Kaine Shifts Positions Whenever The Political Winds Start Blowing In A New Direction

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TOP TAKEAWAYS

Since Clinton put him on the Democrat ticket, Tim Kaine has been channeling his running mate's penchant for politically expedient flip flops to hew more closely with his party's liberal base.

FLIP FLOP #1: Kaine recently told activists he supports banning offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast despite being a strong advocate for offshore drilling for years.

FLIP FLOP #2: Kaine will now back Clinton's efforts to make taxpayers pay for abortions despite claiming he was "traditionally a supporter of the Hyde Amendment" and denying he is shifting positions.

FLIP FLOP #3: Kaine was Pro-Life. Now he supports abortion.

FLIP FLOP #4: Kaine backed off his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership even though he once attacked opponents of the trade deal as losers.

FLIP FLOP #5: Kaine backed off his support for Right to Work laws he once "strongly" supported.

FLIP FLOP #6: Kaine went from being opposed to gay marriage to championing it.

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FLIP FLOP #1: KAINE BACKED OFF HIS SUPPORT FOR OFFSHORE DRILLING IN THE ATLANTIC

At A Campaign Event On August 15th, Tim Kaine Told Environmental Activists That He Supported A Ban On Offshore Drilling In The Atlantic. "Over the weekend, @timkaine joined @HillaryClinton in support of a ban on offshore drilling in the Atlantic." (350 Action, Twitter Feed, 8/15/16)

(350 Action, Twitter Feed, 8/15/16)

Kaine Has Long Been A Strong Advocate For Offshore Drilling In The Atlantic

Kaine Previously Joined Virginia's Other Democrat Senator Mark Warner And The State's Democrat Governor Terry McAuliffe In Supporting Atlantic Offshore Drilling. "A coalition of groups that oppose Atlantic drilling had organized protests and petitions in southeastern and mid-Atlantic states, often running into opposition from governors and other political leaders. Republican governors in North and South Carolina back drilling off their states' coasts, as does the Democratic governor of Virginia. The state's two Democratic senators also support drilling." (Matthew Daly, "US Bars Atlantic Drilling; Obama Builds Environmental Legacy," The Associated Press , 3/15/16)

In 2013, Kaine And Warner Co-Introduced Legislation To Lift The Moratorium On Offshore Drilling. "U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine introduced legislation Wednesday that would lift the federal ban on exploration and drilling for natural gas and oil off the coast of Virginia. The moratorium, which lasts through 2017, was put in place by President Barack Obama's administration following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Warner and Kaine want the moratorium lifted so that decades old maps of Virginia's offshore energy resources can be updated and leases for offshore gas and oil drilling as well as wind farms can go into effect in 2020." (Todd Allen Wilson, "Sens. Warner, Kaine Hope To End Offshore Drilling Ban," Daily Press, 5/22/13)

In 2007, Then-Governor Kaine Wanted To Expand Offshore Drilling After Exploration Off The Coast Of Virginia. "Kaine's plan addresses the possibility of natural gas reserves off the coast of Virginia, but does not change his administration's previous position on offshore drilling: that only exploration should be allowed at this time before leases are sold to allow actual drilling and production." (Patrick Lynch, "Kaine Pushes Conservation In His Virginia Energy Plan," Daily Press [Newport News, VA], 9/13/07)

FLIP FLOP #2: KAINE HAS CHANGED HIS POSITION ON THE HYDE AMENDMENT, NOW SAYING HE WILL PUSH FOR ITS REPEAL

On July 24th, Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook Indicated Kaine Would Stand With Clinton To "Defend A Woman's Right To Choose, To Repeal The Hyde Amendment." CNN's JAKE TAPPER: "On the subject of Planned Parenthood and abortion rights, take a listen to Tim Kaine during a campaign. This is a radio ad from 2005." KAINE (AUDIO CLIP): "I support restrictions on abortion, parental consent for minors, a ban on partial-birth abortion, no public funding of abortions. Those are my values and that's what I believe." TAPPER: "Those are his values, at least in 2005. Those are not Secretary Clinton's values." MOOK: "Well, that - first of all, that was over 10 years ago. I think what's important is to look at his record in the Senate. He had a 100 percent voting record with Planned Parenthood and other -- the National Abortion Rights Action League as well. And he has said that he will stand with Secretary Clinton to defend a woman's right to choose, to repeal the Hyde amendment. So, you know, voters can be 100 percent confident that Tim Kaine is going to fight to protect a woman's right to choose." TAPPER: "So, his values have changed on that issue?" MOOK: "That was over 10 years ago. I can't, you know, comment on that ad, but voters can be 100 percent confident because of that 100 percent voting record with Planned Parenthood during his time in the Senate." (CNN's " State Of The Union," 7/24/16)

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Clinton Spokesman Jesse Ferguson And Kaine Spokeswoman Amy Dudley Also Confirmed Kaine's Private Support To Repeal The Hyde Amendment. "Democratic vice-presidential pick Tim Kaine has privately told nominee Hillary Clinton he will support repeal of the Hyde Amendment, a 1976 provision that bans the use of federal dollars for abortion services, Clinton spokesman Jesse Ferguson and Kaine spokeswoman Amy Dudley said Tuesday." (Sahil Kapur, "Clinton Running Mate Kaine Endorses Repeal Of Hyde Amendment On Abortion," Bloomberg , 7/26/16)

Earlier In July, Kaine Claimed He Was "Traditionally A Supporter Of The Hyde Amendment"

In A July 6th Interview With The Weekly Standard Kaine Claimed He Has "Traditionally Been A Supporter Of The Hyde Amendment." "According to a draft released last week by the Democratic National Committee, the 2016 Democratic platform will for the first time explicitly call for unlimited taxpayer funding of elective abortions for Medicaid recipients. 'We will continue to oppose - and seek to overturn - federal and state laws and policies that impede a woman's access to abortion, including by repealing the Hyde Amendment,' reads the draft of the Democratic platform. The Hyde amendment is a measure attached annually to legislation that prevents federal funding of abortion for Medicaid recipients except in cases when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. … Calling for the repeal of the Hyde amendment could put some pro-choice Democrats in an uncomfortable position. 'I haven't been informed of that change, but I'm going to check it out,' Virginia senator Tim Kaine, a potential running mate for Hillary Clinton, told TWS on Wednesday. 'I have traditionally been a supporter of the Hyde amendment, but I'll check it out.'" (John McCormack, "Democratic Senator Says Proposed Democratic Platform On Abortion Is 'Crazy,'" The Weekly Standard , 7/6/16)

In 2005, Kaine: "I Support Restrictions On Abortion, Parental Consent For Minors, A Ban On Partial Birth Abortion, No Public Funding Of Abortions. Those Are My Values, And That's What I Believe." TIM KAINE: "My Christian faith teaches life is sacred. I personally oppose abortion and the death penalty. But I take my oath of office as seriously as my marriage. I'll carry out a death sentence because that's the law. I support restrictions on abortion, parental consent for minors, a ban on partial birth abortion, no public funding of abortions. Those are my values, and that's what I believe." ("Weak," Kaine For Governor , 5/20/05)

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FLIP FLOP #3: KAINE BACKED AWAY FROM HIS PRO-LIFE POSITIONS

When Running For Governor, Kaine Asserted That He Was Conservative On The Sanctity Of Life

In 2005, Kaine Ran An Ad Entitled “Conservative,” Saying “I’m Conservative On … The Sanctity Of Life.” TIM KAINE: “The Bible teaches we can accomplish great things when we work together. I'm Tim Kaine and I've devoted my life to bringing people together to get things done. … I’m against same-sex marriage. I'm conservative on personal responsibility, character, family and the sanctity of life. These are my values, and that's what I believe.” (“Conservative,” Kaine For Governor , 4/25/05)

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Kaine: “I Support Restrictions On Abortion, Parental Consent For Minors, A Ban On Partial Birth Abortion, No Public Funding Of Abortions. Those Are My Values, And That’s What I Believe.” TIM KAINE: “My Christian faith teaches life is sacred. I personally oppose abortion and the death penalty. But I take my oath of office as seriously as my marriage. I’ll carry out a death sentence because that’s the law. I support restrictions on abortion, parental consent for minors, a ban on partial birth abortion, no public funding of abortions. Those are my values, and that’s what I believe.” (“Weak,” Kaine For Governor , 5/20/05)

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In 2005, Kaine Ran An Ad Entitled "Ban," In Which He Talked About His Pro-Life Beliefs And Efforts. "I'm Tim Kaine. I'm running for Governor, and I'm not afraid to tell you where I stand. … I oppose gay marriage, I support restrictions on abortion, no public funding and parental consent, and I worked to pass a state law banning partial birth abortion." (“Ban,” Kaine For Governor , 6/10/05)

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The Virginia Chapter Of NARAL Pro-Choice America Declined To Endorse A Candidate In The 2005 Gubernatorial Campaign, Citing The Fact That Kaine "Embraces Many Of The Restrictions On A Woman's Right To Choose That Are Opposed By NARAL." "The Virginia chapter of NARAL Pro-Choice America said Tuesday that it will not endorse any candidate in this fall's governor's race, citing a lack of support for abortion rights among the two leading candidates. The group endorsed Democrats for lieutenant governor, attorney general and most delegate races but said Democratic Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine failed to earn its backing for governor because of his support for some abortion restrictions. The group condemned Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry W. Kilgore as an 'extremely anti-choice' candidate, and it charged that he would sign legislation to criminalize abortion and restrict access to contraceptives if given the chance. 'Tim Kaine . . . has said he would not sign such legislation, but he embraces many of the restrictions on a woman's right to choose that are opposed by NARAL,' the group's statement said. 'We cannot therefore offer any endorsement in this year's race for governor.' The statement went on to say that despite the group's concerns about Kaine's positions, 'we see more hope for the women of Virginia in Kaine's candidacy.'" (Michael D. Shear, "Abortion Rights Group In Va. Skips Gubernatorial Endorsement," The Washington Post, 8/17/05)

When He Ran For Senate In 2012, However, Kaine Championed The Pro-Choice Cause

During His 2012 Senate Campaign, Kaine Explained He Has Moral Objections To Abortion And Supports Restrictions But Opposes Criminalization Of The Procedure, Which He Said Was A Point That Distinguished Him From His Republican Opponent. "Abortion, another perennial issue, prompts Kaine to say he has moral objections to it and supports restrictions, such as parental-consent laws and a prohibition on partial-birth abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger. And he is all for making abortions rarer through promotion of adoption and similar steps. Yet Kaine, a Catholic, said he is not for criminalizing women if they choose abortion and doesn't think government has the right to interject itself in such decisions. And this is another point that clearly separates him from Allen, his potential Republican opponent, Kaine noted. 'He believes abortion should be criminalized, and I do not.'" (Mary Ann Barton, "Is Democrat Tim Kaine The 'Can-Do' Candidate For U.S. Senate?" Reston Patch, 9/11/13)

"When Asked How That Squares With His Faith, Kaine Reflected On How He Had A Good Relationship With Virginia's Catholic Bishops While Governor And Can't Imagine They Would Want To Criminalize Such Women, Either." (Mary Ann Barton, "Is Democrat Tim Kaine The 'Can-Do' Candidate For U.S. Senate?" Reston Patch, 9/11/13)

Democrats For Life Of America Rescinded Its Endorsement Of Kaine In The 2012 Senate Race After He Launched An Ad Campaign Criticizing His Republican Opponent's Pro-Life Views. "Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) has pulled its endorsement of Tim Kaine, U.S. Senate candidate from Virginia, as Kaine launched an attack ad blitz criticizing his opponent, George Allen, for holding pro-life views. The ad features a woman facing the camera as a voiceover says: 'This is Virginia. George Allen would restrict her choices.' The ad says Allen 'would take away her Constitutional rights by reversing Roe V. Wade.'" (Kirsten Andersen, "Democrats For Life Rescinds Endorsement Of Pro-Choice Senate Candidate Tim Kaine," LifeSiteNews.com, 10/26/12)

In October 2012, Kaine Began Airing An Ad Suggesting His Republican Opponent George Allen Would Restrict Women's Access To Abortion And Birth Control. "Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen are airing new TV ads making their closing arguments for election to the U.S. Senate. PolitiFact Virginia has previously examined many of the claims in the commercials and we'd like to share our findings. We'll start today with a Kaine ad that criticizes Allen for being insensitive to women on birth control and abortion." (Sean Gorman, "Ad Watch: Kaine Attacks Allen On Abortion And Birth Control," PolitiFact, 10/25/12)

After Kaine Was Elected To The Senate, David Nova Wrote In A Roanoke Times Editorial That Kaine Won In Part Because Of His "Strong Positions On Women's Health." "'Planned Parenthood' and 'women's health care' have been touted favorably on post-election lists of winners and losers. That's no surprise. President Obama and Sen.-elect Tim Kaine won in great part because of their strong positions on women's health. Both ran spirited campaigns in Virginia characterizing the stark dichotomy between their positions on women's issues and that of their Republican opponents." (David Nova, Op-Ed, "Partisan Trends Threaten Women's Health Care," The Roanoke Times, 11/25/12)

"Nova Is Director Of Strategic Initiatives For The Planned Parenthood Health Systems Action Fund In Roanoke." (David Nova, Op-Ed, "Partisan Trends Threaten Women's Health Care," The Roanoke Times, 11/25/12)

FLIP FLOP #4: KAINE BACKED OFF HIS SUPPORT FOR TPP

On July 23rd, Following His Selection As Clinton's Running Mate, Kaine Decided To Oppose The Trans-Pacific Partnership. "Sen. Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton's running mate, has gone on record saying he cannot support the Trans-Pacific Partnership in its current form- a stance calculated to make him more appealing to supporters of Bernie Sanders who revile the deal. Kaine spokeswoman Amy Dudley said Saturday that the Virginia Democrat shared his negative views on the trade deal with Clinton this week, confirming a report by The Washington Post. 'He agreed with her judgment that it fell short' when it came to protecting wages and national security, a Clinton aide reportedly told the newspaper." (Doug Palmer, "Kaine Comes Out Against Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Deal," Politico, 7/23/16)

Kaine Supported TPA And Has Attacked Opponents Of Free Trade Agreements As "Losers"

On June 24th, Sen. Kaine Voted For Trade Promotion Authority. (H.R. 2146, Roll Call Vote #219 : Adopted 60-38: R 47-5, D 13-31, I 0-2, 6/24/15, Kaine Voted Yay)

The TPA Vote "Greatly Increas[ed] Obama's Chances Of Concluding Negotiations On The TPP." "Fast-track, or trade promotion authority, will allow the White House to send trade deals to Congress for up-or-down votes. The Senate will not be able to filibuster them, and lawmakers will not have the power to amend them. The expedited process, which lasts until 2018 and can be extended until 2021, greatly increases Obama's chances of concluding negotiations on the TPP, which is a top goal of the president's." (Alexander Bolton, "Senate Approves Fast-Track, Sending Trade Bill To White House," The Hill, 6/24/15)

In 2007, Kaine Attacked Opponents Of Free Trade For Promoting A "Loser's Mentality." "Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine, parting with some fellow Democrats, said he's 'passionate' about strengthening global-trade ties and that those advocating protectionism have a 'loser's mentality.'" (Scott Lanman, "Virginia's Kaine Warns Democrats Protectionism Is A 'Loser,'" Bloomberg, 5/30/07)

Kaine Attacked Opponents Of NAFTA And CAFTA, Saying "This Is Something I Feel Really Passionate About." "Without identifying him, Kaine cited the views of Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, who was quoted in the New York Times last year as saying of free-trade agreements: 'I was a critic of NAFTA, I was a critic of CAFTA and I'll be a critic of SHAFTA.' 'I always laugh when I hear that, but I really think that it's wrong,' Kaine said. 'This is something I feel really passionate about.'" (Scott Lanman, "Virginia's Kaine Warns Democrats Protectionism Is A 'Loser,'" Bloomberg, 5/30/07)

​​ FLIP FLOP #5: KAINE BACKED OFF HIS SUPPORT FOR RIGHT TO WORK

In August 2016, Kaine Told The AFL-CIO Executive He Opposed Right To Work. "Tim Kaine told the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Wednesday that he opposed right to work, prompting AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to tweet that Kaine 'reaffirmed his commitment 2 fight 4 working families & against bad laws like #righttowork.' That word 'reaffirmed' suggested Kaine previously opposed right-to-work. That's not quite right." (Marianne Levine and Cogan Schneier, "Kaine Flip Flops On Right-To-Work," Politico, 8/4/16)

Previously, Kaine "Strongly" Supported Right To Work

In 2006, Kaine Said He "Strongly Support[s]" The Right-To-Work Law. "House GOPers rejected Gov. Tim Kaine's (D) nominee for Commonwealth Sec., the 1st time a nominee has been rejected since the Cabinet system was created in the '70s. After the Senate unanimously approved ex-AFL-CIO Pres. Daniel LeBlanc, the House voted 55-42 'along party lines' to reject him. House GOPers feared LeBlanc's ties to unions and his opposition to VA's 59-year-old right-to-work law. Kaine 'said he has tried to be bipartisan, noting that' 2 ex-GOP Reps. 'serve in his Cabinet' and that 'he appointed' Marty Kilgore, wife of his GOV opponent ex-AG Jerry Kilgore (R), as VA Tobacco Settlement Foundation dir. (Bellantoni, Washington Times, 3/8). Kaine: 'The Secretary of the Commonwealth has no - I repeat, no - role in the enforcement of Virginia's right-to-work law, a law I strongly support.'" ("The Fly-By," The Hotline, 3/10/06)

"Kaine Has Supported Virginia's Right-To-Work Law Since He Ran For Governor In 2005, And His Campaign Says That Position Has Not Changed." (Ben Pershing, "As GOP Pounces, Kaine Weighs In On Boeing Labor Dispute," The Washington Post's Virginia Politics Blog, The Washington Post , Posted 6/29/11)

(Ben Pershing, "As GOP Pounces, Kaine Weighs In On Boeing Labor Dispute," The Washington Post's Virginia Politics Blog, The Washington Post , Posted 6/29/11) Kaine Found Himself Hamstrung When Supporting Progressive Labor Actions Given His Support For Virginia's Right To Work Law. "Perhaps no Democrat is put in a more uncomfortable position than Kaine. He can't speak against the board because he supported pro-union rallies in Wisconsin earlier this year as DNC chair. But he can't back the Machinists lawsuit either because he very publicly supported Virginia's right-to-work law when he governed the state." (Caitlin Huey-Burns, " Labor Battle At Center Of Virginia Senate Race ," Real Clear Politics, 7/7/11)

FLIP FLOP #6: KAINE BACKED OFF HIS OPPOSITION TO GAY MARRIAGE

When Running For Lieutenant Governor And Again When Running For Governor Of Virginia, Kaine Openly Proclaimed His Disapproval Of Gay Marriage

When Kaine's Lt. Gov. Opponent Accused Of Him Of Supporting Gay Marriage, Kaine Replied "That He Has Never Countenanced Homosexual Marriage." "Katzen also contended that Kaine supports homosexual marriage and would rather make room for homosexual groups to use public-school facilities in Richmond than the Boy Scouts. Kaine replied that he was once a Boy Scout and his children are Scouts and that he has never countenanced homosexual marriage. 'I've only advocated that people not get kicked out of their apartments or lose their jobs because of who they are,' he said." (Peter Savodnik, "Kaine, Katzen Clash On Issues; Both Oppose Legalized Pot," Richmond Times Dispatch, 8/29/01)

In 2005, Kaine Ran An Ad Entitled “Ban,” In Which He Asserted “I Oppose Gay Marriage.” “I’m Tim Kaine. I’m running for Governor, and I’m not afraid to tell you where I stand. … I oppose gay marriage, I support restrictions on abortion, no public funding and parental consent, and I worked to pass a state law banning partial birth abortion.” (“Ban,” Kaine For Governor , 6/10/05)

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Now Kaine Would Like Us To Believe He Is Entirely In Favor Of Gay Marriage

In 2013, Kaine Came Out In Favor Of Gay Marriage. "Like Clinton, Kaine has only relatively recently become an ardent supporter of same-sex marriage. He did not announce that he officially supported the legal rights of gay couples who wanted to marry until 2013." (Ryan Nobles, "Tim Kaine's Bishop Responds To Gay Marriage Comments," CNN, 9/14/16)

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