Our Man in Arlington

The big guns of the national and state Democratic Party were rolled out in Arlington last Tuesday, and the firepower was impressive. The occasion was the delivery of a $1.5 million check by Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe made out to Lt. Governor Tim Kaine’s gubernatorial campaign committee. This is the first installment of a $5 million commitment McAuliffe made for the Virginia Democratic Party’s statewide campaign this year.

This is unprecedented in the history of the Democratic Party and it represents the new commitment of the national Democratic Party to concentrate on the building of a strong grassroots organizations in both red and blue states leading to a Democratic win in the 2008 presidential election.

The Democratic financial picture McAuliffe revealed at Tuesday’s meeting was stunning. In 2001, when he took over the DNC, the party was mired in debt. Today, in spite of the loss of the presidential campaign, the national party is awash in cash (the DNC raised $10 million after November 2), and the potential for the next four years is huge. McAuliffe said the national party intends to raise at least a billion dollars, and much of that will be spent building a solid grassroots foundation state by state. Virginia is just the beginning in this long-range effort to retake the reins of the national government.

Tim Kaine treated the event almost like a campaign kickoff. He came out swinging. He said that no candidate could best him in a pro-family pro-values battle. He cited his own stellar record for inclusiveness that includes an outstanding record as a civil rights lawyer and deep involvement in the Hispanic community, where he speaks in excellent Spanish. He even included Republicans in that record of inclusiveness. His father-in-law, who supports him, is former Republican governor Linwood Holton.

Kaine also stressed his strong pro-business record, pointedly mentioning the fact that most major business interests in the state joined with him and Governor Mark Warner in restructuring the bleak fiscal situation left by the former governor Jim Gilmore. Many Republican members of the General Assembly opposed this effort. Kaine strongly believes that this will hurt Republican efforts in the 2005 election campaigns. He also emphasized his “pro-investment” platform, meaning largely a commitment to adequate funding for education at all levels. Kaine also poked fun at some state Republicans’ characterization of Virginia Democrats as angry and bitter. On the contrary, Kaine said, “I am happy and upbeat!” And he really looked it.

Kerry Donnelley of Alexandria, former Mayor of Alexandria and presently chair of the Virginia Democratic Party emceed the meeting. Speakers included the ubiquitous and very upbeat 8th District congressman, Jim Moran, and Susan Swecker, one of the Virginia members of the Democratic National Committee and chair of the DNC’s southern caucus.

The event was quickly thrown together because of the fundraising moratorium placed on candidates for state office during the meeting of the General Assembly. The 2005 General Assembly began work on Wednesday. It was also the first community event to be held in the wonderful Tiffany Gallery of the newly reconstructed Arlington Arts Center on the first day of its opening. Time will tell if the optimism expressed by everyone in attendance is warranted. But the election season is off to a good start! Richard Barton may be emailed at rbarton@towervillas.com