TIM KAINE ON THE ISSUES

I am an optimist about America’s future.  I reject the pessimism about America that is too common today.  My life experience -- as a young man working with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras, as a civil rights lawyer battling housing discrimination in Richmond, as an elected official representing great constituents at the state and local level -- has taught me to be a practical optimist.

We’re living in tough times, but we’ve seen tough times before.  Just as in the past, our innovative and resilient spirit will enable us to lead and thrive in a changing and uncertain world.  To do so, we need leaders who are courageous enough to make hard decisions, smart enough to think long term about our national direction, and independent enough to reject party lines to creatively address our needs.

America has challenges, but Virginia has answers.  In most of the key areas of national debate -- the economy, fiscal responsibility, the need to find common ground in our politics -- Virginia has strong lessons to offer a nation searching for renewed purpose.  My wife Anne and I have had the good fortune to serve people in this Commonwealth for the last 27 years, both through elected office and other forms of public service.  During this time, we’ve seen Virginia grow more economically dynamic, more diverse and inclusive, and more politically competitive.  If I am elected to the Senate in 2012, I will take the lessons I’ve learned over a lifetime of public service to Washington and join with others who want to break through gridlock and find results for the best nation on earth.

• JOB CREATION & ECONOMIC GROWTH

  

  I served as Governor of Virginia during the worst national recession in 70 years.  But our unemployment rate was among the nation’s lowest, and our median income was near the top.  We recruited numerous businesses (MeadWestvaco, Hilton, CSC, SAIC, VW of North America) to move their headquarters from other states to Virginia.  Read more

• FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

  

  When I was Governor, Virginia was named the “Best Managed State in America” (tied with Utah and Washington).  We were Triple A bond rated by every ratings agency and the Pew Center on the States singled Virginia out for its exemplary management during recessionary times.  Read more

• RENEWING A SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND

  

  The biggest problem with our politics is that Congressional leaders don’t seek common ground to find solutions at a challenging time.  In Richmond, I was the Mayor of a very diverse community and we worked together.  Read more

• ENERGY

  

  America’s long-term goal should be to expand the use of low polluting forms of energy.  It’s good for the economy, good for America’s security and good for the environment.  We need to be on the cutting edge of new clean energy technologies like wind, solar and nuclear power.  Read more

• ENVIRONMENT

  

  I am an avid outdoorsman and will always work to protect our air, water and land resources.  I will also resist ongoing efforts to weaken environmental regulations that are needed to protect public health.  The natural treasures of Virginia and the rest of the nation have intrinsic and economic value that must be handled with care.  Read more

• PROTECTING MEDICAID, MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY

  

  Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security are fundamental programs for seniors and the disabled.  I will always fight to protect and strengthen these programs.  For decades, Social Security has been a vital safety net for our seniors and some estimates show that without Social Security, the poverty rate amongst seniors would as high as 44%.  Read more

• HEALTH CARE

  

  I support the Affordable Care Act as a first step to put patients in charge of their health care decisions and put the brakes on runaway health care costs that were crippling patients and businesses.  Read more

• EDUCATION

  

  In the last sixty years, Virginia moved from a low-income, low-education state to one with a dynamic economy that is effective at attracting new businesses, great schools and a wonderful quality of life.  I believe the key to this progress has been our ongoing commitment to expanding and improving educational opportunities in our Commonwealth.  Read more

• IMMIGRATION

  

  America is a nation of immigrants.  Our strength and international competitiveness has continually been augmented by the skills and talents of people coming to this nation from around the world.  But for far too long our immigration system has been broken and for more than a decade Congress has been unable to work in a bipartisan manner to find a way forward that reflects our American values and tradition.  Read more

• INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

  

  A commitment to the basic equality of all persons is one of my core values.  As a former civil rights lawyer, I am committed to federal policies that treat all equally without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.  Read more

• NATIONAL SECURITY / MILITARY & VETERANS

  

  America’s strength in the world is best expressed when we balance military strength, economic strength, diplomatic strength and strength of our moral example.  We must use each of these levers as we deal with a complex and changing international scene.  Read more