Handle Immigration Bills With Care, Kaine Urges

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says that many "mean-spirited" bills won't pass and that he won't sign any "goofy" ones. (Stephanie Gross - Stephanie Gross)

Kaine and Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said many of the candidates who campaigned the loudest last fall for sanctions against illegal immigrants did not win.

"One thing I think we learned in the legislative election is that it is not a concern that one party is easily able to exploit,'' Kaine said.

He said the state's business community is worried about the effects of the immigration debate. Kaine said he told a Democratic legislative candidate to tone down a campaign speech on immigration so he would not scare off a company that was considering locating in his district.

If businesses "feel like they are not welcome here, they aren't coming here,'' he said.

Kaine said he is still trying to secure federal funding for the Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport and has not considered seeking money from another source.

Kaine, who is one of Obama's national co-chairmen, said he thinks that voters will support the senator because of his character and intellect. "He has character that has been forged by adversity," Kaine said.

The governor also said the overhaul of the state's mental health system after the Virginia Tech massacre may be one of his most significant victories this year.

"I feel really good about it. I think that it will not only be a win for mental health, but it will be a win of bipartisanship," he said.