GOP Has Fun With Kaine Video

A video promoting Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and the Democratic resurgence in Virginia is starting to pop up all over the Internet, just as the governor is being mentioned as a possible vice-presidential candidate for Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

Charles Kelly, Kaine's political director, said the Google ad is a "good way to engage potential voters" and draw them to the website of the governor's political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward.

"We are entering a period when the campaign season is really beginning to heat up," Kelly said. "Virginia is an important battleground this year with huge potential, but to meet that potential, we need to make sure voters are engaged."

But Virginia Republicans are mocking the video, which was also shown at the state Democratic convention last month. They say Kaine is just trying to build his national profile so Obama will ask him to join the ticket.

"When a bride gets stood up at the alter, she usually cancels the wedding video," said Gerry Scimeca, a spokesman for the Virginia Republican Party, referring to Kaine's unsuccessful effort this month to win passage of his transportation plan. "He had a disastrous special session, but that is the last thing on his mind. He could care less. He just wants to promote himself."

Kelly maintains the video is aimed at helping Democrats win Virginia this fall, not about Kaine's own political ambitions.

"To turn Virginia blue, we want people to be excited and active between now and election day," Kelly said.

Scimeca counters, "After the Super Bowl, it's always the winners that get the glossy video, but that ain't him and we are still getting the video."

By Tim Craig |  July 23, 2008; 4:26 PM ET  | Category:  Tim Craig
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