Kaine installed as new DNC leader

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was officially installed as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee Wednesday in Washington.

Kaine, speaking at the DNC's Winter Meeting, said he would continue the "50-state" strategy pioneered by his predecessor, Howard Dean, which political analysts say played a big role in the successful campaign of President Barack Obama.

"The 50-state strategy is now and forever what Democrats do," Kaine said. "The results speak for themselves. I'll oversimplify: everybody matters. Every state, every region, every community matters."

Kaine also told Democrats that his stewardship of the party would be marked by a less ideological tone than that of the often combative Dean, saying, "We're the problem solvers, not the ideologues … In Virginia, our political success has been directly related to the success we've made in governance."

Kaine said he hoped "to do three things: I want to promote this president's agenda. I want to carry the proud banner of a proud party. And I want to work to creatively engage citizens in new ways to be active in civic life through this party."