Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Improving investigations ... Local Democrats may face three conventions to replace Bates ... Memorial services set for Sen. Bates ... Improving investigations ... Local Democrats may face three conventions to replace Bates ... Memorial services set for Sen. Bates ... COMMENTARY Jeffrey Gillespie: Citizen Kaine Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at the forefront of the silly season in 2016, it’s not at all surprising that there has not been much oxygen left in the room for their vice presidential picks. Prominent media outlets have abundant daily fodder with which to slake the appetites of even the most ravenous political junkies. With scandals and soundbites swirling around both of the nominees at breakneck speed during every 24-hour news cycle, it’s hard to focus on anyone else. But the vice presidential pick is an important one, for obvious reasons. As Clinton pulls away from Trump in most national polls, it’s worth taking a look at her Number 2, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. As with most politicians, there is more going on with Kaine than meets the eye. An affable fellow who is adept at presenting himself as unflappable, yet folksy, Kaine is actually a complex infighter with a seriously tough strategic capacity. And while he might look boring next to the glossy former Secretary of State, he is an excellent companion politico for the kind of demographic dream-team that only Camp Clinton could design with such ruthless precision. While Kaine identifies as a mainstream Democrat, many of his positions seem distinctly Republican. He acknowledges climate change as scientific fact, but also likes the idea of expanded coal production, and has long endorsed the idea of making such production into a "cleaner technology." Since the production of "clean coal" is nowadays generally acknowledged to be scientifically impossible, it would appear that while Kaine is a realist when it comes to climate change, he is a demagogue when it comes to sidestepping clean energy regulations that might actually help to slow that change. Similarly, while Kaine is a supporter of Roe v. Wade, he is hardly a vocal champion of women’s rights. He is personally pro-life. When asked directly about reproductive rights, he has carefully crafted his answers, stating that “in government, we have enough things to worry about” (other than making reproductive decisions for women) and that he is “largely inclined” not to interfere in a woman’s right to choose; neither statement gives a clear answer on what the senator might or might not do were he faced with a tough political decision on the abortion issue. While he supports same-sex marriage, he does not support the right of same-sex partners to adopt. He is particularly passionate about the balance of power in Washington, D.C., when it comes to issues of war. Specifically, Kaine has introduced bills into Congress that would require that same body to sign off on any deployment of American soldiers into battle — a move that would seriously curb presidential power when it came to major military decisions. That philosophy has been remarkably consistent, and Kaine broke with the Obama administration over the president’s decision to go after ISIL in Syria, calling any such intervention “unconstitutional.” The consistent trend in Kaine’s policy positions is one that is informed by his Catholic faith when it comes to matters of life and death. While he is pro-life, pro-growth and pro-gun (he owns several himself,) he is inclined toward anti-interventionism and does not believe in the death penalty. In fact, Kaine looks more like a moderate Republican than he does a mainstream Democrat on almost everything except taxes, where his liberal credentials are well documented. As such, Kaine is an ideal running mate for a neoliberal former Goldwater Girl who is masquerading as a Democrat. While the best possible outcome of this election is in the fact that the nation will have thwarted a madman from Manhattan, we can expect a pretty serious hangover on Nov. 9, when it will be apparent that everyday citizens can continue to expect business as usual from Washington. Ashland resident Jeffrey Gillespie is a Daily Tidings columnist, arts reviewer and freelance writer. Email him at gillespie.jeffrey @gmail.com. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501