Special Report: U.S. presidential election 2008

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday officially named Virginia governor Tim Kaine as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, the party's top position.

    The nomination is considered a reward to Kaine, one of Obama's close friends who helped him win Virginia, a key battleground in the 2008 presidential elections.

    Kaine, 50, was once widely considered a potential candidate to be Obama's vice-presidential running mate.

    "He understands that while politics is tough and we need to fight hard for ideals and our values, we also need to work together to solve our common problems," Obama told a news conference at the DNC headquarters in Washington.

    Obama described Kaine as a "progressive problem-solver" who has improved traffic, schools and other facilities for Virginia residents, and also the right person to "remake the Democratic Party to better meet the challenges of the 21st century."

    In his first speech as nominee, Kaine said he would be "a passionate and positive promoter" of Obama's agenda and to "carry a proud banner for a proud party."

    "We're not the ideologues, the obstructionists, the gridlock folks. We're the problem solvers," he said.

    Kaine is currently in his second term as governor, which will expire in January 2010.

    If approved by the Democratic National Committee on Jan. 21, Kaine will replace the current chairman, Howard Dean, and will retain his governor post.