Bolling Ready to Take Over From Kaine

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) has begun cursory, internal discussions with advisors about assuming the role of governor should Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) be selected as Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) running mate this week.

"In the event it comes to it, Bill is prepared to assume his constitutional responsibility as governor," said Randy Marcus, Bolling's chief of staff. "There has been due prudence, and we have had some initial thoughts about how we would handle things."

If Kaine were to join Obama on the ticket, Kaine would only have to step down as governor if he and Obama won the Nov. 4 general election. But some Republicans say Kaine, whose term ends in January 2010, should consider stepping down immediately if he is selected given the fact the governor himself said Monday "difficult" decisions will have to made this fall because the state is facing a potentially big budget shortfall.

Kaine would also have to justify to Virginia residents how it is in the state's best interest to have their governor out on the national campaign trail for the next three months after he has only being in office two and half years.

On a conference call with reporters Monday, House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) and Sen. Linda T. "Toddy" Puller (D-Fairfax) steered clear of a question about whether Kaine could be a vice-presidential candidate and handle the budget situation at the same time.

Kaine also refused to answer the question on Monday.

"I think there will be a lot Republicans who raise the issue, but we are going to defer to Governor Kaine" on whether he should resign, Marcus said. "We are going to defer to the governor's judgment on that."

He added, "We are prepared if it comes to that."