Va. Republicans drop fight over access to Kaine’s DNC travel records
BOB BROWN/TIMES-DISPATCH
The governor’s office does not post Kaine’s political events on his official public schedule. But Kaine has said anyone wishing to know his DNC whereabouts simply can ask him or the national party or representatives of his political-action committee, Moving Virginia Forward.
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 yesterday, 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 Virginia on behalf of his part-time job as DNC chairman.
On Friday, the Kaine 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.
The governor's office does not post Kaine's political events on his official public schedule. But Kaine has said anyone wishing to know his DNC whereabouts simply can ask him or the national party or representatives of his political-action committee, Moving Virginia Forward.
In previous interviews, he has said the DNC job "absolutely" does not force him to shortchange his state responsibilities.
Republicans, anxious to soften the Democrats' electoral grip on the state in the upcoming statewide elections, have suggested that Kaine is neglecting his day job as governor to further national-party interests at the expense of state taxpayers, who pay for the governor's security.
Early last week, however, Kaine said he would break with past practice of previous governors and instruct the DNC to repay for the state for security costs to protect him when he is out-of-state. Kaine's personal expenses already were being reimbursed by the party.
Kaine spent yesterday in New York raising money for the national party.
"As a Virginia resident, I continue to believe that the people have a right to know where their elected governor is, especially when he leaves the boundaries of the commonwealth for political business unrelated to the concerns of the taxpayers of Virginia," Mullins said.
Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or
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Reader Reactions
As the Governor of Virginia, he should hold himself to a higher standard - and not necessarily hide behind various laws and precedent not to release these types of records.
Virginians expect better of their Governor and should demand so!
“Actually, ssn, this about the refusal of the executive to release documents. Nothing more, nothing less.“
No. It’s not. Kaine is not doing the job he was elected to do. Cheney was. That is how simple it is.
“And as far as the Guckert story, you’re right, why let the facts get in the way of the truth as you so distort what really happened. His question wasn’t a plant?“
Then we can assume that you have a story you can refer us to that says it was. Or are you the only person with a self-defined investigative reporters credentials?
“Further, it doesn’t surprise me that you think that having the Enron boys come in and dictate energy policy is nothing but business as usual.“
You have absolutely no idea what my opinion is. You are just blowing smoke because you have nothing substantial.
“You know what? This is Bush’s fault, and it’s so bad right now, I doubt Obama will fix it.“
Really? He did it all by himself without the efforts of congress? Amazing.
“Of course, I’m sure you guys will still be blaming Bill Clinton, but there’s nothing new there.“
Let’s see now. From you “I’m sure you guys will still be blaming Bill Clinton” and “This is Bush’s fault”. Notice a little hypocrisy?
“There’s no arguing with a true believer.“
Well you have certainly proven that to be so.
Welshwoman: Go look up Ron Paul’s proposed legislation requiring an audit of the Federal Reserve. I think the bill should be expanded to include an audit of the entire federal government. Having the GAO audit things is like having the fox audit the chickencoop. Two high ranking officials have gotten the ax in the last 2 weeks because they blew the whistle on what’s going on. An audit in Virginia is past due also. Maybe a grass roots amendment initiative is needed to take the decision out of the hands of legislators and executives who have too much to lose - or be exposed.
I still contend that if you are a public figure you should disclose information. I would like to see Obama’s birth certificate and school records. I would like to see Kaine’s travel records. Where is my tax money going? If they won’t reveal it they have something to hide. Obama’s college records have no bearing on national security - there’s no reason to hide it. Kaine’s travel records would show a lot he doesn’t want us to know. If you have nothing to hide you won’t care about revealing those things. That’s not the case here.
If Tim Kaine wants to do DNC business and go out of town constantly, I say let him! As long as he’s doing that, he’s not screwing with us. I want that knob out of our lives - actually all of those political knobs out of our lives. The more distracted they are, the better off we are - they’re less mischievous that way.
We had such high hopes for Tim Kaine as governor. Unfortunately he has been sidetracked from his most important job as the state’s CEO - to serve others, outside of the Commonwealth. Kaine really needs to turn his attention back to Virginia to try to salvage his legacy. And personally, I care not what Jim Gilmore did. Again, we expected so much more from Tim.
The citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia should demand Kaine be completely above board regarding his part time job for his party. Virginans should not have to pay one cent toward his side job. Period. As of resident and a voter, I am outraged by his lack of candor. He should remember that Virginians will have great memories come election time.
“Timmy” decided to add a one-day trip to Dubai because the state is engaged in “confidential” negotiations with a UAE company to open a facility in Virginia.
“Timmy” explained that $32,000 of the $71,000 cost would be paid by the state, with part of the rest by “””a lobbying group””” out of DC. Hummmm?
What kind of facility Timmy?
In Dubai, Kaine said he met people from a company that is considering Virginia as a site for its U.S. operations. “””He wouldn’t name the company.”””
“WHY”
I wounder how much this TOP SECRET company will contribute to the DNC?
Is it a port! TIMMY???
Little India on da James or better yet, Rockets Little Dubai Landing. Has a nice sound to it, ya think?
Heck they will only have to travel down stream to go to work at their new PORT if that’s what it is???? And you know what else floats down stream in dat part of da river!
So maybe now we will sell off “no give away” our infrastructure paid for by American tax dollars?
It’s the only thing I can think of if the Governor of New Jersey needs to keep it so CONFIDENTIAL!!!
So WAZUP Timmy? Let us in on this NEW idea you have cooking Timmy, let us in on the secret, PLEASE!
PS Timmy there‘s a really nice little Mexican restaurant two or three blocks south of Central Park. You and the wife go have dinner on whatever establishment it is you represent today, VA, NJ or da DNC WHATEVER!
They can pay for it! We can keep that CONFIDENTIAL; you know just between us good ol VA BOYS.
Randy - I will not defend Cheney, however you and others are attempting to compare apples with oranges. I believe the term working papers was intended to encompass writings by which advisors provide confidential advice to a President, Vice-President, or Governor. While Kaine would like us to believe records related to the DNC fall into this category, I believe that papers that document expenses, paid by Virginians on behalf of the DNC, have noting to do with “confidential advice provided the executive”. They are records supporting financial transactions involving the expenditure of taxpayer funds. Taxpayers and Citizens of the Commonwealth are entitled to assurance and confirmation that their tax money was not spent to subsidize the expenses of any partisan political organization, or other organization, by which the executive is employed while Governor.
Just curious, but, if Dick Cheney not releasing his documents is an outrage, why isn’t it an outrage that Kaine won’t release his?
If one person gets away with something wrong, are you telling me that it’s o.k. for someone else to get away with it simply because someone else did? Is that how we’re rationalizing stuff these days?
That doesn’t sound rational at all.
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