Obama says he, Kaine, share “pragmatic” philosophy

-- WASHINGTON

-- President-elect Barack Obama introduced Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee today, saying the two share a "pragmatic progressive" political philosophy.

During a short appearance at the party's headquarters on Capitol Hill, Obama called Virginia "a state that reflects America" and referred to Kaine as a "good friend," who governs "not by appealing to our divisions but by appealing to our common hopes."

"We must build a movement for change that can endure beyond a single election," Obama said, a theme Kaine echoed.

"We're not the ideologues, the obstructionists, the gridlock folks, we're the problem-solvers," Kaine said.

Kaine, who has a year remaining in his term as governor, said shortly after the November election that he had no interest in the job.

But he suggested Obama had convinced him otherwise.

"You proved to me in this discussion what you proved to Americans in the year before -- that you are a very persuasive individual," said Kaine.

As incoming president, Obama is the de facto party head. The president customarily designates his party's chairman.

Kaine, a national co-chairman of Obama's campaign, was the first governor to endorse Obama outside of Illinois. He later was a finalist to be Obama's running mate.

Virginia Republican Party chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick called Kaine's appointment disappointing. When Virginia "needs its elected leaders to come together" Kaine "breaks yet another pledge, this time taking a job he said he wouldn't accept," Frederick said.

Kaine said shortly after Election Day that the party chairmanship would take "my eye too much off the ball."

Then-Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore chaired the Republican National Committee during the final year of his gubernatorial term in 2001-2002.

Despite predictions that Gilmore's national leadership role would help Virginia Republicans, Virginia has become more Democratic since.

The shift was highlighted in November when Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Virginia in 44 years.

Kaine and Obama took no questions at their 10-minute joint appearance.

Kaine inherits the chairmanship of the Democratic Party from former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who launched a 50-state strategy to grow the Democratic base and expanded the use of voter-contact technology first tested in Virginia state Senate elections in 2007.

Obama credited Dean with ushering in a "new era in Washington," involving more people in politics. The party reported it received 1.1 million new donors in the past three years, with the average donor giving $63.88.

Contact Neil H. Simon at (202) 662-7669 or .