The timing could be better for Repbulicans eager to keep driving home the idea that Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's dual-hatting as Democratic National Committee chairman has cost Virginia voters Kaine's time and their money.
With the next gubernatorial election less than five months away, the RNC's research department circulated a Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial to Republicans Thursday morning that chastised Kaine. He won't be on the ballot, but he's popular -- and pointing out the incumbent's flaws might make him a less effective advocate from Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds in his race against Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
On any normal day, that wouldn't raise eyebrows.
But this is the day after South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, admitted that he gave his security detail and aides the slip for nearly a week so that he could visit a lover in Argentina. He paid for this trip with his own dime, he said, but he didn't take a leave of absence from the duties he couldn't perform when he was out of pocket.
RNC spokeswoman Gail Gitcho notes that the state and national parties have been going after Kaine for weeks on the issue. That pressure contributed to the governor's announcement this week that the DNC would start reimbursing the state for the cost of Kaine's security detail accompanying him to national party events.
"It is perfectly legitimate for Republicans and Virginians raise questions about Governor Kaine's duties to the state and to take him to task for using state funds for DNC travel," Gitcho said. "There is no way Republicans will back off questioning Governor Kaine for this, it is legitimate and serious concern."
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