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
“every time i read these articles it’s the same bitter republicans getting fired up. get over it, you lost.“
Actually, we all lost. Some of us are just aware of it before we get run over.
“Defeated in the arena of ideas? Were you in an oxycontin induced stupor during the last election like your fearless leader, Rush Limbaugh? The Republican Party was summarily trounced PRECISELY because it LOST in the arena of ideas.“
Nope. It lost because of a pretty face, a glib tounge, and a gullible populace that bought into every promise however impossible. As we see happening now.
“Please point out where I was wrong in terms of Jeff Gannon and Dick Cheney’s ludicrous assertion of priviliege to cover his activities.“
Simple. Apples and oranges. Kaine promised that he would still give full time service to the state. He isn’t. Cheney would not release attendee lists of meetings made for the purpose of advising him as he did his job.
Even more simple. Jeff Gannon (actually Guckert) tricked his way into the press room briefings but was not a plant to ask friendly questions. (You could actually look his story up, but why ruin a rant with facts. Right?)
As for the rest, just a question. Do you enjoy showing a lack of knowledge of anything you write about?
every time i read these articles it’s the same bitter republicans getting fired up. get over it, you lost.
It is unfortunate that the FOIA request came from a partisan organization - the request for accountability should have come from those elected to serve the interests of all Virginians - the General Assembly. What is sad is that the General Assembly has become so partisan that it is paralyzed and Virginia Taxpayers seem
lack the will toe DEMAND that the General Assembly and Governor be accountable.
The use or misuse of taxpayer funds should be neither a republican nor democratic issue - unfortunately the rabid partisanship that exists today renders every elected legislative and oversight body ineffective.
Clearly, Kaine is taking advantage of this situation to withhold information about his apparent use of taxpayer funds to further the partisan interests of the DNC.
The situation cries out for full disclosure - write or call the Auditor of Public Accounts and demand an audit to determine how much was spend to benefit the DNC and confirm whether every cent spend by Kaine for DNC-related expenses is reimbursed, with interest, to the Commonwealth.
Republicans would do well to start explaining what they plan to do instead of harping on what others have or have not done. Democrats are masters at avoiding issues by talking about the ‘last 8 years’ when they don’t have any new ideas. Kaine is ‘old news’. People want to know if the Republicans are going to be the party of ‘me too’ or whether THEY have anything new to bring to the party.
For those far less educated than the enlightened misterfrench:
misterfrench, you protest too much. Are you not the pot calling the kettle black? Read your own post. You are the one who is guilty of name calling.
Your post is typical democratic rambling - full of assumptions about those who disagree with you. You assume we are republicans. You assume we listen to Rush Limbaugh. You insult the very news source you are posting on. You mistake humor for ignorance (ignorance, but the way, is using the term “rings hallow” instead of “rings hollow” - see your previous post).
Throwing in Sarah Palin was a nice touch and totally expected. I await your comment about Ronald Reagan.
Since you didn’t like my earlier misterfrench reference - here’s another. Have fun blaming it on Bush!
misterfrench, vous protestez trop. N’êtes-vous pas le pot appelle le noir de bouilloire ? Lisez votre propre poteau. Vous êtes la personne qui est coupable d’appeler nommé. Votre poteau est se promener démocratique typique - complètement des prétentions au sujet de ceux qui sont en désaccord avec vous. Vous supposez que nous sommes des républicains. Vous supposez que nous écoutons Rush Limbaugh. Vous insultez la source de nouvelles même que vous êtes en ligne signalisation. Vous confondez l’humeur avec l’ignorance (l’ignorance, mais la manière, emploie le “ de limite ; sonne le hallow” ; au lieu du “ ; sonne le hollow” ; - voir le votre poteau précédent). Le lancement en Sarah Palin était un contact gentil et totalement prévu. J’attends votre commentaire au sujet de Ronald Reagan.
Defeated in the arena of ideas? Were you in an oxycontin induced stupor during the last election like your fearless leader, Rush Limbaugh? The Republican Party was summarily trounced PRECISELY because it LOST in the arena of ideas.
Please point out where I was wrong in terms of Jeff Gannon and Dick Cheney’s ludicrous assertion of priviliege to cover his activities. Face it, you losers are still smarting over the fact that Republican party is day after day becoming a party devoid of any ideas or solutions. You get defeated at the polls. Your elected leaders are exposed as frauds and hypocrites. You people are still a part of the problem and still don’t get it. It’s no wonder that you people have either 1) no clue or 2) short term memories by getting your news from this fish wrapper or worse yet, FAUX NEWS.
And as for the arena of ideas, ad hominem attacks about my screen name, of which you once again truly show your ignorance, well let’s just say that name calling is the idea du jour of the Republican Party. Good job guys, keep it up. The more and more you expose yourselves, the more and more Americans will see you for the loose collection of religious nut cracks and tin foil helmet wearing lunatics that is today’s modern Republican party.
Sarah Palin in ‘12, right boys and girls? At least we’ll have excellent diplomatic relations with Russia! And we can all get back to the laying of hands and burning witches at the stake, just like the good ole days! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
You know when a Democrat apologist is defeated in the arena of idea when they pull the “bbbuutttt Bush” card or Rush Limboo comments.
Don’t bring a pea shooter to a gun fight.
You are clearly in over your head.
Jody to Mister French: “I know I stole the cookie but Buffy took one, too.“
How creative misterfrench! When a democrat is held accountable for doing something wrong it’s the same old “blame the republicans, Rush Limbauigh is a idiot” retort. Frankly it’s getting old.
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