By Bob Gibson
Daily Progress political blogger
Gov. Tim Kaine, D-Richmond, raised the bar for bipartisanship at the start of the 2008 General Assembly session, causing political actions during the session to be measured anew for how well the parties work together for the public.
That means his party, newly in control in the Virginia Senate, will be judged for how well its members put partisanship to the side for the public interest. The same standard will be used to measure progress in the GOP-controlled House of Delegates.
Reporters can be a cynical lot and will see if common ground can be found on some of the more than 100 bills introduced so far that deal with immigration isssues.
“I look forward to a civil exchange of ideas, always keeping the needs of our citizens foremost in our minds,“ Kaine said in his opening televised address. “As Jefferson wrote to John Adams, ‘Truth between candid minds can never do harm.‘“
Truth and candid moments also can hurt feelings and upset people in chambers where many wear partisan stripes on their sleeves and take offense at the slightest of slights.
The General Assembly tends to be a partisan place. Bipartisanship might exercise new muscles for many.
