Razing Kaine

By: Eric
Published On: 7/20/2007 12:32:11 PM

Last year we saw Jim Webb running on a "I didn't leave my party, it left me" theme (among others).  Yesterday at the Republican news conference Governor Kaine ran with a variation of that theme: My party didn't leave me, I left it.

While I'm not sure what this means in terms of other legislation and issues, one thing is very clear: Kaine was literally, symbolically, and metaphorically standing with the Republicans on the issue of Abusive Driver Fees.  He is undeniably one of them.  For whatever reason (I'm at a total loss) he has joined a small group of ideologues that simply don't get it.

I'll summarize with two big reasons why this was a bad move:

1. The bill in general isn't very good, the abusive driver fees aspect is an abomination.  I could go on and on about this, but I think everyone here is pretty much up to speed on why it sucks.

2. Politically, it's idiotic.  Large numbers of voters are upset about this and the fastest way for a politician to end up in the unemployment line is to piss off the voters.  While Kaine himself doesn't have to worry about the November elections, an awful lot of elected officials and hopefuls in his (former) party do.  Luckily many of the sitting Democrats and hopefuls are/were against this bill - but they've lost a strong potential ally in the Governor.  Kaine's move shouldn't do much damage to the Democrats who voted against it, but it will force those Democrats to run campaigns that contradict the Governor's position.  That's far from optimal for a party that's trying to take back Richmond.
I owe an apology (of sorts - explanation forthcoming) to the Kaine bashers.  I had previously defended the Governor by pointing out the fact that House Republicans had tied his hands - if he wanted a transportation bill he had to agree to the abuser fees.  Technically, that is still true.  But my error, the one I apologize for, is that I defended Kaine under the assumption that he would not have supported these outrageous fees had his hands not been tied.  I was wrong.  He clearly supports the fees with or without Republican restrictions.  So, for all those who wish to rip Kaine for his position on this matter, please, be my guest.  You will have no more resistance from me.

However, To all those who have been attempting to share the blame equally between parties I'd like to re-iterate that Governor Kaine left his party on this one.  While some Democrats do support this monstrosity, that support is not, I repeat, NOT, the belief of the majority of Democratic leaders.  The Senate Democrats all voted against it as well as over 50% of the House Democrats.  The fact that Kaine defected does not change the fact that the abuser fees are primarily the responsibility of the anti-tax Republican ideologues in the House.

I supported Governor Kaine, I voted for him, I like him as a person, and I'm very happy that he's the governor as opposed to Jerry Kilgore.  But I've got to call this one as it is: Bad Move, Governor.

Comments



Great (leftofcenter - 7/20/2007 12:40:48 PM)
post Eric. You said it better than I could have. I've bashed Kaine pretty hard because I cannot believe this happened on his watch. He is going to pay big time. All his charm and great politicalk instincts aren't going to help him out of this. And to think he had a good future ahead of him......
Oh WELL that's what happens when you hold hands with the devil.


Tim "McCain" Kaine (Matt H - 7/20/2007 1:54:35 PM)


Bush league, Bushwa, Bush Republicans (The Grey Havens - 7/20/2007 12:54:17 PM)
Tim Kaine has sided with the most reprehensible ideologues on this one, these are the Bush Republicans in the House and Senate who want nothing more than to act tough by weakening America.

Virginia's Governor didn't just abandon his party on this issue (one among many), but he abandoned the well-being of the Commonwealth of Virginia - and that's a much worse crime by far.



You are thinking like a Republican. (Bubby - 7/20/2007 1:21:30 PM)
Kaine's move shouldn't do much damage to the Democrats who voted against it, but it will force those Democrats to run campaigns that contradict the Governor's position.

So what?  Successful Democrats will be organized bottom up. And there will be plenty of fertile resentment from the rank and file on this one. Dems don't circle their wagons around failed policy like the NeoCon Republicans do.

Democrats don't borrow their principles from some think tank in Washington, keyboard warriors, or criminals like Grover Norquist.  Kaine is a sideshow diversion. He has given the stage to Moran and the Dems up for election on this issue.  This issue is theirs to run with.

And let me add that it's about time Dave Bulova and Dave Marsden started acting like they deserve to represent the people of Virginia.  Let them explain why they supported the Abuser Fees. Let the games begin! 



Yeah - I would like (Eric - 7/20/2007 1:48:53 PM)
to hear what the handful of House Dems who supported these fees have to say now.  Will they change position or will they continue to support this garbage? 


TK's Handling of Abuser Fees: Renacted (The Grey Havens - 7/20/2007 1:25:04 PM)


A good move by Kaine (varealist - 7/20/2007 1:43:11 PM)
Kaine's decision to support the Republicans, in my view, is genius. Think about. Why give the General Assembly a way to wiggle out of this terrible new law? If Kaine let's them have the special session, then this is no longer an issue in November. He keeps it on the table, people get more pissed and the General Assembly turns blue with Democrats in the leadership. Sure, is it risky, yes, but as a one-term governor, why not take the risk, suffer some heat now when he has his eyes on a long-term goal.


TK tosses the GOP (elevandoski - 7/20/2007 2:01:09 PM)
an anchor disguised as a life-jacket. My thoughts, exactly.


Perhaps... (Eric - 7/20/2007 2:03:13 PM)
But just as much, actually even more, could be gained by stepping in as a hero.  If Kaine were to call a special session and demand the abuser fees be replaced by a tax (gasoline, income, sales, fill-in-your-favorite) he'd force the anti-tax ideologues to either vote for a tax or to keep the abuser fees.  If they went for a tax increase they get dinged for that and Kaine/Dems can claim credit because they forced the Republicans to do it right way.  Plus the people of Virginia are winners because it's would be done right (or better - since the whole bill isn't that good anyway).

So if he is playing an odd ball strategy it's a long shot and even if it works it wouldn't gain as much as he could by taking this straightforward strategy.  But right now there is nothing to indicate that he's working a tricky strategy - I think it is exactly what we see.



I understand, but... (elevandoski - 7/20/2007 2:17:25 PM)
keep in mind two things: 1) Kaine had an abusive driver fee in his own plan and 2) the new Hampton Roads Transportation Authority has been given authority to increase (2%) and collect a regional gas tax.  I think it's riskier to bring these GOPpers into a special session. I don't trust them for whatever tricks they might have up their sleeves. 


Exactly what I think, (Pain - 7/20/2007 3:21:49 PM)
...and wrote in another thread yesterday.  I'm thinking there's more to this than meets the eye, so stay tuned.


There's no secret (MohawkOV1D - 7/20/2007 4:01:13 PM)
crazy like a Fox D-Day plan on the part of Timmay!  It is what it is (Eso Si Que Es), which is Kaine supports the abuser fees.

If he felt differently, he'd have called a press conference, with Democrats at his side, and remind everyone that this was a Republican add-on, and that the blame lies with the Republicans and that is who needs to be held responsible come November.

Thinking that Kaine is "crazy like a Fox" is self hypnosis.  Or denial of reality.  He's never been Fox like before.

However, if "crazy like a Fox" means that he caved to the repug's on this for payback latter on, well I hope it's worth it.

As a 35 year resident of NOVA, I'm tired of this crap (euphimisim for excrement - Lowell),



On the other side (Pain - 7/20/2007 4:34:03 PM)
of the argument, if he were to stand up and demonize the republicans like you suggest, then good luck trying to work with them on anything else.

You might be right, there may be nothing more to this, but I'm not yet sure of that.



Yes and No (varealist - 7/20/2007 2:12:08 PM)
Eric, Kaine stepping in as the hero would be great, but what does that gain him politically? Nothing. He's not running for anything. Why give JMDD a chance to clear her name with a special session? Let her sink. He's not going to come out and say he's doing this because he wants the GOP to sink.

Your scenario of calling the special session, the tax vote, etc., just sounds too messy with the short time frame between now and November. It'll also muddy the issue. Right now, it's clear who's at fault. Debating tax law again destroys the message right now that the GOP is punishing you, Mr./Ms. Voter. Again, think long-term.

You know what will be even more heroic? The first act of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly repealing this law.



Chap Petersen Weighs In (Lowell - 7/20/2007 3:49:45 PM)
here.

With all due respect to our esteemed leaders, the opposition to this law has been a truly grass-roots movement.  Common sense is making a comeback in state politics.  Don't stand in the way!

Chap, you rock! :)



Chap Petersen: His own man! n/t (Bubby - 7/20/2007 5:18:25 PM)


I think it's also important to remember that (Silence Dogood - 7/20/2007 4:51:19 PM)
The Republicans aren't asking for a special session so they can come up with a brand new transportation plan; they only want to repeal the abuser fees they voted for in the first place because they're afraid and they want to make the voters happy.  There is no way in Hell you're going to find a concensus among Republicans to raise the gasoline tax or do anything else to secure revenue for transportation this close to election day.

The abuser fees are one component of an omnibus legislative plan, and the entire plan needs to be reevaluated.  A special session to repeal the fees accomplishes nothing for Virginians except to help ensure the status quo of a Republican state legislature and crappy, overcrowded roads.



This is where Kaine could stand firm (Eric - 7/20/2007 5:04:20 PM)
He could call them back and say they needed to find a way to cover the $65 million the fees are supposed to generate.  They can keep the fees, add taxes, or come up with another crazy scheme.  But since the entire transportation bill depends on that revenue Kaine could say he can't accept a simple removal of the fees - that would kill the whole bill.

So that forces the Republicans to
a) Reaffirm the fees
b) Kill the fees and raise taxes
c) Cook up some other loony scheme which the Gov could easily shoot down and push them back to a) or b).

They lose no matter what.

The House Republicans are a tricky bunch, but Kaine would have the upper hand in this one and I don't think they could wriggle out.

But I honestly don't think it matters because, best I can tell, Kaine really does want these fees.



The status Quo (MohawkOV1D - 7/20/2007 5:14:14 PM)
is better than the new Quo.

Everyone is unhappy about this so, instead of looking for political advantage (there isn't any) lets make these people get it right.

I talked with my State Senator yesterday. She (she said) was surprised by the news conference.  Well, that puts Timmay! on his own.  He may have to suck it up and be punished with the repugs.



Will the Netroots take down the incumbent Speaker of the House? (Shawn - 7/20/2007 10:21:15 PM)
Bill Howell (R-28 HOD) is already opposed by Democratic candidate Clyde Matthews


THIS COMMENT is the MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL !!! (Dianne - 7/22/2007 10:20:08 AM)

Right here and now the netroots should  immediately get behind Clyde Matthews, the Democratic candidate running against Howell.  Netroots:  stand up immediately and help Clyde get volunteers and money to take down Howell.  I've met him and I think he's head and shoulders above Howell!