Tim Kaine lauded Bill Clinton on the campaign trail as someone with his 'values straight' as they traveled together on a bus tour to promote the Democratic ticket.

The Virginia politician didn't always have such affection for the philandering ex-president, however, a newly unearthed interview from Kaine's local paper affirms.

Kaine told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2002 that Bill Clinton should have resigned after he copped to having a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

The Democratic vice presidential candidate confirmed Wednesday that the report was accurate but said 'there is no reason to re-litigate problems of 20 years ago.'

Tim Kaine has lauded Bill Clinton on the campaign trail as someone with his 'values straight' and showered him in boyish admiration. The Virginia politician didn't always have such affection for the philandering ex-president, however

Kaine and the Clintons are seen here in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the first leg of their three-day bus tour last month. On the tour Kaine said the Clintons are people who have their 'values straight'

However, Kaine said in 2002 that Bill should have resigned when America found out he cheated on Hillary with an intern in the Oval. Above, Kaine and Clinton converse on stage at their first joint ally

The Daily Beast on Wednesday uncovered Kaine's old remarks about Bill Clinton.

Kaine was commenting on a sexual harassment scandal involving Vance Wilkins, then the speaker of Virginia's House of Delegates. He said Wilkins should resign and Clinton should have, too, in 1998 during the Lewinsky drama.

He separately told the Associated Press, 'My reaction was the same I had when I read about the Clinton-Lewinsky affair: this is not appropriate conduct. It’s beneath the dignity of the office.'

Kaine did not disavow the comments on Wednesday when they came up during an interview with Iowa television channel KWWL.

'It was not inaccurate. That's true,' the Hillary Clinton running mate admitted.

He told the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, station, '20 years ago I was disappointed like a lot of folks were but I tell ya, there is no reason to re-litigate problems of 20 years ago when Americans want to talk about is what do we do today and tomorrow.'

'So past controversies aren't really important to the voters they want to know what we are going to do tomorrow,' Kaine said.

Kaine was not pressed in the interview that aired on KWWL to say whether he stands by his 2002 remarks.

Another Iowa television station, KCRG, did ask if he still feels that way. Kaine said, 'It was a feeling I had at the time, but now I'm thinking about what do we do to help this country be strong. Past controversies don't have anything to do with that question.'

Kaine now says, 'It was a feeling I had at the time, but now I'm thinking about what do we do to help this country be strong. Past controversies don't have anything to do with that question'

Former President Bill Clinton and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine are seen arriving on the convention floor before Hillary's speech to the DNC last month in Philadelphia

Kaine and Clinton were like old friends during a three-day bus tour after the convention to promote Hillary's candidacy at the end of July that Kaine said he and his wife Anne, back right, had a 'wonderful, wonderful time' completing with the former first couple

The Virginia senator's spokeswoman Amy Dudley told the Daily Beast that it was true 'Kaine characterized President Clinton’s actions as "not appropriate" conduct, but he had previously been on record criticizing the impeachment effort.'

'He believes this election is about Hillary Clinton’s vision to make historic investments to create good paying jobs, make college debt free and build an economy that works for everyone, not re-litigating personal issues from the distant past,' she said.

To Bill Clinton's face, Kaine has offered him boyish admiration.

They were like old friends during a three-day bus tour to promote Hillary's candidacy at the end of July that Kaine said he and his wife had a 'wonderful, wonderful time' completing with the former first couple.

'How great is this to be campaigning with President Clinton?' Kaine said at a Youngstown, Ohio rally, 'I mean – I started my career in elected office 22 years ago, and I’ve learned more on the bus in the last eight hours – about politics than I’ve learned in 22 years.'

To Bill Clinton's face, Kaine has offered him boyish admiration. At a stop on the bus tour, Kaine complimented his new boss and her husband, saying, 'She's got just about the best life partner that you could imagine if you're trying to serve others'

At a stop in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that weekend, Kaine complimented his new boss and her husband, saying, 'She's got just about the best life partner that you could imagine if you're trying to serve others.

'Please give a great round of applause to President Clinton,' he told his audience at the private event that press were also allowed in to.

Kaine said, 'For all of us on stage and frankly for anybody who's got their values straight, it's not about title, it is not about money, it is not about prestige, it's not about popularity it's about what you can do to help folks out.

'And that's why I'm so excited to be here on this tour with Hillary, Bill and my wife Anne.