Kaine And Kilgore

Virginia has one of the two governor’s elections next month, and last night Democrat Tim Kaine (nee Mark Warner, the current governor) and Republican Jerry Kilgore squared off in their last debate.

Who won? Who knows. See here for press reactions and here for blog reactions. There is also a legitimate questions as to what “winning” debates means. Most observers felt Kaine won their last debate before the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, but then the Chamber surprised those same observers, and others, by endorsing Kilgore.

I haven’t found a transcript online yet, but based on this report of an exchange in the Cavalier Daily it seems to me that Kilgore suffered a severe Michigan/Miers moment. That is, in Bush-like fashion he missed a golden opportunity to do something impressive for civil rights, and sounded defensive in the process.

One media panelist asked Kilgore on his stance on affirmative action.

“Why should the parents of minority students seeking admission to state colleges support [you]?” Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams asked Kilgore.

Kilgore responded by saying that he supported diversity, but encouraged schools to look for other non-race-based ways to diversify their student bodies, such as appealing to first generation college students.

In responding to Kaine, Kilgore pointed out a time when, as Attorney General, Kilgore encouraged Virginia Tech to end their diversity program.

“He muscled the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors and got them to drop their diversity program,” Kaine said. “The result of that was that their minority percentage of four percent fell even lower.”

What should he have said? Well, as usual, no one asked me, but if the Kilgore campaign had asked me to write a short answer to that question I would have suggested something like a revised and rewritten version of the following:

The parents of minority students, like everyone else in the Commonwealth who believes in civil rights, should vote for me because I am the only candidate running for governor who opposes all discrimination based on race as a matter of fundamental principle.

I believe every person in this country has a right to be treated without regard to race, religion, or national origin, and thus I believe it is wrong for the state, or any other organization, to distribute benefits or burdens based on race.

My opponent disagrees. He supports preferences based on race. I don’t. I believe minority students deserve what everyone else deserves: the right to be treated equally. I am confident that minority students in Virginia can compete successfully on a level playing field. My opponent lacks that confidence in them, and thinks they need special treatment.

Minority parents, and everyone else who believes in equal rights and equal treatment and equal respect, should vote for me. Others should vote for my opponent and his polices of special treatment.

Republicans will continue to miss opportunities to receive the benefits of taking a stand on civil rights that is both principled and popular as long as they continue to go along with the Democrats in confusing “diversity” with civil rights.

Say What? (1)

  1. richard October 10, 2005 at 11:58 am | | Reply

    Bravo. That’s why I tune in, John.

Say What?