Kaine vows to fight on

WASHINGTON -- Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine officially became the chairman of the Democratic National Committee yesterday, promising to continue the party's fight for votes in Republican strongholds.

"The 50-state strategy is now and forever what Democrats do," Kaine declared, drawing a standing ovation from more than 400 Democratic committee members at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park hotel. The members elected him on a voice vote to the four-year term as party chief.

"I feel like I'm taking over for someone who just won three Super Bowls," Kaine said upon receiving the party's gavel from outgoing Chairman Howard Dean.

In a farewell address to the party, Dean hailed Virginia as an example of what can happen when Democrats compete everywhere. President Barack Obama, who picked Kaine to lead the DNC, was the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the commonwealth's electoral votes since 1964.

"Governor Kaine understands the importance of reaching out to everyone -- even Southwest Virginia," Dean said.

Kaine said he will serve part time in 2009 and will accept no salary from the party this year, his final one as governor. Virginia prohibits governors from seeking consecutive terms.

Kaine said he may travel more on the campaign trail toward the end of the year, when New Jersey and Virginia hold statewide elections. Those are the only two states that elect governors this year.

Kaine said that in the spring, he expects to release details of how the Democrats will adjust the 50-state strategy.

"We can never rest on just what worked yesterday," he said.

Kaine would not be as bold as his predecessor in predicting victories for Democrats, who are riding high on expanded congressional majorities and a newly sworn-in Democratic president.

Looking forward to the next presidential contest, Dean predicted: "In 2012, Texas and Missouri are going to be Democratic states."

Kaine later told reporters that he prefers to "say you're an underdog everywhere and sneak up on people rather than tell them you're going to win."

In November, Kaine said he would not take the top job at the Democratic Party. Two weeks ago, Kaine cited Obama's ability to be persuasive as he accepted the nomination as chairman, Obama at his side.

Kaine said it was premature to talk about how he would work with Obama to raise money for the party, which ran up a $15 million debt in the 2008 campaign.

He said his goal is to support the White House agenda and engage people in public policy, not just campaigns.

"We've fought for the change we believe in, and now it's time to make it real," he said.

Contact Neil H. Simon at .