Actually, Kaine has less than 3 years as governor at this point. He was lieutenant governor for 4 years, but that’s a largely ceremonial job.
I suspect that Obama went to two or three of the top picks...and they declined...either with a history they didn’t want uncovered or playing second fiddle to Obama. As for Kaine...he is a virtual unknown throughout the south, and this would not gain a single point. I doubt that this would help in carrying Virginia. If you put Kaine up against Mitt Romney....Romney wins hands down on debate talents.
Lieutenant governor in Virginia is ENTIRELY ceremonial, this is due in part to the fact that the governor and lieutenant governor are often members of different parties. The executive power is with the governor and the attorney general (who is also elected).
Yeah, but they both have loads of superficial charm. And for dems, that's a biggie.