To whom is Kaine loyal?

Distant are the days when Gov. Timothy M. Kaine whisked across the commonwealth in the empyreal embrace of Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy, or what may be called America’s Third Great Awakening, a time, like the second, when women swooned, spirits waxed euphoric and reason rested. His hopes of landing on the ticket with Obama cast into a state budget chasm, Kaine today plays out strings while muddy water seeps under the door. Now he hopes only to avoid getting wet.

Two weeks ago, Lemuel C. Stewart Jr., Virginia’s chief information officer, did a terrible thing, at least from the dim perspective of political advisability. He raised questions about technology giant Northrop Grumman’s performance in a privatization deal with the state. Stewart, the crazy devil, wanted to know why Northrop can’t meet its contractual obligations in a deal that pays the company $2.3 billion over 10 years. Leonard M. “Len” Pomata, Kaine’s secretary of technology, wanted to know why Stewart couldn’t stifle himself.

So Stewart was promptly dispatched to the curb, fired by the Virginia Information Technology Agency’s ruling board and replaced with – hey, imagine that! – Pomata. Then came Kaine to report that “We’ve been very happy with Northrop Grumman as a partner.” What’s not to love? Northrop delays have driven VITA $6.3 million into the red, computerized prescription records recently were hacked and Northrop treats some deadlines like blind dates (it can’t be bothered meeting them).

Well, here’s something. Northrop donated $51,000 to Kaine’s inaugural committee and $25,000 to his campaign four years ago. A defense contractor that sent seven of its executives to the Bush administration, Northrop traditionally donates heavily to Republicans but since Kaine took office has given almost as much to Democrats, including $9,000 to the party in March, two months after the governor took over as Democratic National Committee chairman and just as scrutiny of the technology contract was building.

What? Somebody sees a connection? Don’t be silly. Besides, sniffs Kaine, Northrop isn’t the problem. “Generally, the issue has been VITA management of the contractor rather than the contractor itself,” he said. Sure. That’s why state Auditor of Public Accounts Walter J. Kucharski has urged VITA to withhold payment to Northrop to prod the contractor to step to, which, funny thing, is precisely the same tack Stewart suggested before being handed a box to clean out his desk.

Others in Richmond are musing over the foul aromas. The General Assembly is investigating Stewart’s removal. The House Science and Technology Committee is examining the VITA-Northrop partnership. And Del. Samuel A. Nixon, R-Chesterfield, a sponsor of the bill that created VITA, wants the agency’s board to rescind its appointment of Pomata.

Meanwhile, the taint on Kaine’s legacy spreads. He guided the state into deficit, stubbornly dismissing warnings sounded by the opposition party, and now steps to the side of a handsomely paid corporate giant even as a record of failings grows. Northrop has few defenders in Richmond. Kaine has little cause to be among them, except for that which might taint him further.

The implications are enough that Pomata should be pulled from his post. Taxpayers need a computer czar who can be relied upon to ensure that their money will be spent wisely and contract promises are kept. The same should be expected from the governor. These are not jobs for Northrop apologists. Duty requires that Kaine recognize this, no matter who his financial supporters are.