CNN

As an elected official he should be representing the people who put him in power and not his very personal relationship as a Catholic. I am very disappointed in Kaine.

I hope Tim Kaine will be in need of a cure someday soon and all he receives is a good dose of karma. Bummer man!

Apparently Gov. Kaine and no one in his immediate family has one of the scores of diseases that can be helped with stem cell research.

We need medical advancements. It's been a long time since we've had significant cures. With idiots like Gov. Kaine, cures for a number of diseases will come to a stand still.

Wow, this might just do it. If we have a pro-life DNC chairman and a pro-abortion RNC chairman I just might be persuaded to switch to the Democratic party.

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money. Margaret Thatcher.

Perhaps you Liberals need to re-think your abortion position. You will need someone to pay for all of these social programs in the future.

Since when does Kaine's religious belief become the law of his state? Last time I checked, this country was not based on the Christian faith. Religion and govt were to be separated. What do you want done with embryos that are not going to be implanted? Let's get Nadya Suleman and implant them in her. But using them for research to save lives is not allowed. You make me nauseous! Those of you who purport to know what the science of this issue is, you are ignorant.

Bummer. And to think we had one of them walking amongst us. Kaine needs to turn tail and join the Republican ranks.

Tim Kaine should have persued a career in the Priesthood instead of Governor. What was he thinking?!?

Kaine is a Christian ..and he is holding to his convictions..I respect that.

It's called State Rights. You can read more about it in "The Constitution"

The democrats will throw him under the bus for opposing this and abortion. Iam a pro choice republican but I know that pro choice republicans have a place in the party unlike pro life democrats. The democrats are as nasty and agressive as their union bosses are.

I find it funny that the same people who are whining about how the loony left with attack Gov Kaine are the same right-wingnut idiots who attacked the 3 Republican Senators who went against their party and voted their conscience for the stimulus bill. They are the same idiots who will attack any Republican who are pro-choice or don’t listen to talk radio or fox news, and then have the nerve to get self-righteous with the Dems.

It's good to see somebody stand up for what they believe in regardless of what party there affiliated with. Agree or disagree I have respect for a person like that. At least he follows his own consonance instead of the party line,we need more people like that in government instead of the lap dogs we have now,instead of those that suck up to the vote and money train just to stay elected. Sometime you just have to take a stand no matter the cost. Sadly very few ever do.

Tim Kaine now thinks he's entitled to play God.

Edward Stafford,

If you feel that embryos are "human life", then should fertility clinics that routinely throw away thousands of them a year be shut down and their proprieters put in prison for murder?

He supports research, but doesn't want the taxpayers to pay for it? Just where and how does Gov. Kaine expect the funds to come from......GOD? Gov. Kaine is a DUMB IDIOT!

Kaine is one Democrat that NEEDS TO GO!

Well done Governor Kaine. Embryonic stem cell is an unproven, tentative, unlikely-to-succeed, and moraly questionable practice. It is much wiser and scientifcally sensible to put money into research on non-embryonic pluripotent stem cells, placental stem cells, and so-called adult stem cells, the last of which have yielded real medical benefits, than on speculative research that attacks human life.

You people just make me want to bang my head against a wall until I am knocked out. Did y'all even read the article? He is blocking funding for EMBRYONIC stem cell research, because there is more promise in ADULT or PLACENTAL stem cell research.
Man, you Democrats will eat your own young if they disagree with you.

To Amy ~ 3/31/09 @5:22 p.m.
You got that right!

President Obama needs to realize that there are more qualified people who would be more effective than Gov. Kaine. I truly hope that Gov. Kaine pursues other avenues to promote his personal views.

I too am a pro life Democrat, and like Tim Kaine I respect the human rights of ALL, not just those who can raise hell or donate money. The reality is that embryonic stem cells are not needed anymore. I know many who read this will doubt me, but do some research. The latest research has found that our own skin cells will be able to be treated to make the cells behave like stem cells, and obviously the fact that they come from the individual needing the cells is ideal because of the perfect genetic match. I was disappointed when Barack did not pick Tim for VP, but I still think Barack is doing a great job. I just wish that when we think about the rights of gays, women, children, animals, etc., we would also consider the rights of those without a voice.

Gov. Kaine now thinks he's entitled to play GOD.

Better watch it Governor, you're crossing the Great Obama. Don't you know that by being a Democrat you have to be for the murder of innocent babies? That's how it works, you fight for the rights of terrorists and murders, but completely ignore the rights of the unborn. You shouldn't let your faith get to you, after all, the unborn can't vote, so they don't count as real voters anyhow.

You really should read some of these posters here. Never mind the fact that NOTHING POSITIVE has yet to be attained from experiments on embryonic cells, that doesn't matter. You need to put your petty little things like your faith and any feelings you have for the unborn aside. Don't you know it's a right to defend (and eventually support) terrorists and murders and ignore and kill unborn babies? Well, a Democrat right at least.

And all these people bashing him for his faith, some day you're gonna have to answer to God. Better get ready for an extended stay in a 'warmer' climate.

Kaine is President Obama's first mistake....Kick Gov. Kaine off his perch!

You people are a bunch of sheep.
Stemcell research is still unproven and not a miracle cure.
They are not going to grow a new nerve canal for people that can not walk.
Growing body parts and clones to use as body parts is the next step.
The research is already beyond host stem cells, but you people only buy into your party lines and fail to understand that.
He was elected by the people of Virginia and he is a man of integrity and conscience. Unlike barack who goes where the polls take him. Barack is just a little cheerleader.

I voted for Kaine and have to say I'm disappointed in his stance. I've always believed that policy decisions should be made on the basis of sound, fact-based, reasonable judgment by any individual representing his/her constituents. There is no basis in fact that banning funding for embryonic stem cell research will preserve life by saving embroyos. Quite the contrary – they will be discarded by the fertility clinics that produce them. Where is the logic in that?

And for those posters who think embryonic stem cell research is junk science and unjustified, there was a story just this week that researchers have already produced promising results in creating blood – 100% disease-free blood – from embryonic stem cells. Junk science? I don't think so.

I'm a Catholic, however, medical science must progress. Gov. Kaine really needs to get with the times or else become a priest. If he practices what he preaches then he must not believe in birth control either. Will Gov. Kaine vote against that also? Moron.

Good Man Kaine.

"Evan, uh, perhaps you should read the article. The governor's communications director said that Kaine's decision is "in keeping with his faith and his personal beliefs.""

To be sure, I made my comment in frustration with Kaine's office as much as anyone else. That said, one cans still offer reasoned opinions that are also in keeping with faith and beliefs... doesn't mean they are thus not reasonable. Presumably Obama's commitment to embryonic research is also in keeping with his faith and personal beliefs, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a reasonable basis as well.

No, christianity is not about tolerance. You either believe that the bible is the undisputed word of God and do your best to live by it or you aren't a christian. You just don't rewrite the bible to make it fit your lifestyle. By the way, christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus loves all people. This does not mean he is tolerant of sinful behavior. Also, most republicans believe that all life is sacred. This means all life and that it starts at conception. Republicans aren't against stem cell research. They just don't believe in EMBRYONIC stem cell research. There are other ways of getting stem cells that don't include creating life to destroy it. Most republicans also believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. God does too. Why do you think he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah? Go read Genesis18 and 19 and see how God feels about homosexuality. God is also prolife. He created it.

Governor Kaine is a true idiot. This is one Democrat that needs to be black-balled.

And we all know that if this research resulted in a cure for a serious illness that Kaine would wind up suffering, he'd be the first one in line to get the scientific-breakthrough cure.

I truly believe that Gov. Kaine is a Republican in sheeps clothing. He's been known to party with Rushy!

Moderate Democrat March 31st, 2009 4:23 pm ET

Republicans and GOP, quick question:

If we started calling abortion "A double edged sword of "Pro-active Capital Punishment" and an "Anti-Terrorism Policy" that exterminates the 'suspects' at the source." And then threw in a retarded slogan, something like "War is Hell!". Would you be for it then?
----------------

If you volunteer yourself as a candidate for a very late term abortion, then yes.

Keane was elected to represent all the voters of his state, not his own religious and moral commitments.

I hope and pray when Gov. Kaine and his relatives are need of medical cures, they receive Karma.

Who needs a cure? Just pray for one with Gov. Kaine.!! IDIOT!

When you need a medical cure...remember Kaine was the idiot who blocked any research. Moron.

Wow, when I am right I am right. All I see is tons of "you should resign," "you are an idiot" "shut up and go away"

It seems that fellow Democrats don't like people who don't agree with their point of view. You guys all realize this is what killed the Democratic party 8 years ago when Clinton and Gore had their falling out. Why don't you all just grow up, and stop being children.

I wish we could get some real rational people on the comments, not just a bunch of Pro-Obama-if-You-disagree-how-dare-you maniacs on here. *sigh*

He won't be head of the DNC long. Bye, bye....You dance to the tune of the President or you're history.

Finally Kaine does something right before he leaves office. He does care about right and wrong at least in this case.

one more thing: John McCain voted 95% with Bush...I'd say he towed the party lane quite EXTENSIVELY. He was not an exception. A better example from the republican might be the governor of Florida

@Shooky

Uhhmmm...which POLITICAL leader has thrown Kaine under the bus. You are talking about posters on a blog, BIG DEAL. Talk to me when Obama throws him under the bus, or when Pelosi throws him under the bus (don't like Pelosi either...so we agree on something) throws him under the bus.

Until then, be a good blogger, and wait for it to happen before talking about it.

First, for those that continue to put scientific research as an excuse/rationale for embryonic stem cell research should consider these appalling recent scientific experiments (that did gain results).

Research on syphilis that would save lives and suffering in Tuskegee.

During WWII, Nazi doctors and scientists performed experiments on individuals deemed “lives unworthy of life” (Lebensunwertes Leben), among them: Jews, Gypsies, physically or mentally ill patients, political dissidents and prisoners, and homosexuals. The experiments consisted of studies on twin genetics, freezing and hypothermia, infectious agents, high altitude, sterilization, experimental surgery, and traumatic injury.

Ethics should matter. All life (or any other euphemism or semantic you would call it) should be given the benefit of the doubt. We should be very careful on this slippery slope.

So let people in other states fund it, research it, and then Kaine will use it? Sorry, I think we'll keep our findings and cures out of Virginia...he obviously thinks God is talking to him.

True true. Very rare. But better late then never then to go down with the ship. Maybe other democrats will bail themselves out if they are smart enough.

Oh give me a break.....your personal beliefs are yours alone....not the majority of people you supposedly represent.

The beauty of the Democrat Party. We do not have to agree on every social issue in order to govern the Nation and serve its people. States can determine their own policies, laws and positions, and the Federal government can fund research and development considered to be in the best interests of the Nation. Discourse, analysis and communication are all good things. Divisiveness, rabid ideology and secret agendas not so much.

Good Job, Kaine, distance yourself from Obama....no need to take a fall for his mistakes; especially his moral mistakes.

Why is it that politicians take "moral" stands only on issues that do not affect themselves?

@Moderate Democrat, BusyMom & Blue Dog

Your posts would've made more sense had it not been for the posts of Gene, H Martin, Dutch/Bad News, Boehner bo ner, xargaw, and Frank which were all obvious contradictions to your statement. Apparently it's NOT acceptable to not toe the party line. It's sounds nice to act as if your party is so welcoming of opposing viewpoints, but usually they aren't (that goes for both Democrats and Republicans). Both parties though do have a few acceptions... John McCain was the Republican nominee for President. HARDLY someone that falls in lock step with his party.

While I don't agree with half of his decision (fertility centers ahve to get rid of fetuses after a point anyway), I have no problem with someone staying with their beliefs, which are also of public record.

It's not always a religious thing if you believe a life starts at conception (although it appears to be in this case). I know many atheists who believe this. There's lots of laws that appear based on religion... lying (in court/on records etc), bigammy, murder etc etc. Should these be changed?

@ Mike, who said "To deny scripture based evidence on this fact is to deny God."

You know, perhaps you just highlighted the problem for everyone: SCRIPTURE IS NOT EVIDENCE. There is a fundamental difference between DOGMA, which is what scripture and "catholic law" and religious tenets are, and EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE. The Bible does NOT tell you how the world works...it suggests (and, I understand that for some it demands) how you should live in it.

Please read the entire article. I disagree with allowing religious dogma to dictate public policy, but Kaine is still willing to use other types of stem cells besides those from embryos. This is not an either-or scenario. VA can have it both ways. They can use other stem cells, just not ones from abortions. As an agnostic Virginian, that's a compromise I can live with if it'll get my gun-rack toting fellow statesmen on the bus back to the middle ground.

If they allow "Choose Life" license plates, they should allow "Freedom of Choice", or "Choose Abortion" or whatever as well. This is not North Korea, we should be able to express multiple viewpoints in this country, though many in the Neocon Party, and a few Democrats, would rather dictate based on the loud minority.

Evan, uh, perhaps you should read the article. The governor's communications director said that Kaine's decision is "in keeping with his faith and his personal beliefs."

So, it, in fact, is a "religious" and "private" stance.

Responsing to Mike:

"scripture based evidence"? Sorry, but that doesn't exist.

What do those who oppose stem cell research think happens to those embryo's that aren't used in fertility clinics?

They are discarded with the rest of the "medical waste" and have been since this technology was first used.

Thrown out in the garbage to be incinerated just like pulled teeth, bad appendixes, tonsils, amputated toes from diabetics etc, etc.

Why not put them to use – I mean you don't even utter a peep while they are being treated like garbage every minute of every day?

How twisted is that?

@ SuperMod, who said "1) Only ideas to solve the problems is spend money we do not have
2) Sore losers. Still can't get over losing the 2000 election.
3) Disingenuous. Making up issues that don't really contribute to solving issues such as AIG bonuses
4) Uncompromising and inflexible. My way or the highway attitude with the stimulus bill
5) Behind the times. Still promoting spending as the cure all
6) Hypocritical. Criticizes everyone who does not have their beliefs and then calls everyone else out for criticizing like them
7) Shrill. Dems do not seem interested in discussion if it means listening to the facts (CBO projections)
Dishonest. All of the above tactics add up to not wanting to be an honest good faith player to govern as the majority party.
9) Blaming others. The Dems need to take responsibility for their actions and words. Stop using Bush as a crutch when the housing bubble started before he took office. Look at what the Dems said when Bush tried to fix Fannie and Freddie in his first term."

Thank you for your rousing display of a GOPer saying "I know you are but what am I?" Playground politics put you guys in the place you're in. When are you going to accept responsibility for the FACT that it is the GOP perceived by the majority of the country in the manner you just described, so you can move to step 2 and rectify it by owning up to it, showing accountability and CHANGING?

Finally, a democrat with some stones to challenge the high and mighty Obama! And also one with brains to think on his own....go figure.

Here is some advice..

Obama – you have to do better job of explaining stem cells to the general public as most people do not know or are misinformed on what they really are.

This may come as a surprise to you but research in the stem cell field grew out of findings by Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till in the 1960s.

Add to this that fact that Roman Catholics are the prodominat faith here in Canada.

The discussion needs to be reframed! But it all starts with education!

Oh well................embryonic stem cell research, is very important for
our country and for the people it may help.....Kaine is making the wrong decision. He is going on his religious views.......He is a Dem., one thing about Dem., they can speak their mind and Dem are open.

There are conservative Democrats but they are just more logical than right wing zingers.

I love how an opposition to embryonic research or abortion is automatically one's "private" or "religious" stance. As if the case for protection of unborn human life as a legitimate right of moral personhood isn't a coherent argument on non-sectarian moral grounds.

Thank you, Gov. Kaine. I do hope you stick by your decision. I don't have the same confidence in Democratic acceptance of differing views as some posters here do, and I imagine it could be a tough road on this matter.

I'm so tired of people forcing their religious beliefs on the world. Isn't one of the ideas of Christianity supposed to be tolerance?

Republicans and GOP, quick question:

If we started calling abortion "A double edged sword of "Pro-active Capital Punishment" and an "Anti-Terrorism Policy" that exterminates the 'suspects' at the source." And then threw in a retarded slogan, something like "War is Hell!". Would you be for it then?

Good job Governor!!!

Though I disagree with Kaine, I applaud him for having the fortitude to depart from the mainstream Dem. ideology and I also applaud the Democratic party for (so far at least) not admonishing him for it.

However, I do think that basing policy on religious beliefs fundamentally goes against founding principles of our government.

Good for him! There are those of us who are pro-life Democrats.

Oust the guy. He can think whatever he wants, but he shouldn't be the Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Oh well, I guess there goes some jobs at the lab.....

All respect for Kaine is lost

Governor Kaine, you may want to pick out a nice comfy spot under Obama's bus because that's where you're going to end up. Opposition will not be tolerated.

Finally a Democrat with a moral compass.

not a bad idea. keep it in the blue for 2012!

Finally a Democrat with some common sense.

what a maroon. i'm glad i quit the DNC ,after obama's disastrous townhall.

Opposing state funds to pursue stem cell research will only hold your state back from doing important research that saves lives. Simply look at the advances being made now... from curing type 1 diabetes to creating beating hearts for transplantation to wound healing and so much more!
Holding your state back from these research endeavors will accomplish absolutely nothing positive. It will not hold back research elsewhere. The only thing you will accomplish is a further 'brain-drain' from the state of Virginia as scientists leave for better climates for needed research.
Opposing embryonic stem cell research currently stems from a fallacy... that embryos MUST be destroyed to harvest these cells. While that was once true, it no longer is. All that was needed was time to improve methods of obtaining the cells in a non destructive manner. Now that such methods HAVE BEEN developed, there is no longer any sort of moral grounds to oppose such research. There only remains ignorance.

Why...?

Human life begins at conception. To deny scripture based evidence on this fact is to deny God. If we as a nation allow our leadership to adopt immoral, unethical policies like stem cell research from aborted fetusus then we must accept the judgement from the Lord along with it. Remember, we the people have the ability to control what our leaders in D.C do.

Obama is an open-minded individual. I would think that he would respect Kaine's right to his own beliefs. There are Democrats who are Pro Choice or No Choice but that's ok, it's called diversity.

C'mon Gov. Kaine...I respect your personal beliefs, but don't let them interfere with progress and science. I could care less about the license plates; let people express their opinions however they would like. In terms of stem cell research, however, the governor should not let his personal beliefs dictate state policy.

If his opinions are that differing from the platform of the Democratic party then he probably should not be head of the DNC.

Didn't this goofball support Obama signing that rescinding order? Are all liberals just plain hypocrites, or just the vast majority of them?

Good for him sticking to his principles.

There should be room for all points of view in a democratic party. Obama is also PRO LIFE, remember?
And Choose Life licence plates are just fine!

If Kaine is against using taxpayers--and agrees to the broad policy of releasing the ban on embroynic stem cell research---it is OK for the taxpayer to pay the federal portion to support stem cell research--it is just that he doesn't want state funding to support it-right? How much federal funding is Virginai receiving? Another rising DNC star--where are the real true grit men?

Disappointed in you mr. kaine, you are acting like a rethuglican!

Great. Here's something that has no capacity for pain, and will never have any capacity for pain unless it is gestated by a woman until the 3rd trimester when all studies show that the capacity for pain is developed.
But somehow it is more important to disregard the suffering of people for something that will likely be discarded as biomedical waste.

Tell me something- when the laboratory throws is out- will there be a law that says that there has to be a funeral and a death certificate?

Is Tim Kaine going to lead the push for social security numbers for every embryo?

Hmmf. I didn't think so.

Thanks for the transparency President Obama, how refreshing and what a nice change! Let';s see how those rabid rethugs spin this into something negative. BTW GWB bankrupted this country spending all our money in Iraq. President Obama is spending all his stimulus money in America and the rethugs have a problem with that!

It looks like Daine and BoBo are on the same sheet of music-–doesn't it.

At least there is one SMART democrate that saw the truth behind the Obama disttractions, Thank you

Whatever, Virginia always goes rogue

OK, what is the problem. He has a right and duty to "be true to thyself". Is there not enouph news out here for CNN to report. Mr. Kaine is the GOV of VA, not just the DNC Chair or a father, brother, son. Get over it.

If he was a repub they would kick him out of the clan

Finally, a man that is true to his beliefs and not afraid to show it. A real man. We have so few of those in this country.

As much as I disagree with Kaine, I have to marvel at the concept of a man sticking to his beliefs and his party not only not throwing him under the bus, but giving him a place of authority.

Again, I think his position is founded out of ignorance and a complete disregard for anybody else thatis not like him (republican traits), but it is HIS opinion.

Take note conservative crazies...

This shows to me that the Democrats are willing to accept people who have a wide range of views on controversal issues. I don't hear fellow Democrats shouting him down. I am sure that if a Republican governor were to allow this kind of research, the other members of the GOP leadership (Limbaugh, Coulter and others) would call this guy a baby killer or some other nasty phrase.

Many thanks to Gov. Tim Kaine for standing on moral principle regardless of political party.

Funny, nobody posted any comments on this one, but I saw all the hateful rhetoric about the young congressman. I guess, nobody is interested in the issues within the Democratic Party with the infighting we have, as long as we can take cheap popshots at Republicans.

Or, either CNN is not moderating or posting any comments for this one. Interesting...either way, it is nice to see some people (VA Governor) standing up to the POTUS and speaking his mind.

No wait for all the hateful liberals to chime in with their "Go Away Kaine" or other non-rational posts about "Shut Up Kaine." It really annoys me that so many people are so in love with Obama that get outraged when people speak their opinions and voice that may not coincide with their own...sad state of affairs.

A democrat I can agree with. Kaine does not disagree that embryonic stem cell research is important...... what he disagrees with is taxpayer funding of it. HALF of all taxpayers prefer not to use their dollars this way. Bravo for standing up to the dictator!

Tim Kane has never made it a secret that he is opposed to abortion so this is no surprise. It is not the "Pro Choice" view of the democratic party, but as a governor he is doing what he thinks is right. I have no problem with it and it just shows that everything isn't black and white with either party. America is a vast and diverse nation and both parties need to realize this.

January? This is ridiculous. Mr. Kaine was a poor choice for party chairman and should step down. I feel that there is definitely room for lots of dissenting ideas within the Democratic Party. However, if you feel morally opposed to aspects of the party agenda, why are you leading it?

Sounds like this guy should have Steele's job.

noooooooooooooo, that's really sad he seemed like such a great guy. I'm really disheartened by this and am a strong supporter of stem cell research. I can only hope they vote him out of office for someone who supports stem cell research because of it's importance to human live's and those suffering with desease's that this offers a promise hope for a cure.

He's not falling in line with the Messiah? He must be destroyed. Time to bring the DNC billboard car back from the Florida attacks on Limbaugh and rework it to attack this false democrat.

Kaine's support for the legislation is not surprising: He is a staunch Catholic who has long opposed using taxpayer money for embryonic stem cell research. But the platform of the Democratic Party, now headed by Kaine at Obama's behest, describes embryonic stem cell research as "research that could save lives."

And this is, in a nutshell, what separates the DNC from the RNC.
Yes We Can have divergent view points.
And no I do NOT agree with the Virginia Governor.

I guess he lied long enough to get his positiion, now let's see him try to keep it.

A politician setting policies based on his own religious sensibilities is completely indefensible. No one has the right to dictate to others in this way. I am sorely disappointed in Kaine.

I'm deeply disappointed.

Now if he was fiscally conservative and believed in a strong Dept. of Defense I could consider voting for him for President but like John Breau of Louisiana the democratic party will never let him win the primary since he is not a leftist like Obama who I could never vote for after hearing his speeches during the primary about gutting the military.

Great Job Governor Kaine. It is very nice to see someone stand up for what they believe in and what is right.
I dont agree with the guy on many things but here is some commonality.

God forbid a politician doesn't vote along strict party lines. Can't wait to hear the far left go nuts over this.

Extremism on either side of the isle is a detriment to this country!

"Choose Life" license plates? Are you kidding me? Why stop there, I should be able to write in my own custom political argument on my plates. How bout "How did Tim Kaine get elected?".

Gov. Kaine can have his own opinion but he is the governor of all the people in his state, not just the Catholics. Stem cell research was almost completely stopped for 8 years because Bush didnt like it either and look how far we could have gone. Check back in 2016 to see what dicoveries have been made due to embryonic stem cell research and that is where we would be today if Bush had not let his personal ideologue control the funding.

It looks like the two that were next in line for VP are getting some payback for not getting picked.

Pathetic. With democrats like him who needs Republicans ...

Um Yeah....good luck getting re-elected! People need to keep their religion out of their politics!

Just make sure if you are ever dying of anything you refuse any treatment coming from this science even if its the only way to save you.

Good for you Kaine!!!!!!!! Someone needs to block it!!!

He has a right to do that, to vote to the conscience of his constituency. Maybe VA voters should vote a different Democrat or a pro-life, anti-stem cell Republican, if that's the way they feel as a state.
Are the DNC and RNC leads allowed to break from party line? I would think so, but then the power of politics to influence free thinking and speech have never been a deterrent to career politicians.how much you want to bet he switches parties?

Tim Kaine has he right to promote any policy position he wants as Governor of Virginia; however, if he cannot support the platform of the Democratic Party, he should resign as Chairman of the DNC. Bring back Howard Dean!

Kaine should resign as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee if he has such a problem with its platform.

"Pro-Life"ers are logically incorrect.

There are more miscarriages than human-caused abortions in the US in an average year.

So, basically since your God is all knowing, the he chooses when we all die, that means God is more cruel than any abortion clinic. Also, if stem cells are human life, they haven't been born yet and therefore have not committed any conscience sins.. so does that mean these cells go to heaven? No. And if that is so, then the same would be for about every child up to the age of 2.5-3, since humans don't have a concept of right and wrong until they are about 3 or so, and even then, they aren't capable of understanding the indirect consequences of their actions, unlike the rest of us.

Funding for this would provide more stem cells for research purposes, in order to cure diseases. A clump of organic matter is not human life. This would help existing human life, and is just otherwise going to be thrown out anyhow. You want to prevent diseases from having a better chance at being cured? You want to prevent people from prospering and living healthy happy lives?

Blocking it is an illogical and immoral act.

He needs to resign as head of the DNC now. He is not against tax money going to kill people in a war I guess because the Navy has lots of bases in VA. Religion does not belong in any of our politics. I can only hope for the great people of VA that the next Gov. will undo this like president Obama has with Bush. No matter how hard they try you will never legislate morality. Also, where was he when all the pedophile priest were out and about. Give me a break.

Time someone slapped this man upside the head with a reminder that separation of church and state is guaranteed by the Constitution. Tired of this argument. Its time for Congress to make laws to stop this type of thing from happening.

The world is flat, man kind is 4,000 years old, and science be only permitted if it follows the dogma of the church.

Thereby proving that not all superstitious bible-thumpers are Republicans–I hadn't known that.

Funny. No comments yet eh? Cat got the tongue you dim witted dems? Now what? Do the right thing and boot this gov out. We don't need no politicians who are opposed to common sense! Stem cell research is a no-brainer.

I hope for his sake that no one in his family ever needs
the kind of medical treatment that could result from successful stem cell research.
Maybe we need to ask patients if they oppose stem cell research before offering them any treatment that might have arisen from such research.

nice going Gov Kaine

Bravo! for Governor Kaine. A man standing on his own principles.

Of course we can now sit back and watch the Liberal Diversity Mob rail against him because he has a different view then they'll call him ignorant because he is abiding by his faith.

He has a divergent view, and the ones preaching that we should celebrate and respect diversity will be the ones going against the tenets of their religion.

2 faced.
Should resign

Another village idiot. Democratic party get rid of this nut Jim Hall Kanas City Missouri.

I applaud Kaine for supporting his beliefs and dare I say leaving team play behind. I encourage everyone to read this bill and its entirety before shooting the man down. The bill allows funding for non-embryonic types of research. This is in no way will prohibit the advancement of stem cell research. I believe this is the kind of change, some of us were hoping for. Well done.

"research that could save lives" but at what cost?

No future for Kaine. I voted for him, and now I'm kicking myself. DINO

I'm pro choice since it's a womans body and she can deal with god later, for now abortion means less Democrats in the future and that's better for America, that's a fact. I just want to know how anyone sides with a party that freaks out and protests against the free speech of others just saying "choose life". You learn a lot about what type of people libs are with this one.

GOOD WORK DEMOCRATS!! Fight Obama at every turn.

The democrats only support REPUBLICAN presidents who lead us into mulitple wars, record deficits, and deep recessions. They will roll over and do anything for a republican president without so much as a peep.

The DEMOCRATIC congress is full of FOOLS!!

At last, a true democrat who stands on his beliefs in spite of pressure from liberals and obamby.

If I want the Pope's opinion on life, I will get that from church on Sunday. The Pope is also wrong about condoms and Holocaust deniers, BTW.

But I do not vote for political leaders setting and upholding laws of our land of many different religions based on their faith and religious beliefs.

If a politician cannot separate his or her politics from their religion, then they should not be in politics. Find another line of work.

It's bad enough that we abort babies, it's a tragedy when we use them for medical research. Embryonic stem cell research has yielded NO cures for anything and as a junk science should not recieve government funding. In reality, the push for embryonic stem cell research is a cover for pro-abortion groups to maintain their power and expand it as much as possible.

Now that's a refreshing surprise! A Catholic Democrat who actually practices the teachings of the Church. Beware, Governor Kaine - the loony leftists of your own party are about to descend upon you. 3.... 2.....1.....

Kaine: Kindly keep your silly religion out of my politics. People like you seriously need removed from political power. Fool!

Its just a great thing to see someone break from the herd on something he feels strongly about.

Unless people are just hot to kill and embryo, this issue is (thankfully), about to become moot. It appears that there is a procedure allowing removal of embryonic cells without having to sacrifice the embryo. If that is the case, even Obama and maybe even NARAL (although abortion may be a sacrament to them) should agree to halt killing of human embryos.

Hey......Kaine is what he is: A 'Conservative' Democrate.

This should've been apparent to anyone who actually knew his positions......and it's an ideology probably what caused (as much as anything else) him to be elected into the governors seat to begin with, since he's from a state that more conservative than liberal.....

To AP in Illinois
Politics is all about perception. The current perceptions by a majority of Americans of the Democratic Party:

1) Only ideas to solve the problems is spend money we do not have
2) Sore losers. Still can't get over losing the 2000 election.
3) Disingenuous. Making up issues that don't really contribute to solving issues such as AIG bonuses
4) Uncompromising and inflexible. My way or the highway attitude with the stimulus bill
5) Behind the times. Still promoting spending as the cure all
6) Hypocritical. Criticizes everyone who does not have their beliefs and then calls everyone else out for criticizing like them
7) Shrill. Dems do not seem interested in discussion if it means listening to the facts (CBO projections)
Dishonest. All of the above tactics add up to not wanting to be an honest good faith player to govern as the majority party.
9) Blaming others. The Dems need to take responsibility for their actions and words. Stop using Bush as a crutch when the housing bubble started before he took office. Look at what the Dems said when Bush tried to fix Fannie and Freddie in his first term.

These are all perceptions that need to be addressed. And the Carville/Begalla's of the party are not doing anything to try to changes that perception.

For 6 of the 8 years under Bush, we had record profits in all of our 401K accounts. No one was complaining then. The stock market goes up and down. The economy has bubbles. Government interference in the economy is what causes the bubbles. ie…Lowering rates too low for too long to move past the tech bubble. Our economy is built on private enterprise. It is the same private enterprise that will get us through down times, not government.

Mr Kaine, You need to step down from your DNC Chair position and start dealing with the problems in VA. The VA Employment Commission is understaffed. The unemployed in VA cannot get through to VEC workers to get the most simple questions answered. I've been trying to get an answer on paperwork for weeks now and no one will return my calls or e-mail. I'm not the only one going through this. Get to work on the problems at hand. People are suffering in VA

We will bet that Gov. Kaine will be a main pain and he has slain the state fund availability and rained his rein of power to stain the Dems just a tad. That causes a lot of disdain for some Dems resultin' in a drain of their energy.

Wow, turns out that the RNC chair is pro-choice and the DNC chair is anti-choice. Who'da thunk it.

President Obama need to replace Kaine why would someone block research for cure..

I never did trust Kaine

WOW! What a refreshing and uplifting piece of news to read today. Kudos to Gov. Kaine for standing up for his beliefs and supporting legislation that will prevent, in Virginia at least, the needless slaughter of thousands of babies when there are other avenues of stem cell lines to explore. This gives me pause to think there may be hope for something as precious as the unborn!

I, for one, am happy to see this controversy aired. I would much rather have a party of people who stand by their beliefs – even if they differ from the party platform – than an enforced orthodoxy.

If we are really going to have a new kind of politics in Washington, we can't be afraid of Democrats opposing stem cell research and abortion, Republicans supporting gay rights, or any of the other combinations that would have at one time been considered oxymorons.

Wow a Democrat that doesn't just use their religion as a prop during campaigns and speeches only to shed their principles when it comes to enacting policy. Pelosi, Kennedy, Biden, Sebelius, Obama, et al should take notice. I may disagree with most of his policies, but I respect him for actually living his faith instead of letting himself be directed by party ideaology.

That being said, Democrats nationwide will ask for his head on a platter, only to be regrown later with breakthroughs only possible via embryonic stem cell research... which would also be the first cure produced by such research. Unless producing tumors is considered a cure.

And this is why the democratic party can become the only party necessary. We atleast have healthy differing opinions with in this party. People who can disagree on specifics, but overall agree on progress.

Unlike republicans, differences in this party can be worked out for the best of ALL of america. Democrats do not take it's own party and scorch them in front of the whole world, like the GOP habitually does. If you don't agree with them, they burn you at the cross.

“Asked for comment about Kaine's departure from the national party line, the DNC referred questions to the governor's office in Richmond”

This proves that there’s room in the Democratic Party for moderates which is why they have been winning elections lately. The Democrats learned that if they let the far left continue to run the party like they have in the past they will lose elections. Unfortunately there’s not room in the current Republican Party moderates which is why they are losing; if they allowed Steele to run the RNC instead of Rush & the far right, they might start back winning elections outside of the Southern States & low population rural areas.

What a tool... Kaine is the epitome of lame, wishy-washy Democrat. We need true liberal leaders for the Democratic party, not these moderate, stance-changing cavers like Kaine.

As a person of faith, I have great difficulty with the strident piety of many religious people in govenment that cannot separate church and state, and their own beliefs from their duties in the public square. Kaine is wrong. He is blocking what amounts to a civil order from the President. If he cannot support the President and the overwhelming will of the people in this country (more than 80%), he should step down from heading the DNC. Most americans are sick of the influence of judgemental doctrine on the whole population. If Kaine is more beholden to the pope than to his civil responsiblities, he needs to resign.

What? A Democrat with convictions, and courageous enough to stand by them? Why do I feel like this is an episode of the Twilight Zone?

Excellent example of seperating Church and State!

Bravo!

I don't like the fact that the governor is letting his beliefs cloud his judgement. We are the home of the military and our veterans can definitely benefit from this research. I want to know where Mr. Moran stands on the issue because that's who I intend on voting for.

Kaine you are an idiot. President Obama just signed an order why can't you accept the fact and move on. Not everyone should have to live by your religious views. I have my religious views as well, but they are mine and I don't go around forcing them on anyone else.

Lynda Tran, the governor's communications director, said that Kaine's decision is "in keeping with his faith and his personal beliefs."

So, that whole "Separation of Church and State" really doesn't mean shit.

Maybe, hopefully one day, politicians will realize that what they believe is not conclusive of every American and set aside their "Beliefs" and make decisions for the good of the country and not for their own good.

Once again religion gets in the way of progress.

I am glad that the Democratic party allows its members to think for themselves - unlike the republicans who intimidate anyone who does not stick to their party line exactly. Democrats are for using one's brain to think through the issues and making your own decision, republicans are for being a mindless follower.

I feel like that Obama can and will get the nation back on track, Obama has already set laws and pass laws that has been successful. We as a nation need to help and support his team. Yet and still or some of his people agianst every plan that he want to pass. But Obama is a smart man his will get the economy back on track.

Finally someone with a backbone, very rare in the democratic party.

God, if I didn't know better I would swear he was a rethuglican. Very disappointed in you Kaine, I thought you cared.