Kaine pledges ‘energy and enthusiasm’ at inauguration

“How far Virginia has come since we last gathered for an inauguration in Williamsburg!” Gov. Tim Kaine told Virginians during his inaugural address in Colonial Williamsburg. Kaine, Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell were sworn into the commonwealth’s highest offices Saturday, Jan. 14.

The first such ceremony held in Williamsburg since Thomas Jefferson’s in 1779, the day celebrated as the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. Extensive renovations to the Capitol in Richmond compelled the move.

The General Assembly convened in the Colonial Capitol before taking their seats behind the lectern. Grandstands across the street held nearly 4,000 invited guests, many of whom donned ponchos when the skies turned during the rain-or-shine event.

Historical reenactors playing Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson spoke to the crowd before the swearing in by Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leroy Rountree Hassell Sr.

Each man’s wife held the Bible for her husband during the oath. Kaine, Lt. Gov. Bolling and Attorney General McDonnell braved the rain in elaborate morning suits.

Former Gov. Mark Warner and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath County) won applause from the crowd. Deeds lost the attorney general’s race to McDonnell by only 360 votes out of 1.94 million cast.

Kaine’s 15-minute speech tied together Virginia’s past and future prosperity but held off on specific plans.

“With the support of God and my family, I pledge my energy and enthusiasm to the mission of serving this commonwealth,” Kaine began. He expounded on the principles of community, courage and opportunity as the hallmarks of success.

“Throughout Virginia’s history, we have succeeded only when we have welcomed all to the table of Thanksgiving,” he said.

The new governor spoke of a nonpartisan agenda based around moving education from competence to excellence, finding solutions to the transportation dilemma and protecting the environment.

“Let us remember that civility is not a sign of weakness – that cooperation and compromise are necessary for progress and for the sensible solutions we can all embrace to keep the promise of Virginia strong,” Kaine said.

A portion of the address promising inclusion and fairness for all Virginians was read in Spanish, which drew applause from the grandstands.

Following Kaine’s speech, the families rode down Duke of Gloucester Street in horse-drawn open carriages to the grandstand for the parade.

The downpour kept many at bay, but those on hand saw groups including the Daniel Boone Wilderness Society, the American Association of Retired Persons of Virginia, and numerous middle, high school and university marching bands.