Obama Welcomes Kaine To DNC, Praises Dean's Legacy

Barack Obama heaped praise on incoming DNC Chairman Tim Kaine during a press conference with the Virginia Governor at the party's headquarters on Thursday. Arguing that Kaine was the right type of inclusive figure to help lead the party going forward, the president-elect promised to "build a movement for change that can go beyond a single election."

But as Obama and Kaine beamed about the party's future, noticeably absent was the man who defined the recent past. Howard Dean was traveling as his successor was introduced. But the Vermont Governor was not left out entirely from the proceedings.

Said Obama: "For nearly four years Howard has served our party and our nation as a visionary and effective leader. He launched a 50 state strategy that made Democrats competitive in places they hadn't been for years... Howard deserve enormous credit for helping usher in a new era in Washington."

Kaine echoed many of the compliments and promised to build off the legacy and ethos that Dean brought to the party.

With no questions afforded to the press, the event was far more pomp and circumstance than hard news. Kaine promised a three-prong approach during his tenure: "Promote this president's agenda, carry the proud banner of a proud party, and work to engage citizens in new ways..."

Obama, meanwhile, painted the incoming and outgoing DNC Chairs as cut from the same -- and his own -- political cloth.

"Tim [Kaine] knows that breaking free of the old orthodoxies and reaching across party line isn't just a way to build the Democratic Party but a way to achieve progress for all Americans," he said.

If there was one potential slip-up, or at the very least a hook for GOP critique, it came early in the event, when Obama discussed the need for the party to shed its "ingrained habits, like taking money from federal lobbyists and special interests and relying instead on donations from ordinary Americans."

The knock on Kaine, at least from the Republican perspective, is that he is tied too closely to corporate interests to fit with Obama's message. Earlier this week, the RNC blasted out a story from Bloomberg News noting that Kaine serves as "chairman of the Southern Governors' Association, a group that raises money from tobacco, oil, energy and pharmaceutical companies in exchange for access to governors and other state officials."

Comments

[GraceW]

Totally agree with those for whom Tim Kaine heading the DNC is an appalling disappointment. Though I supported Obama long before Iowa and did vote against McCain/for Biden last fall, Obama lost me last summer when it was reported that Kaine was being seriously considered for VP. Though Kaine didn’t get this important, tone-setting position a heartbeat away from the presidency, this served as a wake up call for me regarding Obama.

Obama having even more strongly anti-choice rights Bob Casey speak on Hillary’s night and the octogenarian anniversary of women securing the right to vote in a convention where I noticed all but the brave Al Gore skirting the issue of abortion choice rights, sealed the deal of me being disillusioned by Obama ((even though Biden selected for VP temporarily helped)).

More of Obama’s choices throughout the fall campaign and since he won the presidency (Warren speak at the inauguration for example) cause me to watch and see about him. Though I remain idealistic about progressive hope and others who share it., I’m skeptical Obama is going to bring it about..

I doubt I’ll be on board with a democratic party in which Kaine and what he stands take the lead. Goes against core beliefs.

Frankly, I don’t think Obama knows what he’s doing appeasing evangelical fundamentalists in an attempt to be bipartisan. Feels like a slippery slope. Instead, I advocate the expansion of democracy/ civil rights and the separation of church and state.

[zachman]

Grace, I couldn't agree with you more. Separation of church and state is incredibly important.

[zachman]

Great. Just what we need. A man whose beliefs are basically Republican-Lite at best. I'm starting to get real tired of this party. I've tried to be supportive, but there have just been too many Democrats lately who have no problem with saying how gays shouldn't be able to marry each other. I'm tired of being thought of as a friend when I give money, but as a second class citizen when I want equal rights. The Green Party is looking better all the time.

[yesivoteddem]

Dean as gov passed health care reform and made it center to his Presidential run.

He "interviewed " for HHS Sec and Obama instead gave it to a ex Senator insider corporate lawyer / lobbyist with a influence peddling millionaire corporate lobbyist wife....

and offered to Dean some words at a function he wasnt even invited to.
Is that "change you can believe in"

[DuPageDem]

'Obama, meanwhile, painted the incoming and outgoing DNC Chairs as cut from the same -- and his own -- political cloth. "Tim [Kaine] knows that breaking free of the old orthodoxies and reaching across party line isn't just a way to build the Democratic Party but a way to achieve progress for all Americans," he said.'

Uh, sorry, Dean didn't succeed by making nice with the people who have run this country into the ground. That's why he had to be thrown overboard. He's not a corporate puppet, therefore he can't be allowed anywhere near power.

[mom2sons]

I think Dean did a wonderful job and he is going to do what all politicians do. Like O said, some get in it for public service reasons and some for business reasons. I think he is going to do both. His credibility has skyrocketed and he will be taking his strategic vision worldwide. Imagine what grassroot efforts worldwide could do for this world. Along with being wanted for lectures and such, he can still influence policy and travel and GET PAID! Thanks Dr. Dean. I'm sure this will not be the last we hear from Dr. Dean.

[marinade]

It's will be exciting to find out what Dean is going to do. I am ready to support him with money and action.

[ema]

Maybe the real reason Dr. Dean didn't show is because he was too disgusted by the choice of his successor.

Tim Kaine is "Pro-life", pro-abstinence education, anti-gay marriage and even anti-civil unions. He is against stem cell research, anti-union, and favors expanding the faith based initiative program. He is against gun control and he heads a group that raises money from tobacco, oil, energy and pharmaceutical companies in exchange for access to governors and other state officials.

Obama is trying to appeal to conservatives. He will lose his base.

[teron678]

prove this "pro-abstinence education, anti-civil unions, anti-union­"!!!!!!!!!

[marinade]

No, you prove otherwise.

[ema]

(Richmond) — Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine made the following statement today regarding the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling about same s ex marriages:
"Marriage between a man and a woman is the building block of the family and a keystone of our civil society. It has been so for centuries in societies around the world. I cannot agree with a court decision suddenly declaring that marriage must now be redefined to include unions between people of the same gender.

"I do not support any change in the institution of marriage. I do not support the creation of civil unions, but I do believe that gays and lesbians should be able to contract with one another, and we should respect those contracts in Virginia law, just as we respect any contracts.

"And finally in the area of adoption. Virginia has adoption laws right now that I agree with. The adoption laws say the only couple that is allowed to adopt is a married couple."
Tim Kaine

[ema]

"I have a faith-based opposition to abortion."

"I will reduce abortion in Virginia by enforcing current Virginia restrictions, passing an enforceable ban on partial-birth abortion, ensuring women’s access to health care (including legal contraception), and promoting abstinence-focused education and adoption. We should reduce abortion in this manner, rather than by criminalizing women and doctors."

[rkimball]

get rid of dean & pelosi & the dnc will once again have credibility.

[nomobull]

dean? i thought he had already moved on

[rkimball]

he's still kicking for a admin position.

[Dwjackson]

Tim will be a big part of the new generation of Obama Dems. Get on board folks (Nancy, Harry, Diane, John (Kerry), et al)....or risk being left behind.

[marinade]

Right. Which Obama Dems are you talking about? Not voters, that's for sure.

The people aren't going to fall for Axelrod's feel-good astroturf BS forever.

Dean brought honesty and integrity to the DNC. So far, we're only hearing about these things from this new group. Talk is cheap.

[Dwjackson]

Hey, don't get me wrong....I­'m one of Howard's biggest fans. But, in the great interest of helping us to put the pain of the last eight years behind us, patience, please, with the Obama Team

[Plowboy]

Frankly the Obama team is working very hard now to force me to vote differently next time.
I am not going to vote for someone who insists on giving me the things I voted against.

[alexis d]

I'm afraid I have to agree. I was a big fan of the campaign, and of a lot of his handling of the transition, but the beginnings of the governing positions I've seen so far have not impressed me.

[judyc]

Really? Can I hear some ideas on what you would have him do differently?

[silverball]

...try and be positive..­..the GOOD NEWS is that the inaguration is not going to be for john mccain and, YIKES, sarah palin.....­..think about what their choices for their administration would be!!!!!!!! the proof will be in the pudding after noon on 20 jan.......­let's give him, and them, a chance....

[montecarlo408]

You are not going to get everything you want. I guess you and a lot of other people don't realize that when re-election comes around, perhaps Obama is thinking that turnout won't be as great among the base (as is in most re-elections) and he might need more votes from independents and the center. He's not doing everything I wanted, but I knew that he couldn't anyway. He's his own man, not a clone for the left, like Bush was for the right.

[DuPageDem]

Everything? How about anything?

[PalmG]

I feel the same way.

[Vinca]

I THINK KAINE WAS A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE , DNC, I'D HAVE LIKED TO SEEN HOWARD DEAN, GET A POSITION IN OBAMA'S ADMIN

[Plowboy]

I agree entirely.

[Plowboy]

Frankly, Dean is being snubbed. His enemy is Obama's chief of staff.
But who wants someone stupid enough to say that the key to peace is Justice?

[PalmG]

Exactly. I take no solace in Obama's decisions thus far because they almost ensure that there will no justice, which, whether Americans realize it or not, means there may be no progress. This country is stained with Bush' s dirt, and Obama thus far has done nothing to clean it up. Appointing the same people who enabled Bush is just not okay.

[nomobull]

what are you talking about

[judyc]

Jes us H Christ! The man isn't even pres yet--what the he ll do you want him to do?

[who38]

Chairman of the Southern Governors Union.....­..says it all, doesn't it? Bet that dude doesn't have a Union label.

[timewaster2dcore]

I can't believe all the bullsh*t I'm reading here. What if Howard Dean had declined to take up any cabinet position and instead opted to just be "a party elder"?? Politico and the rest of the media are just creating news out of this; they've got to eat. I am not being ungrateful here to Dean's impact on the last election, but what many people don't realize is that just putting him in the Cabinet is not his ultimate reward, but the praise and the respect he would command in the Democratic Party. People need to remember that Politico is somehow a right-wing media outlet. They are dying to keep the Dems apart, and if Dems still haven't learned after all these years, they deserve the eventuality.

[McFlipFlop]

I agree. Until Dean speaks up for himself, no one will know what his desires and intentions are.

Kaine is very impressive, and is Obama's pick for the spot.

I love Dean, and look forward to seeing where he will next put his energies.

[yesivoteddem]

Are you pretending that Dean didnt want HHS and would have said no if offered the position?

Puleeze... again look at Deans quote: Asked by CNN"s John King whether his becoming Sec of HHS is possible, the former governor of Vermont, who"s a physician, demurred, saying that choice:

" was UP TO PRESIDENT ELECT Barack OBAMA."

Well, yes it is...and it seems hes chosen corporate lawyer - lobbyist Daschle instead of Dean....an­d thats plain awful. Get it?

[PalmG]

You need to read more. Howard Dean has publicly stated for a long while now that he wanted a job in the administration. He did not turn down anything. He was not offered anything. Obama dissed him this year just like the Clintons dissed him in 04. If Dean's smart, he'll move to create another party. I'll be the first to sign up. I have no more confidence in the Democratic Party.

[nomobull]

prove it where is this recorded or written down that he wanted a position

[SethBLiNK]

Dean is the odd man out right now and for the moment at least, that's how it's going to be. He is responsible in large part for dragging the Democratic Party into the 21st Century, but there is clearly some kind of personality clash going on.

But give the man his due. Much of the successes of November would not have happened without Dean's visionary leadership.

[Dwjackson]

Believe me....Howa­rd Dean will be ok and will, eventually, emerge from the "ashes" to take his well-deserved place as the chief statesman of the Dem party. He will be the guy everyone will turn to when wisdom and consultation is needed to prevail and will likely surpass even Al Gore as the most credible voice of the Dem party.