Governor Tim Kaine: A Statesman for US Senate
By C. Naseer Ahmad
Washington, DC
Virginia remains a pivotal state where history is made repeatedly. On Saturday August 11, 2012, Governor Mitt Romney picked Norfolk Virginia – for good reason – to reveal his decision to name Congressman Paul Ryan as his choice for Vice-Presidential spot. Virginia was one of the key states that helped elect President Obama in 2008 and where he and Vice-President Joe Biden will again be campaigning vigorously. It was Virginia that tipped the balance of US Senate in favor of the Democrats on November 10, 2006.
The election of Senator Jim Webb – a real American hero who authored many books - was a momentous event that gave the Democratic Party control of US Senate. A month earlier, former Orlando Sentinel columnist Charley Reece – with known conservative views – wrote, “I have nothing to say about Allen. Compare, the two men’s records. There is no contest.”
With Senator Jim Webb’s decision not to seek reelection, Virginia voters will once again let their choice be known whether they will give former Governor Allen another chance to recapture his old senate seat or prefer a statesman for US Senate.
With Mitt Romney’s Vice-Presidential choice, budgetary issues will again become part of the debate – because of the impending fiscal cliff next year. “Statesmanship, not brinkmanship, needed in budget talks”, opined Governor Tim Kaine in a column for the Fairfax County Times. He explained to the voters how US got from a surplus during Clinton-era to the current financial mess. “We need leaders who know how to find common ground, and have the backbone to make the right fiscal decisions”, he concluded.
It would have been helpful for the voters to hear from Governor Allen, his explanation as to what he would do differently to address the budgetary situation. Knowledgeable people are questioning whether federal expenditure cuts alone are the right answer to the financial predicament of the world’s largest economy.
Wisdom suggests paying attention to the writing on the wall is a good idea. So noticing the pictures on the wall might not be bad either. In times past, visitors to then Senator Allen’s office would get to enjoy a beautiful picture of President Ronald Reagan riding on a horse in a Virginia farm. President Reagan was certainly an inspiring statesman but he was also practical. Today, visitors to Senator Webb’s office will find it hard to ignore the gritty pictures of ordinary residents – from different walks of life and spread across Virginia. Well-worn boots, below a framed picture - encased in a cabinet - of Governor Kaine standing next to a jubilant Senator Jim Webb tells the story of who they are really fighting for.
“What kind of senator will you be?” and “how would you make it better?” are the kind of questions asked during the senatorial candidate to visit to the Ashby Ponds senior citizens center in Ashburn, Virginia. Citing the example of the “Gang of Six” – a bipartisan group of senators trying to help solve the nation’s financial problems , Governor Kaine said the he would like to build bridges and build relationship across the partisan divide in the Senate. He did not duck any question be it flat tax or gun control. Understanding the questions is also an indication of a candidate’s empathy and answering the questions directly in layman’s terms is a skill that Governor Kaine impressed upon many voters.
As the 70th governor, Tim Kaine crisscrossed the state for a vigorous effort to maintain the high bond ratings – making Virginia one of the best places to do business. His record of accomplishment s with centrist policies is reflected in different roles he has played in public life. As mayor of Richmond, Tim Kaine helped close down a bar called the “Mosque”, as it offended the Muslim citizens of Richmond. From his responses to challenges that a public official faces, Tim Kaine does not appear to pander to any particular group and has not hesitated in doing the right thing. Furthermore, during on a recent conversation Tim Kaine showed a sincere respect for the Pakistani American community and some of its members who are active in the World Affairs Council Richmond.
Voters might find it hard to ignore that Governor Kaine is a problem-solver willing to listen to peoples concerns and reaches out to people with different opinions. His role as Chairman, Democratic National Committee, put him in touch with people across the country. For some reason Charley Reece’s words keep coming back: “Compare the two men’s records. There is no contest.”
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