Is a Virginia Democrat trying to lose?

[DonViejo]

Barack Obama’s 2008 win in Virginia came as a surprise to many observers, but his continued durability is not hard to explain. After four years, he still wins the overwhelming majority of African Americans, a large majority of Latinos, and a solid plurality of white voters.

But Obama’s advantage has not carried over to Virginia Democrats. Despite his long tenure in Virginia politics—mayor of Richmond, lieutenant governor, and governor—Tim Kaine is performing at the level of a generic Democrat in the state. For most of the year he has been neck-and-neck with George Allen, the former governor turned former senator (Virginians tend to recycle their politicians) who lost his 2006 re-election race when he used an obscure racial slur to disparage a Democratic operative. That Kaine has been tied with an avowed neo-Confederate is, I’m sure, distressing for his campaign.

Indeed, it explains his decision to buck Democratic Party messaging and give a lifeline to Mitt Romney, who has been under fire for his dismissive remarks toward the 47 percent of Americans who don’t pay federal income taxes. In yesterday’s Senate debate with Allen, Kaine floated a minimum income tax for all Americans, meant specifically for the 47 percent:

Read More:
http://www.salon.com/2012/09/22/is_virginia_dem_trying_to_lose/

[shraby]

1. Maybe Kaine should be touting his liberal side..instead of staying a dino

[S_E_Fudd]

2. This is being WAY overblown...

First of all Kaines comments were made in an overall context that is not being reported. Second, he did not float the idea of a minimum tax...the topic came up and he said it could be studied...he didnt endorse the proposal or advocate it. In the debate he hammered Allen on the 47% and had him on the defensive the whole time...

This is getting no play here at all...and if you know anything about what kinds of dems win here, it is those that at least pretend to want to work in a bipartisan manner...and that is what Kaine was doing. I think this is a non story...but if anything it will help him slightly downstate..

[davidpdx]

6. Agreed, way overblown

I saw a clip of the debate and he said he was open to looking at it.

No matter what there is going to have to be tax reform happen in their country in order to make sure we aren't running deficits and can pay down the debt.

Now what that minimum tax would look like, who knows. It's all a hypothetical.

[mvd]

7. A minimum tax is something that should NEVER be done

Especially in a recession and while the rich often pay less than the middle class. I realize that Kaine is a more conservative Democrat, but any fodder when not necessary should not be given IMO.

[davidpdx]

8. Well again, remember he wasn't the one that brought it up.

It was the moderator that asked him. He made no promises that he'd support it, only that he'd be open it looking at it. If elected I definitely think he will be a bluedog D.

[mvd]

9. I would have avoided it

Or stuck with Obama's stance. I don't think it will help him win votes much. Red parts of VA will stay red. Hopefully Kaine would not be quite another like Nelson of NE or Landrieu.

[davidpdx]

10. That would have been the better choice

But then again you are up on stage and may have to make a split second decision on how to answer a question. It could have caught him off guard.

[mvd]

12. True, but debates require quick thinking

Doesn't sound like we are that far apart here.

[sammytko]

3. Stop!

[Gman]

4. Kaine didn't win election in 06

Allen lost it.

[davidpdx]

5. No, it was Jim Webb

Webb decided not to run for reelection.

[RBInMaine]

11. This has been WAY overblown and taken way out of context. Christ, quit the handwringing.