Obama Announces Tim Kaine as New DNC Leader Video

Tomorrow, Obama will officially announce Leon Panetta to head the CIA, Dennis Blair, as director of National Intelligence, and John Brennan, as White House homeland security adviser and deputy national security adviser for counterterrorism.

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Obama Picks Tim Kaine to Head DNC

Well, at least the Democratic National Committee has a leader. The RNC, where everyone is mad, has to contend with potential leadership like Chip Saltsman.

Politico: Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has been chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to head the Democratic National Committee, a Democratic official said.

The pick is a bet that an energetic younger leader will help the party capitalize on the historic enthusiasm that swept Obama to his landslide win.

Kaine, like Obama a graduate of Harvard Law School, was among the earliest statewide officials to endorse Obama, and was among finalists to be the vice presidential candidate on his ticket.

Kaine has long one of the party's rising younger stars, even delivering his party's nationally televised response to one of President George W. Bush's State of the Union addresses.

The governor won handily in a traditionally Republican state in part with frank conversation about his Roman Catholic faith. His victory in the state's exurbs is viewed as a model for other Democrats.

John McCain is Our Next President

Just thought I'd shake you up a little.

That would be the headline on Nov. 5 if we decided not to vote or stopped canvassing or calling or talking to our friends and relatives. We would be in agony.

So for those who are thinking they may not vote because they're not really needed, you're needed more than ever. Nothing matters until Nov. 4. All these polls could be dead wrong. There's a lot going on this election and I doubt any pollster will have nailed it.

We can't have a squeaky election, where Obama wins by a hair because it will be contested until the cows come home. We need a great big undeniable win.
It's not in the bag.

Politico: Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is urging his fellow Democrats not to get complacent in the waning days of the presidential race.

“I think complacency is our biggest foe in Pennsylvania,” Rendell said Sunday on CBS' “Face the Nation.”

Rendell said he is “not taking anything for granted” and disputed a recent poll showing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) with a double-digit lead in Pennsylvania.

The governor joked he should start “charging [Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin] state income tax” because the Republican vice presidential nominee has spent so much time campaigning in his state.

“I think we are going to be all right,” Rendell said. “But every governor has to be a little bit nervous.”

Virginia Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine agreed, saying that he, too, is not taking anything for granted in his state, which has not voted for a Democrat for president since 1964.

“We realize we haven't done this for a very long time in Virginia, so we're going to consider ourselves the underdogs until we finally break the string,” Kaine said on “Fox News Sunday.”

Democratic strategist James Carville apparently didn’t get the memo, however,as he boldly declared “this race is done, it’s over,” on CNN’s “Late Edition.”

Obama and Kaine Meetup in Virginia

From the local papers. Of course, Obama is still mum. He has to announce via text! If Obama is going for all the change he can get, he'll choose Tim Kaine.

Hampton Roads: Barack Obama wrapped up a question-and-answer session with several hundred supporters in Chesapeake on Thursday night, fielding questions on topics ranging from the drug trade to mental health care and the balance between civil liberties and national security.

The Democratic presidential candidate is leaving Virginia without answering one big question, however: Will Gov. Timothy M. Kaine be his running mate? Obama is expected to announce his vice presidential choice at any moment.

In addition to Obama supporters, hordes of reporters and photographers showed up, taking up about half the floor space in the gym at Oscar Smith High School. Despite word that all tickets to the free event were gone, some people showed up hoping to get in anyway.

Earlier today, Obama appeared alongside Kaine at a campaign stop outside Richmond that concluded without the candidate publicly proposing a political marriage of the two as running mates.

Tim Kaine Looks Happy

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine looks pleased this morning. He and Obama met yesterday while Obama was campaigning in Virginia. Of all the vice presidential candidates, Kaine has the most fire, or at least is more talented at conveying passion, and seems to be most aligned with Obama.

Obama Has Chosen Vice President Pool of 3

Tim Kaine was my choice but I think Obama now needs a national security powerhouse. Too many people perceive Obama to be weaker than McCain on national security. It's too bad really. The announcement is expected to be made via text message early in the morning to get the most news.

NYT: WASHINGTON — Senator Barack Obama has all but settled on his choice for a running mate and set an elaborate rollout plan for his decision, beginning with an early morning alert to supporters, perhaps as soon as Wednesday morning, aides said.

Mr. Obama’s deliberations remain remarkably closely held. Aides said perhaps a half-dozen advisers were involved in the final discussions in an effort to enforce a command that Mr. Obama issued to staff members: that his decision not leak out until supporters are notified.

Mr. Obama had not notified his choice — or any of those not selected — of his decision as of late Monday, advisers said. Going into the final days, Mr. Obama was said to be focused mainly on three candidates: Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware.

Tim Kaine Pulls a Doozy

This is all over the wingnut news and I'm not sure it wasn't somehow taken out of context but Kaine suggests that the Russian president Dmitry Medvedev complied with Obama's call for a cease fire. That's just silly. If it's true, the wingnuts have a right to laugh. Kaine moves off the shortlist.

Obama is in a Good Spot

The opening of a Georgia office

Obama is on vacation, working and bodysurfing, and pundits can't write about Obama, so instead, they offer tips, as if they knew. 

The WaPo says Obama needs to return to his post-partisan roots.

Newsweek says Obama needs a shot of Bill Clinton.

They're all dredging the same question: Why isn't Obama ahead in the polls?

Charles Blow at NYT says it's racism. Yes, that has a bit to do with it. Peggy Noonan says it's Obama's newness. Yes, that too. 

But overall, it's probably too early in the race. Some people just aren't paying attention. They don't know enough about Obama to make an informed choice. All they know is what they've caught in a TV ad. 

These are people who are busy working and people who don't really pay much attention to politics until it's time to vote. For everyone stalking this election, that doesn't seem possible. 

But how about this. Look how far Obama has come in such a short amount of time. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine talked about this on Face the Nation this morning. Taken from that point of view, Obama could begin sweeping the polls in a few more weeks: 

Chicago Times: Axelrod & Co. can now include in its victory list the skinny unknown from Chicago who in one short year went from a mere 26 percent in the polls to toppling front-runner Hillary Clinton who was a full 22 points ahead of him last August.

"The national numbers mean nothing," said John Kupper, the "K" in AKP&D, last week by phone. "These are not national elections but state by state elections. We have vote goals. We know prior performance models."

In other words, this is now and always has been the sum of political component parts for the Obama operation, not a national popular election but a sophisticated, incremental accumulation of delegates in the primary, and electoral votes come November.

I'd also like to point out that the polls actually look good in states where Obama isn't supposed to be ahead. Like Colorado, Virginia, Michigan. It's even tight in Florida and Ohio.
The only places where McCain is running away, are states like Alabama. But even there, Obama has halved McCain's lead.

Kaine Vs. Rove on Face the Nation

Update: Fortunately Kaine was away and didn't have to share the same space with Rove, who made clear that McBush doesn't apply. It's McRove. Which is Bush. Other than that, no Earth shattering news from either side. 

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (and maybe Obama veep) and Icky Guy Karl Rove will debate on Face the Nation Sunday. Kaine will have to burn incense after he's done.

Case for Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine is a communicator. 

I'm officially for the Obama Kaine team. But I'd be happy if Obama chose Hillary or someone else. It's his choice. 

Check out what Virginia Governor Tim Kaine said about the Iraq war. I've never seen it put better. Simple and dead on.

CNN: McCain and Obama have different views on how to handle the situation in Iraq. McCain has said troop withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground, while Obama has advocated removing all combat brigades within 16 months of taking office.

"The problem with [McCain's] position, he says do it my way, no timeline, let's just have victory. He hasn't defined victory ... I think that's something that the American people, and especially men and women in service, are entitled to," Kaine said.

Tim Kaine and Obama seem like a team. They're both communicators and Kaine's fluent in Spanish. Bonus.
Here's some of Kaine's assets.

Kaine and Obama agree on issues such as capital punishment and abortion. They personally aren't For either but approach these social issues pragmatically. 

Kaine comes across as genuine and has always supported Obama. Kaine plays harmonica. Plus. He was a missionary. Plus. Kaine's bio. 

The wingnuts call a Kaine selection: putting "lipstick on the oinker" so you that's another plus for Kaine.

People have argued that he's too much like Obama. Well, Obama said that's exactly what he wanted, someone who shared his vision. Obama seems inclined to choose someone he can work with, as opposed to someone who can only help him win a state or win over voters. Obama has to do that on his own. If he can't win on his own, he probably shouldn't win. The same logic applies to choosing Hillary to appease some supporters.

The only perceived negative is that Kaine doesn't have military experience. But I think Obama can take care of that with cabinet positions. 

If Kaine is Obama's choice, it won't be announced next week. Obama's on vaca and Kaine is attending the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Southern Governors’ Association from August 8–11 in West Virginia. After vacation, the convention is in 2 weeks. 

I think Obama will wait until the convention to make his announcement. People say there will already be enough excitement at the convention without the announcement of a vice president and politically, Obama might want to have two moments. eh. 

An announcement at the convention would kick the campaign into high gear. The convention would be a great place to capture and build on the excitement. 

It's also good to make the media wait until the convention. That way, they'll have double duty after the convention-- spinning the vice president announcement and talking about the convention. That will keep them busy until McCain chooses his veep (or someone chooses his vice president for him).

Here's Tim Kaine

Michelle Obama Roundtable

Michelle Obama is holding a roundtable event in Norfolk -- live streaming at cnn.com.

Right now, a woman is talking about the poor healthcare system for people serving in the military and their families. She talked about the fact that she's serving her country even though she doesn't wear the uniform. Yes she is. She says the Bush administration hasn't cared much.

Michelle as Mother-in-ChiefIt seems that as first lady, Michelle is looking to lead family issues and be a role model.
Later, Michelle is attending a fundraiser with Virginia governor Tim Kaine:

Wednesday evening, she'll join Gov. Timothy Kaine for a fundraiser at the Harrison Opera House.

On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-3rd D.) will take part in a town hall in Newport News as the Obama campaign lays out a plan to “jump start the economy and create good-paying jobs,” according to a news release.

The 1:00 p.m. event will be held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, Local 540, at 7812 Warwick Blvd.

Three Debates for Obama and McCain

3 for Obama and McCain and 1 vice presidential debate for Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia, and Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota (I'm just guessing here).

These debates will likely seal the deal. Side by side, the differences will be crystal clear.

Schedule: 

The first debate planned by the commission is set for September 26 in Oxford, Mississippi, three weeks after the Republican National Convention concludes September 4. The other presidential debates are set for October 7 and October 15 and the vice presidential debate for October 2.

Swamp: Sen. Barack Obama's campaign released a letter today to the Commission on Presidential Debates that accepts their framework for three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate.

Campaign manager David Plouffe's language in the letter also seems to suggests it is unlikely Obama will take Sen. John McCain up on his challenge for additional town-hall-style debates.

Tim Kaine on Charlie Rose

More on Tim Kaine, possible Obama veep