Fox News Channel "Fox & Friends" Interview - Transcript

Interview

MS. CARLSON: Governor Tim Kaine, the national co-chair of the Obama campaign, is among those mentioned as a possible VP pick. So what would he do with this international crisis?

Good morning to you, Governor Kaine.

GOV. KAINE: Good morning, guys. How are you?

MS. CARLSON: And we have you on the telephone. We wanted to see you live, but there was a transformer problem, so thank you so much for being cooperative with us.

GOV. KAINE: I was in the chair and the TV turned on and the satellite blew up. So something about morning faith I guess.

MR. DOOCY: Well, you've got a lot of any time minutes, so we're going to spend a few with you.

MS. CARLSON: How would you be advising Barack Obama, if in fact, you were his pick as VP, with this international crisis? Do you think his response was the right one?

GOV. KAINE: Yep, I do. And you know, I'm not running for VP, but I'll just talk about this particular issue.

I think the senator's goal was to be tough and smart. And so when the action happened on Thursday, he immediately called for a ceasefire, condemned the unwarranted use of force by Russia.

Obviously, we're all, in the world, pleased to hear this morning that President Medvedev has called for a ceasefire. And that will give the international community, with the United States playing a lead role, the ability to sit down and try to find a fair and peaceful resolution.

MR. DOOCY: Sure.

GOV. KAINE: But it was clearly unwarranted use of force by Russia, and the senator pointed that out and called for a ceasefire.

MR. DOOCY: Governor, there are some in the McCain camp who said this international crisis is great for John McCain, because it reminds people that he's got a lot of experience on the foreign policy front for decades.

GOV. KAINE: Well, it is interesting when campaign operatives jump out and say, "This crisis is great for our candidate", you've got to kind of wonder what their priorities are. It was a bad crisis for the world. It required tough words, but also a smart approach to call on the international community to step in. And I'm very, very happy that the senator's request for a ceasefire has been complied with by President Medvedev.

MR. KILMEADE: Well, Governor, you are one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party. We do want to talk to you about Virginia and other -- possibly your role at the convention -- right after this short time now.

MR. DOOCY: So sit by that transformer that just blew up and more with Governor Kaine straight ahead on "Fox & Friends".

Right back in two minutes. (Commercial break.)

MR. KILMEADE: We're back with Governor Kaine, the national co- chair of the Senator Barack Obama campaign.

Governor Kaine, how have you handled a lot of the scrutiny, a lot of the press that's come your way since your name is on the short list to be a VP for Senator Obama?

GOV. KAINE: Well, it's been flattering to be mentioned. You know, I -- and my mom liked it, but you know, my focus is really trying to be a good governor and I feel very good about what's going on in Virginia, and then also, working with the senator's campaign. And my best use is right here in Virginia, because as you guys know, Virginia is a state that normally really isn't in play in presidential politics, but the polling here makes this race a very close one. And so we're very, very engaged right here in Virginia and that is our focus.

MR. DOOCY: Sure.

Speaking of polling, Governor, national polling has shown that a majority of Americans are in favor now of offshore oil drilling. John McCain is behind that. Barack Obama has said a couple of different things. Is he for it or against it?

GOV. KAINE: As part of a comprehensive policy, Senator Obama is very open to offshore drilling and that's been our policy in Virginia as well. But the emphasis needs to be primarily on development of alternative energy sources. We're not going to drill our way out of the long-term energy crisis facing this nation and the world. And you know, just like your stockbroker or whoever tells you to diversify your portfolio, we ought to diversify our portfolio. We can't keep relying -- over relying on oil.

So that is, I think, what the real difference between the two campaigns. Senator McCain is about drilling as the principal solution and encouraging oil companies through tax cuts to do more. Senator Obama said as part of a comprehensive plan, we can look at drilling, but let's make sure we develop alternative energy sources.

MR. DOOCY: Yeah, Governor, as soon as they started talking about drilling the cost of oil went way down.

GOV. KAINE: Well, you know, you're going to see oil jump up and down, but I don't think Americans are turning handsprings about oil at 3.50, 3.60 (dollars) -- gas at 3.50, 3.60 (dollars) a gallon. I mean, it was $1.45 a gallon when President Bush came into office in 2001. So it's more than doubled.

So you're right. We all like the fact that it's dropped a little bit, but we're not going back to the old days. And America needs to find new energy sources.

MS. CARLSON: All right, Governor Tim Kaine, thank you so much for joining us. We hope to see you out at the convention in Denver.

GOV. KAINE: Look forward to it, guys. Thanks.

END.

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