According to The Washington Post, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine will be named chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe how far he has come since I first met him in 1996. Back then, Kaine was the mayor of Richmond, chosen by his peers to lead that city. I considered it remarkable then, mainly because Richmond had a majority black council. What made him the choice of his fellow council members impressed me then and made me watch his subsequent moves. While he has had his detractors, I think Kaine has done a decent job as he has progressed.
Congratulations to the governor! I’m sure he will make a fine chairman.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Vivian, no offense intended, but the mayor position in Richmond prior to 2003 was nothing but a ceremonial position. A good comparison would be a Chairman position on a county Board of Supervisors which is elected by the Board to the position.
It wasn’t until 2003 when Doug Wilder campaigned for the elected mayor referendum that the mayor position was given any real authority.
I know – we have the same setup here in Norfolk. That wasn’t my point. My point was that a majority black council chose a young white guy to be the city’s leader. That says a whole lot about him – and them.