Vice Presidential candidate.
Obama/Kaine? I would support that!
Slip of the tongue . . . (latinjum - 2/15/2007 7:22:24 PM)
Perhaps Gov. Kaine should wait and see what other slips of the tongue Obama might make (refering to Obama's over 3,000 lives "wasted" comment). Or until he sees which other positions Obama backs away from (refering to Obama's earlier suggestion that maybe surgical strikes on Iran might be necessary to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons).