I had been assuming that Tim Kaine would serve out his term as governor, but after reading this, I'm starting to wonder.
As President-elect Barack Obama begins to announce personnel decisions for his White House, the speculation runs wild that Virginia's turning blue for the first time since 1964 could mean that a few prominent Old Dominion Democrats would land new gigs in Washington. Those rumors are particularly loud for one of Obama's earliest supporters, Gov. Tim Kaine. Kaine still has one year left before he is term-limited out of the governor's mansion, and despite the fact that he's said he will serve out his term, many believe that just as Kaine was a finalist to be Obama's running mate, he's being eyed for a cabinet post. Should that come to pass, it would set into motion a chain of events unprecedented in the history of the Commonwealth.
Per the last sentence, I'm also starting to think more about what the implications might be if Gov. Kaine really did leave the governorship early. Among other things, The Hook points out that Bill Bolling becoming governor would "throw a monkey-wrench into Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell's plans to be the Republican nominee for governor in next year's election." I also tend to agree that Bolling "would be a weaker candidate than McDonnell" against Brian Moran, Creigh Deeds or Terry McAuliffe.
The Hook also reports on a rumor I hadn't heard before, that Jim Webb "is widely considered to be a candidate for Secretary of Defense." If Webb were offered that position and took it, this would allow Tim Kaine to appoint Wsbb's replacement. Who would that be? The Hook speculates on various possibilities, including one I find particularly intriguing:
Kaine might also try to alleviate some intraparty tension and choose either Deeds, Brian Moran, or McAuliffe in order to have one fewer Dem running for the gubernatorial nomination.
Anyway, I'm still recovering from the amazing presidential election and am not particularly focused yet on 2009. Mainly, I just thought I'd throw this out here for discussion. Please, "talk amongst yourselves." :)
As for Jim Webb, he has revealed himself -- and told someone off the record, who then told me -- that he's in a position where he can be contrary enough to suit himself, and do a great job for Virginia, at the same time. He's not happy when he has to be in lockstep with people, and is much better building consensus on issues that matter to him. Webb is a true maverick in that way, not to be confused with fake mavericks.