I’ll admit it, I’m a Kaineiac. I’ve been a lifelong Virginian and have had the pleasure of voting for Kaine three times: as lieutenant governor, governor and senator. Now that the rest of America is starting to learn more about our guy, I wanted to share some highlights of his career. Feel free to add more!
Kaine in gubernatorial debate (2005)
"I came back from Honduras, having worked with poor kids with a renewed respect for the sanctity of life. And not because my church teaches it — but because I have come to believe the teachings of my church through my adult life, I believe life is sacred.
And I haven’t hesitated to state consistently over the years that I am against abortion and the death penalty.
And I have stated since I first got into public life: I am not going to change my religious view to get elected to public office.
And I won’t let anybody push me around for my religious views or question them.
But beginning in 1994, I have taken on the role of public servant. And I have had to put my hand on a Bible, affirming everything I believe, and raise my right hand and swear that I will uphold the laws of the Commonwealth and of the United States.”
Text of debate: waldo.jaquith.org/...
Kaine’s Gubernatorial Inaugural Address (2006)
“We recognize that our destiny is a shared destiny and that our commitment to community is a condition of our advancement. Our Virginia might not exist today were it not for the generosity extended to those first settlers by the native Virginia tribes living in this region. Without the hospitality of Chief Powhatan or the compassion of Pocahontas, those in Jamestown would have perished. Throughout Virginia's history, we have succeeded only when we have welcomed all to the table of Thanksgiving.”
Text of speech: votesmart.org/...
Video of speech: www.c-span.org/...
Kaine’s convocation remarks after Virginia Tech shooting (2007)
“Despair is a natural emotion at a time like this. They're all natural, they're all appropriate but let me ask one thing of you, this community, as you wrestle with your sadness, as you wrestle with your own feelings of anger, of confusion as you wrestle with the despair, even you family members who have lost people close, you do not let hold of that spirit of community that makes Virginia Tech such a special place. Do not lose hold of that.”
Text of speech: www.remembrance.vt.edu/...
Kaine’s speech at the DNC (2008)
“If we put our faith into action, we can move mountains.
We can move the mountains of negativity and division and gridlock.
We can move the mountains of special interests and business as usual.
We can move the mountains of hopelessness that surround too many of our people and communities.”
Text and video of speech: www.huffingtonpost.com/…
Kaine’s speech at the DNC (2012)
"Next week, we commemorate the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Many Virginians lost their lives at the Pentagon that day and in the wars we've fought since. As governor, I went to funerals of Virginia Guard members. I know people who lost their kids and soldiers who returned, their lives forever changed. Their sacrifice reminds us we're not Democrats or Republicans first. We're Americans first."
Text of speech: www.politico.com/...
Kaine’s Senate address on immigration reform (2013), first speech on Senate floor given entirely in Spanish
“I hope that we will start a new chapter and send a strong message to the world that we are a country of laws but also of fairness and equality. Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past but let’s also remember that the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. Finding a perfect solution should not stand in the way of progress.”
Text of speech: www.kaine.senate.gov/...
Kaine’s speech in opposition to Keystone pipeline (2014)
“We always have to make sure that regulations strike the right balance, but by becoming cleaner tomorrow than today, we’re creating jobs, protecting the environment, reducing our trade deficit and ending our overdependence on energy from foreign nations. And, as members of the armed services committee—the members here on the floor—the reduced energy independence is great for American national security.”
Text of speech: augustafreepress.com/…
Kaine’s speech during gun-safety filibuster (2016)
"I can't say I'd be a hero. But in this body, we don't have to be heroes! We just have to not be bystanders. We've been bystanders in this body, we've been bystanders in this nation, as this carnage of gun violence has gone from one tragedy to the next. To cast a vote, that's not heroic. To stand up and say we can be safer tomorrow, we can protect people's lives, that's not heroic. That's just saying, 'I will not be a bystander.' And that's all we have to do."
Video of speech: www.c-span.org/...
