Va. Republicans drop fight over access to Kaine’s DNC travel records

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 .