Virginia Republicans will appeal to the court of public opinion instead of a court of law to fight over access to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's out-of-town travel records as Democratic National Committee chairman.
"To continue our pursuit of the documents in question would leave us with the only option of taking the issue to litigation," state GOP chairman Pat Mullins said in a statement released today, responding to a letter sent by Kaine's office late last week denying his request for the records.
"That course of action would occupy state resources in the use of the public court system and the governor's counsel in defending their refusal," Mullins continued. "In this time of economic difficulty and massive budget shortfalls in Virginia, I cannot in good conscience approve such a proceeding."
Republicans have pressed Kaine to disclose his whereabouts and provide details of his travel and expenses when he leaves the commonwealth on behalf of his part time job as DNC chairman.
On Friday, the administration responded to the request, citing state law and legal precedent that the records are considered "working papers" and do not have to be released.
-- Jim Nolan
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