In my most recent column, “It’s the Global Economy, Stupid,” I chastised Tim Kaine and Jerry Kilgore for failing to acknowledge the importance of Virginia’s economic competitiveness in the global arena. Specifically, I stated: “Unfortunately, not one candidate for statewide office has demonstrated in public statements even a passing familiarity with the book [“The World is Flat”] or the economic trends that it documents.”
Larry Roberts, chairman of the Kaine for Governor campaign, has informed me that I am quite mistaken. He says:
Tim Kaine read the book earlier this year, has mentioned it in a number of speeches, and regularly talks about the need to move our education policies beyond competence to excellence because of the challenges of the global economy and, specifically, the resources countries such as India and China are devoting to education – especially in science and math. He talked specifically about the importance of education in addressing competition from Bangalore and Shanghai in the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce debate with Jerry Kilgore. He also talks consistently about the global links Virginia has (envied by other states) in Dulles Airport (from where one can easily reach virtually every continent) and the Port of Hampton Roads.
In his favor, Kaine also talks about reforming land use, an important theme in my column. But he’s on the wrong side of the tax debate. Oh, well, two out of three ain’t bad.
My apologies to Mr. Kaine. I made an assumption, it was incorrect, and I am happy to correct any misperception I created. Now, if only we could get Virginia’s political reporters and editorial writers to pick up on the theme….
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