Reply #19: He's been an elected official for 13 yrs.

[DFLforever]

nine of which are exec experience.

Lest we forget, states, cities and counties are the locus of most of our governing. And that's where Kaine's experience is helpful to Obama - as a mayor, lt. governor, and governor.

Gov Kaine was given a lot of praise for the way he handled the VA Tech shooting.

Unlike Bayh, and Biden, he isn't tainted by the greatest foreign policy blunder in American history. I'd hate to see Obama lose his advantage on Iraq, his argument that judgment trumps experience, because of the VP on his ticket

I've watched Kaine on Charlie Rose, Face the Nation, campaign videos for Obama, and Kaine appears to be whip-smart, very focused, and in tune with Obama's goals and vision for the country. He comes across as genuine, decent, and has none of the slickness and vacuity of a Bayh. Imo, he will make Obama appear more down to earth and 'normal', less 'exotic' and glamorous, which should help after all the 'celeb' ads. He is reputed to be a very good campaigner. He, and not Warner or Webb, 'delivered' Va to Obama in the primary.

I think Kaine would be a solid choice for Obama. Sure, Mark Warner might be ideal but it appears O isn't able to get him. FDR, another first-term governor, was considered an average, mediocre, governor because he had the misfortune of following an exceptional one, Al Smith.