WASHINGTON (CNN) - Barack Obama formally announced Thursday that Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, one of the president-elect’s closest allies who was once on the short list to become his running mate, will run the Democratic National Committee.
Watch: Obama announces Kaine as new head of DNC
Appearing with Kaine at DNC headquarters in Washington, Obama said the party must build on his campaign’s success by reaching out to Americans in every state and recruiting new candidates that share his governing philosophy.
“We must build a movement for change that can endure beyond a single election,” Obama said.
The man for that job, he said, is Kaine. Obama called the Virginia governor a progressive problem-solver who also understands that “politics is tough.”
He praised Kaine’s legislative record in the commonwealth, particularly his plans to expand early education access and fix Virginia’s clogged roadways, even though the governor has been forced to scale back those initiatives because of budget constraints.
Obama said Kaine - who will serve as governor and chairman simultaneously until his term in Richmond expires in January 2010 - is the right man “to remake the Democratic party to better meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
Kaine listed three goals, beginning with a promise to be “a passionate and positive promoter” of Obama’s agenda and to “carry a proud banner for a proud party.”
He said he was “most excited” to develop new ways to engage voters, much like the Obama campaign did throughout the 2008 presidential race.
“The story of this campaign was less about the inspiration and more about the organization,” Kaine said.
Despite the noticeable absence of current DNC chair Howard Dean, who was traveling to American Samoa, both men praised Dean as a “visionary” because of his implementation of the so-called “50-state strategy” that funneled party resources to traditionally Republican regions of the country. Kaine said he has “huge shoes to fill.”
Although the announcement was billed a “press conference,” the pair did not take any questions from reporters.
After the event, the DNC announced that the veteran political organizer Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, who worked for John Edwards in 2008, will be the party’s executive director.
From CNN Politics
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Geez...c'mon CNN...proofread the headline at the very least. I mean, nobody seems to be reading past that anyway, so it's the least you could do.
"Obama Announces as Kaine as DNC Chair"???
Did you hear Obama's economic speech today???? Such doom and gloom from someone who was supposed to give us such Hope. What a leader he is indeed.
Dat man mus be smart. He a demorat.
luv da demorat.
Rpublikanz iz stuupid.
Congrats Chairman Kaine!
Obama yet again proves to be a smart, decent, cool-headed, and intelligent politician...
I have no doubt in my mind that America will be in great hands under this inspirational figure for the next four (or hopefully eight) years!
Good job President Obama! I can't wait until January 20th!
Come on CNN:
Obama formally announces as Kaine as DNC chair?
Stop typing so fast and watch the mistakes.
Howard Dean did a great job – let's hope this guy can at least keep that going, if not improve the party's appeal to others. Can this guy make me fall over laughing with a single weird yelp at a gathering? His first challenge, ladies and gentlemen.
The Democratic Party isn't ideal – it still has a lot of negatives toward modern issues, like being against Gay Marriage and 'fuzzy' on a Woman's Repro Rights – but at least they aren't the Republicans!
GO DNC!!!!
Go Kaine! Go Virginia!
DID HE READ THE QUARM FROM FRONT TO REAR ?
ALL HIS APPOINTEES HAVE GOTTEN ONE . WRIGHT.
kaine is a CIA plant.
Only fair of him to give ti to Kaine since he helped him win VA. Most of VA voted for McCain but N. Va. Kaine was the reason and it was very narrow
Finally! A move in the right direction.
Now that Dean is gone, let's hope that Ried, Pelosi, Dodd, Frank, and Rangel will soon follow.
Independant vet I would say you were an idiot but since that is possible cruel and I was taught not to be cruel to the mentally challenged I will simply ask you two questions.
Is President (elect) Obama a Muslim or is he a member of an AME Christian Church that you do not agree with? You see I have trouble figuring it out. One last question what does President (elect) Obama's religion have to do with appointing a new head to the DNC anyway?
idiots
@Independant Vet – Your innuendo concerning Rev Wright has little to do with the article on the appointment of Gov Tim Kaine’s to the DNC. I guess if you have nothing of substance to say just throw anything out there. By the way Rev Wright is a Marine. He served combat tours in Vietnam and speaks five different languages fluently. Although I don’t agree with everything he espouses, I do honor his service and uphold his right to free speech.
Good for Kaine. He was a great govt for Virginia
Hey Independant Vet, what exactly is a "Quarm"? Actually you are right on one point, Wright is right on many issues but he probably doesn't have a "quarm" whatever that may be.
As far as doom and gloom John, thanks to the Bush administration that is what we are left with. Obama does give us hope that things will improve...
On another note, good job PE Obama, I think Kaine is a great choice for DNC chair.
Great.
WHERE IS THE PAST DNC CHAIRMAN HOWARD DEAN TO DO THE HANDOFF??
Oh how I wish President-Elect Obama would start supporting the United States Constitution rather than circumventing it. Also, what happened to his kids? Were they beaten about the head and shoulders or have they always been that ugly? Man, the youngest could scare a buzzard off a gut truck
Does the Democratic Party still refuse to accept the blame for the current economic crisis? The economy was fine until the Dems took over in congress!
As of now, the economy is in the toilet and on January 20th, it's going to be flushed.
Alex of NY is uglier than anyone with his cruel comments about the Obama children. He needs to get a life. It is sad that you print such comments. I guess we have to show that ugly side of our society, with freedom of speech.....
Hey Alex of NY – Just exactly how is Obama circumventing the Constitution? By announcing the new chair of his political party? Gee, I don't remember that Clause ...
And how dare you say such hateful things about his daughters! They are both lovely young girls (with such attractive parents, it's not a surprise). You, on the other hand, are probably incredibly horrifying to look at, given the amount of bitterness and hatred you so obviously carry inside of you. Sad, sorry, pathetic ... your mama must be so proud ...
John...you can thank doom and gloom on the Bush years and scandalous abuse of power at this point PE Obama is doing what it takes to keep us from becoming a 3rd world country thanks to the good old boys who ran us into the ground the last 8 years.
@ jOHN 5:25....NOW we have a 'LEADER' who will actually 'LEAD' instead of eating a pretzel choking or not ducking shoes.
President Obama is letting the world know that he has to clean up the mess DUBYA made along with Cheney and the other greedy oil pals.
@ Independent Vet...is this the best you can do. Uh let me think, Cheney and Halliburton, Bush and katrina, not reading the memo prior to 9-11, and o gee yeah the going into office with a SURPLUS and leaving with a deficit and recession. Yeah, you have DUBYA to be proud of.
9-11 happenen on Bush watch.....period!
CONGRATS GOVERNOR KAINE AND HOPE YOU KEEP UP HOWARD DEAN'S GOOD WORK....YEEHAW!!
Wow! Alex, you have issues. Making fun of a child's looks? Really? Grow up! You're pretty ugly on the inside, yourself.
P.S. – She's cute as a button, so whatever!
John> He's being realistic. I'd rather hear worse-case scenerio than be lied to.
Canicallyoujoe> Right on. Dean had me at Primal Scream.
Isn't Kaine still the Governor of Virginia? Until When?
This takes effect when CNN? Will he be doing two jobs at once?
Let's have a higher quality of reporting that answers the obvious questions.
What happened...were there no other candidates for the job???? Or is it those that payed to play are the benefactors?????????
Can hardly wait for Jan. 20th!
Finally a leader who knows how to be a leader... and plans to look out for his base.... the very ones who paid for his campaign... We, the People! All of us... whether you voted for him or not.
Suck it up, Repubs... you lost! Now get with the program or get trampled and left behind in the stampede!
Tim Kaine is as worthless as teats on a bull, he was worthless as a Richmond city councilman, worthless as Richmond mayor and worthless as a governor, the guy has accomplished NOTHING while in any office!!!!
I certainly expect no more from him now.
I hope Howard Dean's Fifty-state strategy is rewarded in one way or another. Obama has to recognize that it's Dean who came up with the idea of internet fundraising. I hope President-elect finds him something else to do.
Alex of NY.... Barack Obama taught constitutional law for ten years... he knows that constitution inside and out! Better check your history books... your ignorance is showing!
John, what a leader he is indeed! He has inherited a living hell from the Bush/Cheney administrations! And you are crying doom and gloom? Really? I mean seriously... are you losing your mind, man?
To Alex of NY, your a dirt bag!
Get some help!
As a Virginian, I'm very disappointed in Gov. Kaine and what he's done with Virginia since Mark Warner left the office. I think this is a very foolish move on Obama's part. The only good thing is that it gets him away from us! It can't come quick enough. Let Kaine mess up the DNC now like he's done the Commonwealth.
Sean, as stated I couldn't agree more. If he runs the DNC and the 2012 election campaign like he has in previous offices we'd better get used to saying President Palin. You've heard of "Sleepless in Seattle" this guy is "Clueless in Virginia". Anyone who thinks this is a good choice is sadly mis-informed, and I'm a DEM!
The Democratic party is a "NOVA"(a bright star,that's already burned out)
Go Tim Kaine! He's not VP, but this is still good!
They look like they were getting ready to kiss each other.
I guess they must be really close.
Alex of NY,
get a life scumbag