There's been a lot going on recently, but I think that Friday's visit to Virginia by former North Carolina Senator John Edwards in support of Tim Kaine was significant. Sure, Edwards -- who won 27% of the vote and finished second (behind John Kerry, who had the nomination wrapped up at that point) in Virginia' 2004 Democratic Presidential primary -- could be a political asset for Tim Kaine, no question about it. A fellow Southern centrist, Edwards adds a touch of populist appeal to the Kaine campaign. But more than that, Edwards provides another strong voice pushing Tim Kaine's signature "Start Strong" plan for providing universal pre-K access to Virginia 4-year-olds.According to Edwards, a big supporter of such programs in North Carolina, "[Kaine's proposal] is a very smart thing to do, a very practical thing." Standing outside Charlottesville's Barrett Early Learning Center, Edwards added, "This facility is a perfect example of helping get these kids on the right track, and we as a nation need to make a commitment as other nations have done to end poverty in our lifetime." Tim Kaine chimed in, saying, "We spend at least $5 for remedial education right now for every dollar we put in early childhood education. All the studies on early childhood education show this is going to pay for itself."
Looks like John Edwards and Tim Kaine were on exactly the same page this past Friday as they read to 3- and 4-year-olds. More broadly, it looks like Tim Kaine is on exactly the same page of almost all the experts on this issue. But oh no, not Jerry Kilgore, who criticized Kaine's smart, extremely cost-effective "Start Strong" program as ?a tax and spend liberal? idea. Yeah, right, Jerry, a program that helps give 3- and 4-year olds a great start in life while saving taxpayers at least $5 for every $1 you put in, just on remedial education alone (e.g., not even taking into account the savings from reduced crime later on in life) is "tax and spend liberal."
Jerry, Jerry, Jerry. Do you even know what you're saying, or do nonsensical Republican talking points just spew out of your mouth in random order, bearing no relation to the issue at hand, let alone to reality? Have you ever asked your wife, Marty, a former public school teacher and now a full-fledged member of your campaign, what SHE thinks about pre-K education. Now THAT'S a conversation I'd love to listen in on. Hey Jerry, maybe you can spare some of your former Attorney General staff experts in eavesdropping so I can listen in?
P.S. By the way, Jerry, what's your wife's picture doing on the same Chesterfield County Republican Committee website that also has a bizarre photo of a "scared face" black man?
P.P.S. Oh, and what's that picture still doing there after it was exposed by us on August 20? Does that mean you approve of it, implicitly or explicitly? C'mon, Jerry, SPEAK UP for a change!
