The Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and Governor of Virginia outlined his goals for the Democratic party Saturday morning at the College Democrats of America national convention, which is being held on GW’s Foggy Bottom campus this weekend.

Gov. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who became the chair of the Democratic National Committee in January, said he wanted to organize the party around changing policy issues, such as health care and the environment, instead of “just one election on one day.” Expanding the party’s grassroots politics, he said, would be the best way to implement this new organization.

“Small donors really matter,” he said. “We want to continue to keep these people engaged.” He encouraged audience members to be active in their own neighborhoods, in order to strengthen the reach of the Democratic party.

Kaine said he was also focused on health care reform, citing it as one of the Obama administration’s primary issues. He said that expanding health care coverage would be a challenge, but it was necessary for the country to address it.

“The status quo isn’t working,” he said. “We’re a better nation than this.”

Kaine addressed the upcoming gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, again asking audience members for their support during the campaigns.

“Governors are the implementers,” he said. “We are out there every day making [policies] work.”

Kaine, who spoke at the Jack Morton Auditorium in the School of Media and Public Affairs, was one of several important Democrats who made an appearance during the 50th annual CDA convention. House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., spoke at a luncheon on Thursday, and Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., spoke at the convetnion’s opening ceremonies on Thursday.