Tim Kaine: Virginia’s ending the death penalty shows other states how to do the same - The Washington Post

Tim Kaine: Virginia’s ending the death penalty shows other states how to do the same - The Washington Post:  As I read Senator Kaine's essay I was surprised to learn that he - a former defender in capital cases (and  veteran of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps) - had, while Governor, allowed executions to go forward despite his personal opposition.  Why?  

Could he not have imposed a moratorium?  Virginia Governors serve only one term.  Was he looking forward to running for Senate? Is his acquiescence any different than the New Jersey trial judges and state Supreme Court Justices who acquiesced in the people's legislative will but rigorously reviewed every case?  Employing what Justice John Wallace called "super due process" the New Jersey Supreme Court effectively blocked executions for twenty five years.