New DNC chair will rally millions of Obama backers

WASHINGTON -- Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, says he wants his team to win elections but his "first goal" is to mobilize President Obama's millions of supporters behind his plans for the country.

The Obama campaign amassed 13 million names on an e-mail list that now is being "rolled into the party" for its permanent use, Kaine said in an interview Wednesday with USA TODAY. He said the huge base of supporters will be activated on health care and other issues important to the president.

"We're very focused on the notion that engagement should not just be around contributing or being part of election cycles. It should be around governance and social change," Kaine said of himself and Obama. "My first goal is to promote his agenda in a positive way."

Kaine, who was picked by Obama for the job, said he hopes to stay close to the president's unifying themes despite his partisan title. He said he felt comfortable taking the post after Obama told him that "we can't have a tone at the party that's different than the tone of national unity that I'm setting at the White House."

Some Democratic groups are pressing hard on divisive issues, such as the Service Employees International Union's push for a bill that would make it easier for workers to form unions.

Kaine said Obama's first focus must be on the "perilous" economy. "That is not going to leave Democratic constituencies grumbling," he said. "People have an understanding of the phasing of issues and you've got to tackle the big one first."

Kaine, 50, endorsed Obama in February 2007, just after he announced his candidacy, and was considered for the vice presidential slot. Barred by Virginia law from running for a second term, he is working part time at the DNC for no pay this year from Richmond while he finishes his final year as governor.

The few major elections this year include governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey. The next big campaign year is 2010, when Kaine will be out of office and able to travel.