Bacon's Rebellion

The LeBlanc Rejection — The House Makes a Tactical Error

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James A. Bacon
in

The House of Delegates made a major tactical error yesterday in rejecting Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s nomination of Daniel G. LeBlanc, former president of the Virginia AFL-CIO, as Secretary of the Commonwealth. As critical negotiations over transportation funding unfolds, Kaine and Taxes Axis will use the vote to tar House Republicans as intransigent and obstructionist, putting them on the public relations defensive.

We can see the Kaine/Taxes Axis strategy unfolding. The lead of Pamela Stallsmith’s front-page story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch quotes Kaine as decrying the House’s “McCarthy-style politics.” The article continues in that vein for 12 paragraphs. It’s not until the 13th paragraph that the GOP actions are briefly explained: “The vote was partly viewed as payback for perceived partisan threats by Kaine’s Chief of Staff, William H. Leighty, and the governor’s proposed plan to use campaign-like tactics to break the House’s resistance to higher taxes.”

The article proceeds with another 10 paragraphs of denunciations of the House action, and wraps up the story with a mere three paragraphs of quotes from GOP legislators.

Now, if the issue is really important — like whether or not to raise taxes by $1 billion a year — you have no choice but to hang tough. But when the issue is over who oversees the Governor’s patronage machine, LeBlanc’s opposition to the Right to Work law is irrelevant. You might feel good having voted him down, but you’ve given the Dems and the press corps a club to beat you with!

We can already see where things are heading. In an accompanying Times-Dispatch article, Del. Brian J. Moran, D-Alexandria, chairman of the House Democratic caucus, accused Republicans of being “uncompromising with respect to the budget.” We can expect this meme to be picked up and repeated endlessly in the debate to come. The fact that the Governor and Senate have been equally uncompromising doesn’t matter. What matters is that the press can be counted upon to pick up and amplify the accusation — and the House’s rejection of the LeBlanc nomination will be cited as evidence of the charge.

Update: Michael Shear with the Washington Post gives a more balanced account here. So does Warren Fiske at the Virginian-Pilot here. And the political team at the Daily Press here. All articles emphasize how angry Gov. Kaine is — justifiably, because his reaction is legitimate news — but Stallsmith comes across as carrying water for the Governor.

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7 responses to “The LeBlanc Rejection — The House Makes a Tactical Error”

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    I predict it was a tactical errror for another reason. Wait ’till you see whom Kaine puts into the position next, and wait ’till you see where Kaine places LeBlanc without the need for confirmation. Rumours are swirling about those two items. I choose not repeat the name and position; but if either comes to pass, the House GOP will have lots of egg on its face.

  2. Will Vehrs Avatar
    Will Vehrs

    Anon, Gov. Kaine could just as easily overplay his hand. If the new SOC appointee isn’t top-notch in a non-partisan way, or if Mr. LeBlanc is appointed to a position where his qualifications are not a good match, Kaine could be seen as even more spiteful and partisan than the GOP.

    We’ll see how it plays out.

  3. James Young Avatar
    James Young

    Jim, I dissent, for reasons stated elsewhere, including the fact that personnel IS policy. And I believe (for other obvious reasons) that the best way for the House GOP to defend this vote is on the policy reason. Virginians support the Right to Work law, and that was the best reason to defeat LeBlanc (I wouldn’t go after Leighty, but that’s another principle: the Governor’s Chief of Staff shouldn’t even be subject to legislative confirmation).

  4. kingfish Avatar
    kingfish

    The precedent has been set. Democratic legislatures had reservations about appointments mad by Allen and Gilmore, but recognized the right of the Executive to appoint his own team. Future Republican governors may not be so blessed.

  5. J.Sarge Avatar
    J.Sarge

    Mr. Vehrs, I think you are mistaken. You said:

    “If the new SOC appointee isn’t top-notch in a non-partisan way . . . Kaine could be seen as even more spiteful and partisan than the GOP.”

    Why should the SOC ever be seen as nonpartisan? That defeats the entire purpose of having a “Secretary of Patronage.” True, your comment goes toward perception rather than reality; I just hope you are mistaken.

  6. Will Vehrs Avatar
    Will Vehrs

    Mister J. Sarge, what I meant was someone with a record of accomplishment in a field other than just partisan or interest group politics. Certainly the SOC would be a loyal Democrat, even an active one.

  7. CG2 Avatar
    CG2

    Will:
    Laurie Naismith, Ben Dendy, Betsy Beamer, Anne Petera (RNC Member while serving), Anita Rimler … “records of accomplishment in a field other than just partisan or interest group politics”?

    Dan LeBlanc was a working guy who moved up the ladder at his union and ended up managing a rather complex and fractious organization. Advocacy was only part of his job. He is certainly more than just a partisan or interest group politico.

    What are we looking for here? The
    Secretary has no line responsibility, a small staff, and a need to know who “counts” politically … who “brung” Tim and to whom he owes a dance.

    Why should Tim have to look beyond the kind of people who have served capably and well in this job for the foreseeable past?

    If we want to talk about people who didn’t bring much to their jobs but partisan political experience, there are a lot of folks who were appointed by Jim Gilmore to line jobs with big budgets who had pretty thin resumes. Where were all you all then?

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