Grow Up

Some Virginia Republicans get it; others do not.

Regarding Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine's budget presentation, House Speaker Bill Howell and Appropriations Committee Chairman Lacey Putney reacted appropriately. They neither reflexively rejected Kaine's total package nor engaged in partisan gamesmanship. Their offices issued a joint statement asserting the General Assembly responsibilities to examine the proposals carefully and to embrace or reject items on their merits. Howell and Putney also argued that certain tax initiatives should not be "embedded" in the budget but should stand alone for consideration by the Finance Committee. The tone was deliberate, not provocative. A statement from Senate Republicans wasn't bad, either, although it had its snippy moments.

The Republican Party of Virginia, on the other hand, issued a statement that defined "sophomoric." The press release bore a tell-tale headline: "No Bailout for Kaine's Mismanagement: Governor Calls for Tax Hikes to Address Budget Shortfall His Administration Created." The document proceeded to list the Kaine team's errors, yet despite making several legitimate points defeated its purpose by going over the rhetorical top. Yes, it may be that Kaine's budget projections were not gloomy enough, but Kaine did not "create" the shortfall. A collapsing economy bears the blame.

Other states confront far more serious crunches than Virginia's; others face fewer difficulties. It also bears remembering that when Kaine first warned of slowing revenue many months ago, Republicans berated him for his pessimism. At the time the official line nationally and in Virginia held that happy days had never left. Republicans scorned Kaine's initial request to tap the rainy-day fund, but later dipped into it themselves, as every cynic -- i.e., every realist -- knew they would.

The point today is that the official statement of the GOP's political apparatus reeks of division. It epitomizes the cocky hubris that has accelerated the party's decline.

The statement by the House leadership is more carefully crafted. Attorney General Bob McDonnell released a budget statement of probity as well.

This week Virginia Republicans have been shown two alternatives. The rank-and-file should note the differences -- and remember that the future will belong to the party of reform, not the party of rejection.