August 6, 2008
Posted: 04:00 PM ET

From
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, left, is Sen. Obama's national campaign co-chairman.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, left, is Sen. Obama's national campaign co-chairman.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a top supporter of Sen. Barack Obama, said Wednesday that while he's not running for Obama's vice president, he will do everything he can to help the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate win in Virginia.

"I'm not running for anything. … But my highest and best uses is trying to be a good governor and trying to help Sen. Obama in Virginia, which as you know traditionally hasn't gotten a lot of attention in presidential years," he told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

Kaine spoke from Norfolk, Virgina, where he spent the day with Michelle Obama talking to military members and their families.

"I really believe for the first time in 44 years that we have a great chance of getting the electoral votes in a blue column for Sen. Obama this fall," he added.

Virginia hasn't voted for a Democrat since President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 — but for more than a year, Obama's campaign has cited the state's 13 electoral votes as part of its argument that he can reshuffle the electoral map this fall.

Interactive: CNN Electoral Map

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor has said Virginia will play a "pivotal role" in the general election.

Kaine, a Roman Catholic, once worked as a missionary in Central America. He can speak about religious values, something Obama wants more Democrats to do. Kaine speaks fluent Spanish, and could help Obama with Latinos — another target group for Democrats.

Kaine was also born in Minnesota and went to college in Missouri, two swing states in the Midwest.

Stu Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report has said the Virginia governor "makes a lot of sense" for Obama. CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider spelled out some of the advantages: "He's young; he's fresh; he's new; he's an outsider."

Kaine also touched on offshore oil drilling Wednesday, saying that while he's "open to exploration" of gas reserves off the country's coast, there needs to be a "new assessment of the costs and benefits … In order to do that you need to look at the consequences."

Obama on August 1 eased his policy against offshore drilling, saying it could be part of a larger bi-partisan energy plan.

Like Obama, Kaine believes that the government needs to first drill in the nearly 70 million acres of land that is already leased to oil companies for drilling.

"They have acreage leased already that could do significant good," Kaine said.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Tim Kaine


nola   August 6th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

This blog has become infected with individuals that have an intense dislike to Obama – You have the right to vote for whomever you wish but I wish that you would at least take the time to educated yourself about the issues and each candidate position and proposals for how they intend to put this country back on course-before you voiced your position.

LINDA   August 6th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

TO THE PUMAS…. If you vote for Sen.McCain you will have 4-8yr,s of more hell and what you going threw right now.If you PUMAS…do Not vot for OBAMA then you will deserve everything you get. But i know you really don`t want to do that right because who in there right mind want,s to keep going through this hell for the next 4-8 yr,s.So you will do the right thing right and vote for Obama..HMMM……I wish you all well,

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

HA HA HA McCAIN JUST GOT SLAMMED ON …..CNN…..FOR SAYIN'G THAT OBAMA,S 'ECONOMIC SURGE' WILL NOT WORK…HA HA HA BUT IT WILLLLLLLLLLLL……..GET A LIFE McCAIN

OBAMA 08

jimmy velman   August 6th, 2008 8:46 pm ET

UNTIL GEORGE ALLEN CAME ON THE SCENE RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AND MADE THE MACACA RACIAL SLUR , VIRGINA WOULD HAVE VOTED REPUBLICAN. NONTHELESS, JIM WEBB AN UNKNOWN AS A POLITICIAN BUT WITH A SOLID MILITARY BACKGROUND PULLED AN UPSET OVER GEORGE ALLEN.
IT WOULD SEEM THEN THAT VIRGINIA WOULD BE VOTING FOR THE DEMOCRATS. BUT NOT SO FAST.. VIRGINIA IS ALSO THE HEART OF THE OLD CONFEDERACY. SO TAKE YOUR GUESS.

Tennisguypitt   August 6th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

I hope Americans WAKE UP and go blue. We cannot afford 4 more years of Republicans!

Obama '08

Guess Who?????   August 6th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

Oh!!! Why so sure????

Cynthia   August 6th, 2008 8:38 pm ET

With the shape that this country is in under a Republican Administration – all states should be blue.

Peter E   August 6th, 2008 8:37 pm ET

You know, if the MSM would stop dumping everything into arbitrary 'red' and 'blue' categories, people might actually start thinking and looking at issues, and politicians would stop bickering over pitiful semantics, which always end up on terrible 'purple' compromises that just continue to hurt us, and maybe start solving problems.
I declare myself gray! So there!

Peter E   August 6th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

Yes… great way to show how Obama is a 'uniter' by continuing the divisive categorization of people into the 'blue and 'red' columns…

The Nightingale Sings in Berkley Square   August 6th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

In your dreams. I just can't see Robert E. Lee's stating voting for a black candidate. Seems awfully implausible. Let's see what happens behind closed doors.

The pollsters and punsters make one sick. Don't you know how the voters will vote once they get behind closed doors. No one knows what happens behind closed doors. Hopefully the voting booths will have door closers.

Now for the news: I heard Obama decided to have a Muslim coordinator. I am sure many of his supporters are Muslim and that is okay. I think bam is a closet muslim himself. He quit his Christian Church and for what reason? Who knows? By the way, I just heard B'wana threw the new coordinator under the bus with his grandma.

BTW: Paris and obama are celebs without a portfolio. Both are famous for being famous for accomplishing nothing.

Obama is risky so is Paris; Obama has a funny name so does Paris; Obama sounds foreign, duh so does Paris.

Two birds of a feather if you ask me.

Dan, TX   August 6th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

To heck with Virginia, we're going to turn Texas Blue.

Chris11   August 6th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

I seriously doubt this will happen. Truth of it is that Kaine (as much as he tries to be or thinks he is) is no Mark Warner. Our previous Governor will get his Senate seat, but Kaine's influence is extremely minimal… and I really don't see Obama turning VA blue… It takes a candidate like Warner to do this.

RJ, CA   August 6th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

The AOl Straw Poll – REAL people voting REALTIME (without “sampling errors”): August 4-11 — 28,095 total votes cast — McCain 70%, Obama 30%.

victorhill   August 6th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

McCain’s insisting we have to drill now is very reminiscent of Bush’s insisting we had to invade Iraq now. It is about time we had a president who analyses situations, draws a conclusion and acts. What we need is an energy policy. If there is to be drilling which even McCain has not said will significantly lower oil prices, its time to to pas that legislation along with other measures to solve the energy problem. For eight years Bush did not look at the entire problem and now McCain wants to do the same. Only the oil companies have benefited from Bush policy.

What is going on here, why the rush and what is all this shouting about? McCain is acting too much like Bush to give me comfort. If he thinks that the problem is that urgent then he should be seeking to trade oil reserves with the national repository. But that is not what he wants. It is time to take a deep breath and listen to Obama. He wants to treat the problem and not make a splash with some quick action. An action whose outcome will help big oil but may do the people little good.

Its time to start with projects for alternative energy and to initiate gas efficiency standards that are higher than at present. If we allow drilling in the same legislation then we can get a bipartisan support for what this country needs.

Thanks Ron M

Que Quedas   August 6th, 2008 8:19 pm ET

Chickens …..that sounds like an imposture to me ……republican trash………since only 5% of Americans make over 200,000……there is alot of rethug trash out there………

Donna from Colorado Springs   August 6th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

Virginia should absolutely vote democratic this year. What has Bush ever done for them?

Phil From VA   August 6th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

I hope so. I am voting for Obama.

LINDA   August 6th, 2008 7:58 pm ET

TO TEXAS TRAIL DOG!!!!

YOUR IGNORANACE IS SHOWING NO MATTER WHAT RACE YOU ARE. YOUR COMMENT DOES NOT BELONG ON THIS BLOG.
………TRUST……

OBAMA 08

RJ, CA   August 6th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

So because Tim Kaine says so — it now is so? Don't think so! CNN — what investigative journalism have you conducted to substantiate this one man's opinion? Please report! Otherwise, shut up!

Don of Fairfax   August 6th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

Whatever you do Governor, remember you are a state employee . . . make sure you do it on your own time, with your own money.

Vote McCain 08

aware   August 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

I don't think so! Kaine couldn't give Virgina to Obama. Especially not if McCain chooses Eric Cantor for VP! It would positively go to Senator McCain ! :)

Carolyn   August 6th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

I wish PUMA would finbd other blogs to write on. You are getting very tiresome.

Dave, Illinois   August 6th, 2008 7:19 pm ET

Yeah right! Only if the prison population and illegal aliens are allowed to vote. Of course, as a Chicago Democrat, he does have the dead vote working for him! Obama and his sheep are going to cry come November.

TheTruthHurts   August 6th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

We'll see. He has a shot. It's all about turnout at fear at this point. I'm an elitist and I have to say, I wish Americans knew much more about energy, economics and law than they do. Ignorance (really a function of apathy) is our biggest challenge.

Chuck   August 6th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

Wonder how Virginia Dems feel being pawns for Kaine's VP pandering?

aaa   August 6th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

whole Map will go blue by Novemebr Mccain is war war war drill drill thats Mcshame

Texas Trail Dog!   August 6th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

OH KAINE WHY NOT BE OBAMA LITTLE RUNNING MATE. YOU KNOW WHEN YOU CAME DOWN TO IT OBAMA MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND HIM A LITTLE PAL TO PLAY WITH IN THE BIG OLD WHITE HOUSE. HE MAY HAVE TO SETTLE FOR OPRAH OR WHOOPIE GOLDBERG AS HIS RUNNING MATES. THEY BOTH HAVE THE MONEY TO PUT UP ADS THANKS TO ALL THE IGNORANT WHITE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THEM. BUT KNOW MORE. BYE, BYE OPRAH YOUR RATINGS ARE FALLING.

vote out dems   August 6th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Obama has to pick Kaine, someone with less experience ,anybody but kaine and obama looks like the unqualified man that he is.

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   August 6th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Want to bet?

Politically correct will stop behind the curtain.

Say something from the heart Obama :K   August 6th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Oh its sad he is only up a few points? He should be dominating at the current moment to say anything- the republicans have always killed the candidates

Face it- if Clinton couldn't win it -Obama won't

Oh and all you Obama supporters going to be calling me racist? Since im black/live in Illinois/and supported Clinton in the primaries and am now a Puma since I actually follow ISSUES?

McCain is second best to Clinton
he could serve as a bench warmer

ran   August 6th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

GO OBAMA. HE AND WHAT HE STANDS FOR WILL UNITE THIS COUNTRY IN SPITE OF THE HATE FROM PUMAS AND REPUBLICANS; WHO ARE ONLY FEAR/HATE MONGERS. OBAMA WILL BE POTUS TO US ALL. PEOPLE HAVE YOU NOT SEEN WHERE FEAR AND HATE HAS GOTTEN US IN THE LAST 8 YEARS. PLEASE CITIZENS WAKE UP OUR COUNTRY NEEDS OBAMA AND THE DEMOCRATS NOW MORE THEN EVER.

Independent Voter   August 6th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

Don't count your chickens, Barry. Michelle and you are not making the numbers in the polls (thank goodness!). You essentially DO NOT HAVE Bill Clinton's endorsement, and whether you like it or not, Americans still love Bill Clinton despite your cunning efforts to destroy him. All the while complaining about the politics of personal destruction.

We will all remember that when we go to the polls in November, Barry. You destroy, or at least try to destroy, all your obstacles, including people who make you look like a squealing, bleating complainer.

"Pot, Booze and Blow when I could afford it" Obama 95   August 6th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Great photo…

Kaine looks like he just ripped one… and Obama looks like he just noticed.

EC   August 6th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

YES it will! Obama 08

Charmaine, NY   August 6th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

I don't know people. He doesn't sound or look right for the ticket. Nice guy I'm sure, but I just don't know.

Alex   August 6th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Who is this guy Kaine? He's a Governor from the State of Virginia and is a virtual unknown nationwide. Its tough enough trying to figure out Obama. For Pete's sake, pick someone who people have heard about and know his track record. Evan Bayh is such a person and adds credibility to the ticket.

Charmaine, NY   August 6th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

I don't know if I like this guy. To be honest, I really don't want anyone but John Edwards. I think he would be just as honorable as Barack.

O/08

Fairfax, VA   August 6th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

I sure won't be voting for Obama.

Tejano   August 6th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

There is a reason why Virginia has not voted for a Democrat since
the debacle with President Johnson. LBJ promoted the Socialist
Agenda that has ruined millions of Americans that became dependent on the Welfare State. BHO will make Johnson and Carter
look like conservative Democrats.
Prediction: Obama will lose in Virginia and all of the South.

Ardnuas   August 6th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

Come on Virginia voters……. we can do this…… Obama/Kaine08

Megan   August 6th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Aah yes. The `tards are out and about on these blogs today. Barack Obama is the 'great divider.' If I remember correctly, precious Hillary and her hubby were spouting off hateful lyrics during her futile and disillusioned campaign that, thank god, fizzled. Since she finally backed off after more than wearing out her welcome, Barack has done his best to bring together the party. I loved the Clintons until I saw how far they would go to bring a fellow democrat down. They used every fear and hate mongering tactic they could think of to make people afraid to vote for him- felt like if she couldn't win, he couldn't either. Such a sense of entitlement. Even my beloved Bill let me down. Now, to the topic at hand; if such a backward hillbilly state as Virginia has a governor willing to support Barack Obama, that must mean something. The country is tired of the same.

PaulC   August 6th, 2008 6:52 pm ET

I would hope so. I hope that the IQ of Virginia breaks the 100 barrier and enters the 20th century. You can only take so much BS in support of the ban on stem cell research and gays.
Welcome to the rest of the world Virginia.

Bayou Joe   August 6th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, but his name is not Barak Hussein Obama. If you are looking for BHO to improve your life and give you everything you want, be prepared to give up your Freedom
and the ability to keep the money you earned. This is a Marxist
leaning candidate, more in line with Castro and Hugo Chavez than he is with you and me.

California Gold   August 6th, 2008 6:50 pm ET

I'm starting to imagine how McCain's concession speech will go in November. "My friends we have not lost. We are going to drill for oil right in the Senate, right now, right on the floor of Congress. We will bomb until we don't fear anyone or run out of targets. We will, uh, the economy is robust just like my hairline. Never forget the Alamo and all it stood for and when Moses walked out of the desert, I was right there telling him to surge on and Moses listened to me because I was a US Navy Aviator in Vietnam." Yea, something as nonsensical as that. :-)

Sheri   August 6th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

Good news for us dems and Obama. I hope it does happen.

Taren, Ohio   August 6th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

the entire rest of the world is blue, so why not virginia too?

the red team has done enough destruction, it's time for them to go!

Pat Riot   August 6th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

I doubt the liberty minded Virgina natives would ever vote for a tax and spend liberal like Obama. I've never seen an African American spit on civil liberties like this man has but he loves his FISA.

Ann Romero   August 6th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Hillary Clinton the best choice for Vice President.

No Hillary then No to Obama. McCain 2008 and Clinton 2012

Mike in MN   August 6th, 2008 6:43 pm ET

Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!, please make me stop laughing. He!He!He!

I thought Democrats only hated Republicans. But I see Obama supporters hate Hilliary supporters and Hillary supporters hate Obama supporters. And the names you all call each other, wow they are the same names you call us. I thought they were special names just for Republicans. I feel a bit diminished now.
And I see nasty remarks being made about Bayh too.

And Hillary supporters are planning an 18 million person march in Denver at the same time she is going to give her convention speech. They will be chanting for her to rise up. She will probably deny it, but most likely she is behind it. If Obama runs and wins, she will never be President. She will be too old in 2016, she knows this because all the Demes are saying McCain is too old. If she does not run this year or in 2012, she will never be President. So she must either get the nomination this year or make sure Obama does not win in 2008. She has 18 million supporters behind her.

With the Hillary/Obama drama going on, and the way Pelosi and Reid are running congress, it's like the best summer entertainment ever.

Democrats really want people to believe they are qualified to run this country? They can't even run their own party.

Felines for Freedom   August 6th, 2008 6:43 pm ET

I was (am) a Hillary fan and voted for her, but ugh, I am getting so sick of disgruntled Hillary fans bashing Obama and saying they will refuse to vote for him. Don't be stupid. Don't bite your nose off to spite your face. Or when we have George W the II in office come January and all the god awful policies of the past 8 years continue for at least 4 more years, you will have no one to blame but yourselves.

Laidetea   August 6th, 2008 6:37 pm ET

I am from Virginia. I am a democrat. I always voted democrat. Finally, there is someone like Barack to expose the Repub's and set things straight for America.

gary   August 6th, 2008 6:36 pm ET

OBAMA IS A BIG FLIPFLOPPER, CON MAN ,MEDIA CLOWN AND BIG JOKE. OBAMA IS SO ON HIMSELF HE PROBABLY KEEPS A MIRROR IN HIS POCKET.

Blue in a Red state   August 6th, 2008 6:36 pm ET

If the Dems want to win the Old Dominion state in Nov, they need to conduct a super get-out-the-vote campaign and try to catch the GOP by surprise. The fewer articles like this one, the better. Otherwise, the Reps will pour their resources into Virginia, so as to keep the South solid for their party. None of the political pundits thinks any southern state beside VA has a chance of switching from Red to Blue. But then, most of the pundits did not think Barack Obama had a chance to beat Hillary Clinton a year ago – so Who Knows?

Christiansburg, VA. for Nader   August 6th, 2008 6:30 pm ET

Not Christiansburg in Montgomery County … this here is Nader country!

We love us some Nader down here … yeah buddy!

Nader came to speak in this area once and I was so moved by his sincerity, knowledge and integrity, there is no one else I could vote for. Seriously … he is the man!

Nader '08 > '16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hans-Erik Iken   August 6th, 2008 6:24 pm ET

He seems a good, honest and loyal man. I guess he could be a good pick for Obama. I like Kaine's face: open and honest. But then again:
a used car salesman worth his money would have all that too ;-)

RB   August 6th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

This nation and the world could go blue for Obama! Isn't it amazing that republicans cite "other nations" when they talk about lowering taxes but don't want to hear a thing about "other nations" when those nations clearly support Obama? McBush is pulling the wool over people's eyes again. If you're dumb enough to elect another republican president, then those of you who are struggling to survive deserve what you get. You can continue to feel the pain for another 4-8 years. Have fun!

"Pot, Booze and Blow when I could afford it" Obama 95   August 6th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

Good luck…
I hope Michelle had a good talk with the 15 military members who showed up…. LOL… I'm sure the other 7500 were just busy… or out buying tire gauges so they wouldn't need to buy gas anymore.

Chickens of justice   August 6th, 2008 6:21 pm ET

Too bad Obama lost most of his own party due to the nasty gutter tactics of attacking fellow democrats: other candidate, ex-president, the democratic party voter base.

Too late to unring THAT bell.

Chickens coming home to roost   August 6th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

Not about blue states or red states- but about the UNITED states.

Obama has divided the democratic party… so he is not the uniter.

I will vote against Obama.

Ed Ward   August 6th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

Let's hope so.

We can't afford four more years of republican blunders.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP