Ever since Virginia elected the anti-death-penalty Tim Kaine as its governor four years ago, I have been concerned that in his lame-duck period he might follow the path of convicted felon George Ryan and start issuing commutations en masse. He promised not to, but politicians have been known to break promises before.

It's a good thing that DC sniper John Allen Muhammad is the first execution of Kaine's lame-duck period. If he commuted this sentence, the backlash would be enormous. If he does not, then any large scale commutations will look even more unprincipled.

Today, Kaine's office issued this press release:

"Muhammad's trial, verdict, and sentence have been reviewed by state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Virginia, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Having carefully reviewed the petition for clemency and judicial opinions regarding this case, I find no compelling reason to set aside the sentence that was recommended by the jury and then imposed and affirmed by the courts.

"Accordingly, I decline to intervene."

Good. Now just keep that up through the end of your term.