Former DNC Chairman Tim “Abuser Fees” Kaine has a Willie Horton issue times 10 lurking in his background. From the WaPo:
National Republican Senatorial Campaign strategist and longtime Allen ally Chris LaCivita says it’s a telling commentary on Kaine’s judgment, and it’s certain to be in the GOP’s arsenal later this year.
Not so fast, others say. Steve Jarding guided successful Democratic campaigns for Jim Webb and Mark Warner and says it’s a valid but secondary issue, one that could blow up on the Republicans if they overreach.
Short version? This is bad. As in Dustin Hoffman in “Rain Man” bad (very bad).
How bad is it? This guy brutally murdered two people in Botetourt County in 1985, and Kaine turned him loose. Now the guy is selling books and comparing himself to Amanda Knox.
Of course, Kaine is trying to pawn this off as something else:
Kaine explained his decision earlier this month as primarily a fiscal consideration, telling reporters: “I basically decided, look, Virginia taxpayers have borne the cost of this German citizen’s incarceration for 20-plus years. I thought it was time for German citizens to bear the cost of his incarceration.”
The problem with this story? Kaine’s DNC connections plus Soering’s diplomatic connections in Germany make this story a bit more interesting than just a simple “catch and release” program.
Which, of course, makes the latent threat from Jarding and other Democratic strategists that much more compelling. Why the threat? What “overreach” are we talking about here? Are the circumstances off-limits to reporters and bloggers? Is Kaine’s position as Governor in question? Moreover, if the Kaine campaign is so concerned about this not becoming a story, why is the DSCC tossing folks a bone but warning of “overreach”? Why toss the press a bone and then warn “this and no further”? What is the real story here?
The MSM may not do the digging… but someone will.
