Kaine, others in Hampton Roads

Governor Tim Kaine came to Hampton Roads today in support of our General Assembly candidates. I caught up with the Governor in Newport News, where he joined John Miller to talk to voters at a local restaurant. Also on hand to help out were House Democratic caucus chair Brian Moran, Senator Creigh Deeds, Senator Louise Lucas and Del. Jeion Ward.

Next stop: the headquarters of Senate candidate John Miller. The place was overflowing with people, including a number of teachers, various education association personnel, and other supporters.Del. Moran addressed the assembled crowd, followed by Sen. Deeds, who introduced John Miller. Gov. Kaine spoke as well. As you know, Miller has been asking his supporters to not only contribute to his campaign, but also to bring school supplies. Today he distributed school supplies to the many teachers in the audience. He also announced that collection and distribution of school supplies will be an annual event during his tenure as Senator.

We then headed to Norfolk, where a group of canvassers awaited us. Gov. Kaine joined Del. Paula Miller and Senate candidate Ralph Northam, knocking on some doors in East Ocean View. Del. Moran also was there. The group managed to knock on quite a few doors in the 40 minutes or so that the Kaine was with them. One voter said that he had not paid much attention to local races in the past but that he felt that this was an important race and he intended to go out and vote. He listened intently as the governor and the candidates answered his question about health care.

Virginia Beach was the last stop – at least for me – on this tour. Gathered near Mt. Trashmore was a sizeable group of folks, many of whom who had been out canvassing earlier in the day. We heard from the three Beach candidates – Bob MacIver, Joe Bouchard and Bobby Mathieson – as well as from the governor.

There was a consistent theme throughout this day: the need to turn out the vote. These off-year elections are low-turnout affairs and all of the speakers emphasized the need to get folks to come out. As the governor said, small turnout means small margins of victory – and every vote counts.