In a Virginia US Senate debate, moderated by David Gregory of NBC News, Democrat nominee and former Governor Tim Kaine echoed sentiments he attempted to legislate as Virginia’s Governor, that people don’t pay enough taxes. As Governor, he proposed nearly $4 billion in higher taxes.

During the debate, David Gregory asked Tim Kaine about his thoughts on making the so-called “47 percent” pay more in federal taxes. A clip for the questions and answers can be seen here.

Gregory: “Do you believe everyone in Virginia should pay something in federal income taxes?”

Kaine: “Everyone pays taxes.”

Gregory: “But federal income taxes?”

Kaine: “I would be open to a proposal that would have some minimum tax level for everyone.”

This may come as no surprise to those who remember Kaine’s annual plea with the Virginia General Assembly that they raise taxes and fees by billions of dollars.

“Governor Kaine is notorious for asking Virginians to pay more in taxes and fees. His annual pleas with the General Assembly should give Virginians even more evidence about the kind of proposals Kaine will support if he is their next Senator,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.  “Waging a ‘who pays what’ minimum tax war on the 47 percent is not a viable solution to getting Washington’s fiscal house in order.”

“To declare that you would support a minimum level of federal taxation is to admit that you not only intend on eliminating many tax credits and deductions, but that you support raising taxes on millions of low and middle class Americans,” continued Norquist.

[PDF of Press Release]