Veepstakes 2008: Tim Kaine on Reproductive Health

It's that time of the election year. As we inch toward the Democratic and Republican conventions, everyone is wondering: whose lucky name will occupy the coveted second spot on bumper stickers plastered on cars nationwide? In other words: whom will John McCain and Barack Obama choose as running mates?

One name that keeps coming up as Senator Obama's potential running mate is my very own Governor Tim Kaine from Virginia.

Since not everyone hails from the awesome (red but possibly purple) state of Virginia, Kaine is relatively unknown to many Americans. And even among voters who do know him, confusion on his stances on a series of issues, including sexual and reproductive health, is widespread.

What are Gov. Kaine's positions on sexual and reproductive health issues?

Kaine was on The Charlie Rose show July 30 and said of abortion, "I don't know of a single American who doesn't think we should have fewer abortions." He explained that he has supported restrictions in Virginia on abortion -- a parental consent law, a partial-birth abortion ban, and an informed consent provision - but also "greater health care access for women, better education of youngsters...health care access including access to contraception, for example."

When asked whether he wants to see Roe v. Wade overturned, Gov. Kaine said, "I don't think the Supreme Court should. Roe vs. Wade is ultimately about saying that there is a realm of personal liberty for people to make this decision -- a woman to make this decision with her doctor, with her pastor, with others..."

Regarding sexuality education in our schools, Governor Kaine sent a strong message to other states and the federal government in November 2007, when he submitted a plan to eliminate $275,000 from the Virginia state budget that was previously allocated for abstinence-only funding through Title V.

At the time, he stated that "the research shows programs that are abstinence-only are not successful. The budget will not have funding for abstinence-only programs. If the people look at the research, the answer is pretty clear."

Kaine's communications director, Delacey Skinner, told the Washington Post that "the governor supports abstinence-based education, but the governor wants to see us funding programs that are evidence-based." She also added that the state will offer "more comprehensive" sex education.

When Virginia Republicans came down hard on Kaine and his decision, Kaine told the Washington Post, "I don't need to respond to what some Republicans say. All I need to do is be an effective governor."

From what I have seen, that statement pretty much sums up the way he approaches certain issues. Gov. Kaine attempts to find a balance between his own personal opinions and the law of the land, while doing what he believes is best for Virginia.