History Repeats Itself

Virginia Democrats say they are not worried that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will neglect his job as governor while serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

But in December 2000, when then President-elect George W. Bush named Gov. James S. Gilmore chairman of the Republican National Committee Democrats, sang a different tune.

Lawrence H. Framme III, the then co-chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, told the Washington Post at the time that the RNC job is sure to distract Gilmore.

"It's just going to be another year of the governor not being here to solve the fiscal crisis facing the commonwealth," he said.