Kaine also outlined an approach that would be very consistent with Obama’s bottom-up campaign style, with an emphasis on small donors and a rejection of slash-and-burn politics. This is in stark contrast to the mess over at the RNC.

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will become chairman of the Democratic National Committee later this month, serving as the top political messenger for Barack Obama’s administration even while finishing his final year in the governor’s mansion, several sources said.

Kaine, 50, who emerged as a finalist for the job of Obama’s running mate last summer, will operate from Richmond in a part-time capacity until January 2010, when he will become the full-time DNC chairman. Kaine is constitutionally barred from running for reelection.

Kaine, a friend of the president-elect’s, is a gregarious chief executive who is known to relish political combat and helped put Virginia in the Democratic presidential election column for the first time in almost 50 years.

Kaine would have been great in Obama’s cabinet, but it was important that he serve out his term as governor. This allows him to to become involved in moving Obama’s agenda while serving out his term. He’s an excellent surrogate for Obama and the Democrats and he’ll be an important asset as the Obama team rolls out new policies. He knows his stuff and he’s great on TV. He looks even better when compared to the circus at the RNC.

At some point, I expect him to take a larger role in Obama’s administration after the 2010 elections.