Virginia Democrats gave birth to a political band mid-last decade which changed the freaking world. Raised up in a rough smoky red state, beaten down by the smirking certainty of the era, four politicos found each other and created a progressive political vibe which will forever be identified with Virginia Democrats.

Virginia Democrats gave birth to a political band mid-last decade which changed the freaking world. Raised up in a rough smoky red state, beaten down by the smirking certainty of the era, four politicos found each other and created a progressive political vibe which will forever be identified with Virginia Democrats. Timmy, Jimmy, Mark and, later, Barack, created a political sound which moved people who audaciously hoped for more than endless war and who never learned to hate government so much they could let a whole city drown.

Chairman Dickie Cranwell was the perfect opening act. That afternoon in Fredericksburg when he took control of the timid Democratic state party, his country lawyer voice booming and layered in a thick sap of a downstate Vaaahginia drawl. He strutted onto the stage, and beamed back at us all, cajoling, “Now sit down, and be quiet. There is a new sheriff in town.” Thin fingers pinched nearly together he held them up for the room to see, “The Republican Party status quos is like a spider,” he said. “And it is the job of every good Virginia Democrat to, every single day, gently pick up our friend the spider and put it back on the mirror of truth. And make the spider face the truth about itself, day in and day out, that it is a spider. Tell the people the truth, you spider.” Red meat inhaled. A party reinvigorated. The ships of a million happy political warriors launched.

To the fans and political groupies it seemed perfect. But band life on the road is not always as it seems. Timmy, the moody talented true believer in the good work of public service, has been trying to find himself. Jimmy recently quit the band saying he is just not that into the lifestyle. Mark has gone a little corporate. And Barack, well, he has been distracted with problems back at the house.

Virginia Democrats have to pick their candidate to run for U.S. Senate next year. Tim Kaine is the political champion of the Democratic Party of Virginia – with no disrespect to other political artists and fully acknowledging political status has to be earned every day. Tim Kaine has the name recognition, the fundraising ability, deep connections to politics from city council to the presidency, personal gravitas, history with the voters of Virginia, and the status as one of the original members of the world changing political band of Virginia politicians.

Tim Kaine will say soon whether or not he intends to run, and the political world is pausing a moment to see what he will do. There is chatter in the grassroots about promising candidates like Tom Perriello, and some discussion about whether or not a contested Democratic nomination should be subject to a primary or a convention. There is a disquieting dearth of diversity in the possible candidates being mentioned by Virginia Democrats – and not much being said about it.

But let us first hear from our featured artist Tim Kaine.

Michael Gardner is a quixotic citizen and founder of the Blueweeds community blog.