Kaine Says Top Priority This Year Is Va. Budget

Republicans Question Governor's Ability to Manage State's Finances and Chair DNC at Same Time

RICHMOND, Jan. 4 -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Monday that his main focus this year will be working with Republicans in the General Assembly on the state's budget crisis, even as he pivots into his new additional role as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Kaine, who only a month ago said he was not interested in the job, said he changed his mind in recent weeks after a meeting with President-elect Barack Obama. Kaine described his new role as the chief cheerleader for the Democratic Party at an "all-hands-on-deck moment" to help Obama navigate an economic recovery and do "politics in a slightly different way."

"He is a very persuasive guy," Kaine said of Obama. "I am very humbled he would reach out to me."

But Kaine stressed that his main priority will be closing Virginia's $3 billion budget shortfall, which means he will rely on Democratic staffers and "computers and phones" to monitor party business from Richmond.

"I do know what comes first," Kaine said at a brief news conference.

But despite Kaine's assurances that he will remain a full-time governor, some legislators and political experts say Kaine's decision to take on both jobs simultaneously could cripple his efforts to get his budget and policy initiatives through the General Assembly. In addition, taking on such a partisan role will put enormous pressure on Kaine to help elect a Democratic successor, they said.

With Kaine about to become the national spokesman for his party, GOP legislators say the partisan tension at the Capitol will only worsen.

"You wouldn't take that job unless your main focus was trying to build the Democratic Party," said Del. Clarke N. Hogan (R-Charlotte), a close ally of House Speaker William J. Howell's (R-Stafford). "If that is your goal, fine. But that is not really consistent with saying, 'I want to work in a bipartisan way for what is best for Virginia.' "

House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) said it will be difficult for GOP legislators to trust Kaine, setting the stage for a potentially grueling legislative session that could result in gridlock.

"We know that he will make the elimination of Republicans in Virginia his number one target as national chairman," Griffith said. "People are going to be uncomfortable, and that will have an impact."

Democratic legislative leaders strongly defended Kaine on Monday, saying they have confidence he will not be distracted by national party politics.

House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) said Virginia stands to benefit by having a governor who has "the president's ear." Armstrong accused Republicans of being jealous of Kaine.