For years Virginia politicians have battled over how to address the transportation needs of the Commonwealth's sprawling northern and eastern regions while keeping its existing roads from crumbling. In fact, Governor Tim Kaine, who is also chairman of the Democratic National Committee, spent the first half of his term trying to convince state legislators to increase funding for roads. Reforms were made, but Kaine came up mostly empty when it came to new funding.
That's why Virginia's newest ranking as slowest to put federal highway stimulus cash to use is so ironic. Representative James Oberstar, chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, wrote Kaine a letter last week pointing out Virginia's dubious distinction.
Kaine responded by saying falling state revenues in recent years left the state without a list of projects waiting to be completed. However, he says Virginia is making progress putting stimulus dollars to work and has already approved projects worth $389 million.
Virginia's ranking has only fueled criticism by Republicans who say Kaine spends too much time outside the state fulfilling his role as DNC chairman leaving the needs of the Commonwealth unattended.
Transportation funding is also a big issue in the current Virginia governor's race. The Democratic candidate hoping to replace Kaine in the governor's mansion, Creigh Deeds, appaers to be in trouble and historical winds aren't on his side. The Commonwealth has elected governors that represent the party opposite of that represented in the White House since the 1970's. A Deeds loss would further embarrass Kaine. However, he wouldn't be the first national party chairman from the Old Dominion to get stung in his own state come election day. In 2002, then Governor Jim Gilmore was chairman of the Republican National Committee when he was replaced as Virginia's top executive by Democrat Mark Warner (now a U.S. Senator).
One think Kaine may not be able to spend a lot of time practicing, but loves to play is his harmonica. Beltway Buzz recently caught him jamming in the back of a pickup truck with a bluegrass band while rolling down a parade route in the small town of Buena Vista. It's a good example of the folksy charm that sustains his political career, despite his troubles when it comes to moving Virginia's all important transportation system forward.