Rumor: Kaine held "line of succession meeting"

By: Lowell
Published On: 8/19/2008 3:32:11 PM

If true, this is a major scoop by The Palmetto Scoop:

A source inside the beltway informed me that high ranking officials throughout Virginia were recently summoned to the governor's office for an emergency meeting which reportedly involved discussions on the line of succession if and when Kaine steps down to become Obama's running mate.

The officials were mandated to leave an out-of-state conference and return to the state capitol in Richmond immediately.

Due to the confidential nature of the meeting, details are scarce but the source said that either Obama will choose Kaine, or Kaine was given the impression that he would be chosen.

Thoughts?  Get ready for Gov. Bolling?  Ugh.

UPDATE: CBS News is reporting, "Barack Obama heads to Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, where he is expected to announce his running mate."

Comments



Death (legacyofmarshall - 8/19/2008 3:44:12 PM)
n/t


Sam Nunn! (Bubby - 8/19/2008 3:46:35 PM)
How about we just forget this Kaine nonsense, send Sam Nunn to Spanish class and pick someone with real foreign policy creds.


The idea of a Gov. Bolling is a complete buzz kill (pmcmscot - 8/19/2008 3:51:24 PM)
Seriously, how can I get excited about Kaine as VP given the train wreck he's leaving behind him for VA Dems.?

I hope, hope, hope it's somebody else.



Because there is nothing exciting about Kaine as VP... (Tiderion - 8/19/2008 3:53:38 PM)
amirite?


Ouch (legacyofmarshall - 8/19/2008 4:14:14 PM)
Ever since Webb "dropped out" I've been a strong Sebelius supporter.  But as of 3 minutes ago, with the Kaine talk growing more and more real, I'm officially jumping the sinking Sebelius ship (it left port with no crew I've been told...) and saying - BIDEN FOR VP!

Disclaimer: for an inexplicable reason, I don't really like Sen. Biden.  Also, the whole 30+ years in the Senate is a downer.  That being said, I respect him very much and few people are more qualified for a promotion.  Also, how lame would Obama look with McCain - when was carrying the home state a top reason to pick someone as VP?  Let's take a look...

Edwards - no (didn't win NC)
Cheney - no
Lieberman - no
Kemp - no (didn't win NY)
Gore - maybe but probably not
Quayle - no
Bentsen - no (didn't win TX)
Ferraro - no (didn't win NY)
Bush - no

Should I go on?  Indeed of the past 9 candidates for Vice President, only one (Al Gore) "delivered" his home state.  In all the others they lost (where I pointed it out) or the state was a lock for the party to begin with.



umm Bush 43 didn't carry Wyoming? (teacherken - 8/19/2008 9:43:06 PM)
that was Cheney's home state, and last time I checked, it has been a Republican state presidentially for quite some time.


I must have miscommunicated (legacyofmarshall - 8/19/2008 10:20:42 PM)
Those "no"s meant that the candidate was not chosen to carry the home state.  Only those placed in parenthises actually lost the home state.

Edwards, Kemp, Bentsen, and Ferraro did not win their home states.

Cheney, Lieberman, Quayle, and Bush won their home states, but we can safely say that Republicans would have won Wyoming, Indiana, and Texas in those years anyways, and Dems would have won Connecticut in '00 without Lieberman.

In 1992 and 96 Clinton/Gore won Tennessee - a state that in the 80's and 00's went Republican, so Gore certainly "carried" Tennessee, but it's likely Clinton chose Gore not for the state, but for the general appeal of a young, outgoing, and intelligent Southern Senator to complement a young, outgoing, and intelligent Southern Governor.



And In 2000 (HisRoc - 8/20/2008 12:09:24 AM)
Gore lost both Tennessee and Arkansas while Lieberman 'delivered' Connecticut.


Kaine (pvogel - 8/19/2008 4:11:43 PM)
If he is vp material
and Bolling is new gov

who will be the new lt gov?????

(Tom Davis??/)



Bob Marshall (legacyofmarshall - 8/19/2008 4:17:22 PM)
The Virginia Constitution implicitly states that in the absence of a Lt. Governor the position will pass to the most insane member of the party incumbent in the Governor's mansion  currently serving in the House of Delegates.

There's also a provision saying that if the Governor is an independent, the Lt. Governorship will pass to the closest living relative of Harry F. Byrd.

It's an interesting document, you should read it some time.



Hahahahahahahahaha (Lowell - 8/19/2008 4:20:45 PM)
That's the funniest comment I've seen on here in a while. Thanks for the laugh! :)


Much obliged (legacyofmarshall - 8/19/2008 4:35:18 PM)
We need a laugh at a dark time like this.  I too work for the C. of VA - though in the legislature - so much for, you know, progress.


As a state employee (Science Virginian - 8/19/2008 4:20:10 PM)
I shudder at the thought of a Bolling governorship; with the state budget tanking and a Republican in charge I wonder if I'll even have a job next year.

I take back all (well, most) of the bad thoughts I've had about Kaine over the last few months if he remains as governor.



Could just be misdirection, well-executed. n/t (FMArouet21 - 8/19/2008 4:46:24 PM)


We can only hope. (Tiderion - 8/19/2008 4:51:21 PM)
I still want my Gore/Obama ticket...


I just have to believe that the Bolling issue is too big a hurdle (aznew - 8/19/2008 5:01:22 PM)
At some point, common sense has to prevail.

Allowing Bolling to become Governor and run as an incumbent is just crazy talk.

It is looking like Biden.



Hopefully not (Ron1 - 8/19/2008 5:26:29 PM)
This report seems to leave open the door for a whole list of people.

Don't know about the rumors from Richmond, but I still just can't see what Kaine brings to the table, really.

I am still crossing my fingers for a big shocker (Mark Warner), the class of the current short list (Kathleen Sebelius), or the old pro he needs to mend his coalition (Hillary Clinton). He can also introduce Joe Biden as his Sec of State to be and put him out on the trail.



I still don't see Tim Kaine on here... (Lowell - 8/19/2008 5:26:48 PM)
DENVER - The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America Campaign today announced new speakers and gavel times for the opening three nights of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to take place August 25th - 28th in Denver.

Joining the program on Monday, August 25th will be Former President Jimmy Carter; Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar; Miami Mayor Manny Diaz; Illinois state leaders Alexi Giannoulis, Dan Hynes, Lisa Madigan, and Tom Balanoff from Illinois SEIU; long-time Barack Obama mentor Jerry Kellman; NEA President Reg Weaver; AFT President Randi Weingarten; and NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan. The theme of Monday's program is One Nation.

New speakers added to the program on Tuesday, August 26th are Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy; West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, Chair of the Democratic Governors' Association; Iowa Governor Chet Culver; Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; California State Controller John Chiang; Change to Win's Anna Burger; AFL-CIO President John Sweeney; and Planned Parenthood of America President Cecile Richards. The theme of Tuesday's program is Renewing America's Promise.

On Wednesday, August 27th, new speakers addressing the theme of Securing America's Future include Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Organizers stressed that new names were being added daily to the Convention program and that there would be several major announcements on the program yet to come, including the program for the final night of the Convention and the names of the first-time delegates and everyday Americans who will be central to the Convention program.

Also today, Convention organizers announced that the Convention will gavel open at 3:00 PM Mountain/5:00 PM Eastern and gavel down at 9:00 PM Mountain/11:00 PM Eastern, Monday through Wednesday, August 25th -27th.

PROGRAM SUMMARY TO DATE

Monday, August 25 - One Nation.
Barack Obama's story is an American story that reflects a life of struggle, opportunity and responsibility like those faced by Americans everyday. The opening night of the Convention will highlight Barack's life story, his commitment to change, and the voices of Americans who are calling for a new direction for this country.

Monday's headline prime-time speaker will be Michelle Obama.

Other Monday night speakers include:
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri; Barack Obama's sister Maya Soetero-Ng and Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama's older brother; Jerry Kellman, mentor and long-time friend of Barack Obama;  Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.;  former Indiana Representative Lee Hamilton; Tom Balanoff, President of Illinois SEIU; Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America; NEA President Reg Weaver; AFT President Randi Weingarten;  Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; State Comptroller Dan Hynes; Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulis; Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle; and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Monday night will also feature a tribute to Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Tuesday, August 26 - Renewing America's Promise.
Millions of Americans are struggling to get by. The failed policies of the last eight years have betrayed the country's values and left an economy out of balance. Barack Obama believes a strong economy is unattainable with a weak middle class. Tuesday's Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Barack's concerns and strongly support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness, and expand opportunity.

Senator Hillary Clinton will be the headline prime-time speaker and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday night. Pay Equity pioneer Lilly Ledbetter will also address the Convention on Tuesday.

Other Tuesday speakers will include:
Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana; Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts; Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas;  Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona; Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia; Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin; Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania; Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio; Governor David Paterson of New York; Governor Chet Culver of Iowa; Senator Bob Casey, Jr., of Pennsylvania; Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont; former Secretary of Energy and Transportation Federico Peña;  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; House Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel; Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Assistant to the Speaker of the House; and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Chris Van Hollen, who will use his time to showcase his top candidates for change.

Representatives Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mike Honda (D-CA), California Controller John Chiang, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, Change To Win's Anna Burger, and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney will also speak.

Wednesday, August 27 - Securing America's Future.
Barack Obama offers a new, tough foreign policy that is neither Republican nor Democratic, but is a strong, smart American foreign policy to make our country more secure and advance our interests in the world. Wednesday night's Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Barack's vision of making America stronger and safer.

The headline prime-time speaker on Wednesday will be Barack Obama's Vice Presidential Nominee.

Featured speakers will include:
Former President Bill Clinton; former Senator Tom Daschle; Governor Bill Richardson and Senators Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, John Kerry and Jay Rockefeller. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Convention home state Senator Ken Salazar, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, and Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth will lead a tribute honoring those who give so much to secure our nation's future - veterans, active duty military and their families.

Thursday, August 28 - Change You Can Believe In.
On Thursday night, the DNCC will throw open the doors of the Convention and move to INVESCO Field at Mile High so that more Americans can be a part of the fourth night of the Convention as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination.  Obama will communicate the urgency of the moment, highlight the struggles Americans are facing and call on Americans to come together to change the course of our nation.  Additional details of the program to precede Barack Obama's acceptance speech will be announced later this week.



Kaine's speaking Thursday night (Chris Guy - 8/19/2008 5:40:32 PM)
according to Marc Ambinder

CBS is reporting that Obama will name his runningmate Friday night, which means the Virginia campaign stops this week aren't any indicator.

Also, Biden just told the press, "I'm not the guy."



Conspicuous absence, I'll grant (Ron1 - 8/19/2008 5:41:08 PM)
But it could also easily just be that Kaine will be speaking Thursday night to introduce Senator Obama and they just haven't laid out the Thursday night speakers yet.

All the other 'known' short-listers are accounted for as far as I can tell (except Dodd). So I continue to think they'll just alter the schedule as necessary once the decision becomes public.



and they don't get any more reliable than the Palmetto Scoop neither (nm) (justicat - 8/19/2008 8:44:54 PM)
And I say it's Biden.  And Palmetto is descooped.


HRC or Lose? (heywaitaminute - 8/20/2008 12:01:50 AM)
Polling does not show the margin Obama should be enjoying now.  Why not?  The McCain handlers know that the biggest weakness to exploit is the "unknown" factor.  Many voters are waiting to see what they can learn about Obama before deciding but an effective Rove influenced campaign will take that uncertainty and make it permanent.  Bottom line, HRC is the only VP candidate that can add hundreds of thousands of enthused voters to the D roster.  Obama has plateaued, his only chance without HRC is a higher turnout per centage than ever in recent history, could happen, but a lot of young voters simply don't show up at the polls.  Prediction: without HRC Obama loses.  His folks know that but he still may resent her and Bill too much to swallow the pill and instead hope for a McCain implosion, which certainly could happen but that is a risky plan.  If Obama could win with a ham sandwich as VP then the polls would be different right now.  His VP choice may make or break him.  With Kaine, Obama still loses Virginia, with HRC, he has an even chance. I am not saying that Kaine is a ham sandwich by the way but he sure is not a red hot chili pepper either. I love making predictions, I actually got one right in 1976.    


False. (Tiderion - 8/20/2008 8:00:10 AM)
HRC didn't do too well here. I agree that Kaine will ruin the chances of winning VA but HRC doesn't have traction here. Those white voters in Appalachia don't like her. Obama has not plateaued, especially since he is still growing his grassroots and donor lists. Besides, those 18 million HRC voters are not loyal to the Democratic Party nor are they loyal to an Obama Administration regardless of whether or not HRC is on the ticket. No, Jim Webb is still the best possible VP choice. Either way, the Democratic Party is no longer the Clinton Party.

BTW, as a young person, I show up at polls. And all my friends have their absentee ballots.  



HRC TOOK APPALACHIA BY STORM (heywaitaminute - 8/20/2008 11:27:05 PM)
I don't mean to be obtuse, but Clinton steamrolled Appalachia,unless all the polling is wrong.  Look at the following link to see why: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/a...

Maybe young voters will do better than in the past, but no one can debate that the Clintons make hay in the mountains.



Given the options (Tiderion - 8/20/2008 11:37:02 PM)
though consider their choice. I'd like to see accurate polls of HRC against John McCain in this region. Bill Clinton won it from Bush because Clinton was more country boy than Bush. The Democratic Primaries means almost nothing when it comes to the voting patterns of Appalachia. Many of the values are completely different.