Can Tim Kaine focus on the more important issues at hand, please?

Tim Kaine was in Virginia Beach yesterday where launched a second attempt at getting legislation passed that would ban smoking in all restaurants and night clubs in the Commonwealth. According to an article in the Pilot Online, Kaine spoke at the Hot Tuna Bar & Grill, a smoke-free restaurant on Shore Drive.

Flanked by lawmakers who said they will sponsor smoking-ban bills this year, Kaine made the announcement at Hot Tuna Bar & Grill, a smoke-free restaurant on Shore Drive.

“This year, we can make a meaningful resolution that we’re going to live healthier,” he said.

The proposal, which came two days before the start of this year’s General Assembly session, probably will spark “healthy debate” among legislators, said Del. Kenny Alexander, D-Norfolk. Alexander said he would support a compromise such as allowing people to light up after posted nonsmoking hours.

A bad choice of venue if you ask me. A more convincing picture may have been one with the governor in some smokey saloon coughing up a lung. The fact that he was in an already smoke free restaurant just drives home the point I tried to make yesterday when I said the Governor should leave it up to restaurant owners to decide whether or not they want their business to be smoke free, especially in the case of night clubs and bars.