Tim Kaine to head DNC

Obama taps the Virginia governor to succeed Howard Dean.

Published January 5, 2009 12:57AM (EST)

Barack Obama has tapped Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to run the Democratic National Committee, anonymous sources told the New York Times and the Associated Press

When the party elects officers in Washington next month, Kaine will succeed Howard Dean. It's a tradition for the party leaders to defer to the choice of a sitting president. War Room readers will recall that Kaine was among the top contenders under consideration to be Obama's vice-presidential running mate in the 2008 election.

Kaine was elected governor of Virginia in 2005, but is barred by terms limits from serving more than one term. His term expires at the end of this year, but he'll be able to continue serving as governor while also serving as Democratic party chairman.


By Katharine Mieszkowski

Katharine Mieszkowski is a senior writer for Salon.

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