THE VIRGINIA governor's race is slowly starting to heat up between Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Jerry Kilgore, as both candidates recently have spoken up on their views of the death penalty. In a state in which (according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch) a large majority of Virginians support the death penalty, opposition to the punishment is seen as a major weakness in winning. While negative ads on this issue have been more unjust within the Republican stronghold, in this hotly contested capital punishment arena, both candidates wind up short in their message.
The Kilgore campaign has been more vitriolic with their ads about capital punishment. According to the Times-Dispatch, one ad depicts Arlington resident Stanley Rosenbluth angrily condemning Kaine for doing his job defending the killer of Rosenbluth's son and daughter-in-law. In an emotional testimonial, Rosenbluth states, "Tim Kaine says that Adolf Hitler doesn't qualify for the death penalty. This was the worst mass murderer in modern times." Additionally, Kilgore has repeatedly attacked Kaine's previous record as a defense trial lawyer advocating against the death penalty for criminals.
The Kaine campaign has immediately attacked these despicable and ill-informed ads. Kaine himself has publicly signed a petition supporting the death penalty of Hitler, according to The Washington Post. Additionally, Kaine's work as a defense attorney shows his understanding that every criminal must be represented, no matter how heinous the crime.
If nothing else, Kilgore's attack on Kaine's outstanding public service shows Kilgore's own inability to comprehend what defense attorneys offer to those who need it the most. Just because a defense attorney appeals a death penalty case does not imply that the attorney does not support the death penalty; all crimes require serious evaluation before supporting an irreversible punishment. The Washington Post reported conservative lawyers such as Chief Justice John Roberts, Kenneth Starr and Bush's failed D.C. circuit court of appeals nominee Miguel Estrada have all aided death penalty appeals.
While the Kaine camp has been rightly repudiating these wild statements from the new Kilgore advertisements, their own message is not much improved. Citing his Catholic roots, Kaine does not morally believe in the death penalty, stating in a question and answer session with the Times-Dispatch that "God grants life, and God should take it away." Additionally, Kaine has flimsily proclaimed he supports capital punishment because "it's the law" in a reactionary ad to Kilgore's attacks. However, if elected, he would enforce the death penalty for convicted criminal acts.
Kaine's message is hypocritical -- in essence, he is saying that he will not support the death penalty except when it brings him votes, since as governor he would have the ability to put a moratorium on or even support a legislative ban on the death penalty in Virginia. However, by stating that he would continue the Virginia death penalty as a punishment, he has become a de facto capital punishment supporter. A moral obligation against the death penalty is not enough of a battle against it. Kaine has made his decision that he will uphold the death penalty -- he must stick with that message while downplaying his moral objections. Actions speak louder than words, and Kaine must be more direct in his support. Conversely, if he is truly against the death penalty, he should actively display his opposition to the cause, despite the voter backlash, and openly state that he would not support the practice in Virginia. Kaine must learn that he can't have his cake and eat it too.
It is time for both candidates to stop attacking each other on the death penalty since both candidates reach the same conclusion -- that the death penalty will be enforced. Both candidates are lacking in their approach to capital punishment, even though they both have conveyed their message. Additionally, there are many contentious issues within capital punishment that neither candidate has actively spoken out their opinion, such as the disproportionate number of minorities on death row -- a serious issue that should be better addressed for Virginia voters. If both candidates' responses to the death penalty result in mudslinging and vague responses, voters will show their lack of enthusiasm on Nov. 8.
Adam Silverberg is a Cavalier Daily Viewpoint writer.
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