VA Gets Top Rating for Pro-Business Environment

Posted on 06/24/2009

WHSV Channel 3:

During Kaine’s administration, Virginia has been recognized as the most business-friendly state in America (Forbes.com 2006-2008), one of the best states for business (CNBC 2007 and 2008), the top-performing state government in America (Governing Magazine 2008) and the state where “a child is most likely to have a successful life (Education Week 2007).”

AP: Deeds wins Democratic primary for Va. governor

Posted on 06/24/2009

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds dominated Virginia’s three-way Democratic primary for governor Tuesday, defeating a much better financed Clinton White House insider and a former legislative colleague.

The Virginian-Pilot: Beach' Wagner wins Democratic nod for lieutenant governor

Posted on 06/24/2009

VIRGINIA BEACH – Local attorney and businesswoman Jody Wagner coasted to an easy win in Tuesday’s primary to become the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.

Daily Press: Democrats renew focus on unity

Posted on 06/24/2009

WILLIAMSBURG — Heavy rain drops started falling just as Sen. Creigh Deeds took the stage Saturday at a Democratic unity rally and barbecue in Williamsburg designed to be a show of partisan force following a long primary season.

2009 Spring Celebration

Posted on 05/15/2009

Tim Kaine and Moving Virginia Forward are proud to have special guest:

Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band

at the 2009 Spring Celebration at Maymont Park!

Come out to see a great show and see Tim Kaine and Boyd Tinsley (Dave Matthews Band) perform together live!

RSVP now!

Kaine takes up for Virginia’s jobless

Posted on 04/13/2009

By Jim Nolan, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Less than a week after House Republicans thwarted his attempt to extend unemployment insurance to more Virginians, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is taking his fight for additional stimulus funds directly to the people.

Wrong to Refuse Part of Stimulus (Bristol Herald Courier Editorial)

Posted on 04/13/2009

The governor was incredulous that lawmakers did not take the federal money to help unemployed Virginians, which now top 300,000. “I just can’t imagine why we would leave $125 million … on the table,” Kaine told legislative leaders in a conference room adjacent to his office at the Capitol at the end of the one-day session. “This is about looking into the eyes of Virginians who have lost their jobs.” Kaine suggested that lawmakers who voted against the measure had forgotten the people they represent. We wonder the same.

GOP turns deaf ear to jobless Virginians (Virginian Pilot Editorial)

Posted on 04/13/2009

With nearly 300,000 Virginians out of work, every elected leader should be working tirelessly and together to help constituents endure the worst recession since the 1930s. Instead, on Wednesday, Virginia’s Republican legislators wasted hours at the Capitol in obstructionism and showmanship. ...All Virginia had to do was make modest expansions in its benefits, now some of the most miserly in America. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine proposed two changes: Workers laid off from declining industries such as textile manufacturing would collect benefits longer while they received training. More idled part-time workers would be eligible for aid. Those changes would cost less than $20 million.

Kaine vows to aid area (Martinsville Bulletin)

Posted on 04/10/2009

Kaine “cares deeply for this area,” said Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Collinsville and House minority leader. He said that through working closely with Kaine, he knows the governor is committed to helping Henry County and Martinsville overcome economic problems.

Virginia also is facing “a challenging time” due to the economy, Kaine said. The state expects revenues to drop about 7 percent this year because “our citizens and businesses are making less (money), so they are tightening their belts,” he said.

Leaders poised to sign Dulles Rail funding for construction to begin

Posted on 03/10/2009

The signatures by Kaine, Metro officials and U.S. Department of Transportation officials will allow construction to move forward later this month on the rail’s initial 11.6-mile, $2.6 billion leg. Early utility work has been under way for months.

Kaine outlines use of stimulus

Posted on 03/07/2009

The federal funds will be used to reduce cuts to education, transportation and other services.

Gov. Tim Kaine on Friday highlighted how more than $2 billion in federal stimulus funding will flow to public schools, local law enforcement agencies, highway construction and transit programs. He also announced the creation of an administration working group that will evaluate proposals for spending the state’s federal recovery dollars and said Virginians will be able to monitor the spending on a state Web site, Stimulus.Virginia.Gov.

Washington Post: Kaine Creates A New Dominion For His Party

Posted on 11/14/2008

When Kaine took office, both houses of the legislature were dominated by the GOP. Virginia’s two U.S. senators were Republican, as were eight of its 11 members of Congress. And most disillusioning to Kaine was the fact that the state reliably voted GOP in presidential elections.

Tuesday’s election marked almost a complete reversal. Obama, a friend of Kaine’s, became the first Democrat since 1964 to win Virginia in the presidential race. Kaine’s predecessor as governor, Mark R. Warner, will become the state’s second Democratic senator. Depending on the final outcome of a race in central Virginia that is separated by 31 votes, the commonwealth’s congressional delegation could be dominated by six Democrats in districts that were drawn by Republicans. And the state Senate is now controlled by the governor’s party.

Governor Kaine's Radio Ad for Sen. Obama

Posted on 10/27/2008

The ad is running on the radio, but the Obama campaign created a web video to go along with it:

Stand with my friend Glenn Nye

Posted on 09/24/2008

I want to let you know about an important opportunity to bring Virginia-style leadership that will change Washington.

Glenn Nye is the Democratic Nominee for Congress in the Second District of Virginia, and bringing him to Washington will make a huge difference in creating the change our nation needs.

I’ve been proud to support and campaign with Glenn, and I’m asking you to join me today.

Glenn is a unique candidate who truly fits his district. He is a fifth-generation Second District resident and former Foreign Service officer who volunteered to serve in conflict zones in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq. Glenn received the State Department’s Superior Honor Award for leading a rescue of 26 American citizens and negotiating the release of an American hostage. In Iraq, Glenn Nye led operations to create jobs for Iraqis as part of the counter-insurgency effort.

Great News for Election 2008

Posted on 09/22/2008

The latest Washington Post/ABC poll shows that Barack Obama has a terrific opportunity to become the first Democrat to win Virginia in a presidential election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964:

The survey reinforces Virginia's status as a crucial swing state that could tip the fall election. And the tight race -- likely voters are divided 49 percent for Obama, 46 percent for McCain -- foretells a fierce battle across Virginia over the next six weeks.

Get your "Eyebrow Smiley" stuff today!

Posted on 09/06/2008

These were a huge hit at the convention in Denver, and we wanted to make them available to everyone. But they’re also a symbol of your support for the Virginia Democratic Party’s mission this year: Winning in Virginia for Mark Warner, Barack Obama, and our congressional candidates.

Don’t forget – to get the smiley face, you’ve got to make a contribution to Virginia Victory 2008 here: https://secure.vademocrats.org/page/contribute/store

Va. Political Roadshow Plays Well In Denver

Posted on 09/05/2008

This is a nice summary of Governor Kaine's time at the Democratic National Convention in Denver from Tim Craig at the Washington Post:

In between official convention business, the Kaines went biking and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. One day, they took in a baseball game at Coors Field.

When he wasn't with the family, Kaine spent hours wooing and rallying members of the Virginia delegation. At a convention, some governors and party leaders can be hard to find because they are sitting in skyboxes, watching proceedings with donors and other party dignitaries. But Kaine could usually be found on the convention floor, sitting in the same cramped seats as the delegates.

Kaine also delivered a series of fiery speeches at various events that left little doubt he was energized for the fall campaign in support of Obama. [...]

Kaine also became one of Obama's chief national surrogates. The governor did more than a dozen media interviews, appearing on CNN, MSNBC, "The Daily Show" and Bill Maher's program on HBO. Kaine's political staff even developed one of the most sought-after buttons in Denver. It featured an orange smiley face with a raised eyebrow, designed to make light of the governor's very active left eyebrow.

Get your "Kaine Eyebrow" button here.

Read the full article after the jump.

Tim Kaine on the Daily Show

Posted on 08/26/2008

Fired up for change!

Posted on 07/10/2008

Keep in touch with Moving Virginia Forward and help us keep winning:

The War on Sprawl

Posted on 06/23/2008

James Bacon's piece on the Governor's smart growth initiatives includes this:

Gov. Kaine has done more to inject "smart growth" thinking into the administration of state government than any governor in Virginia history. The conservation/ environmental community lauded the move as a limited step in the right direction. "The governor is on the right track with his new sub-cabinet on community investment tasked with promoting smart, sustainable growth by ensuring that state funds are invested in projects that reduce suburban sprawl," said Lisa Guthrie, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters in an open letter last week.

Full article after the jump.