Democrat Hillary Clinton has moved closer to introducing her running mate for the elections, with Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia topping the list of contenders.
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Having previously served as mayor of Richmond and lieutenant governor of Virginia, Kaine has bolstered his foreign policy credentials as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Following the pick, Clinton aides emphasized Kaine’s readiness to lead and said the senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee have a strong rapport.
The former secretary of state is in Orlando Friday morning and then heading to a campaign rally in Tampa where she may announce her running mate.
It reflected a strategic choice by Clinton: To go with a running mate who amplifies her argument that experience in government – not sizzle – is the best path to keeping the White House in Democratic hands.
Another name that’s said to be high on Clinton’s list is U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of MA, a leader of the party’s progressive wing, had also been floated as a possibility and campaigned with Clinton after she secured the delegates necessary for the party’s nomination.
Some of his more centrist positions have upset some past supporters of Clinton’s former rival Bernie Sanders, many of whom wanted her to make a more progressive pick.
The new Democratic ticket is slated to appear together at a joint rally in Miami, Florida on Saturday.
Clinton came out opposing the TPP after supporting it while secretary of state, so Kaine’s continuous defense of the deal is in direct opposition with Clinton’s.
Kaine is also fluent in Spanish, a skill that Clinton can deploy to further mobilize a Latino community that already gives Donald Trump historically low marks as a candidate. And nobody cares about Tim Kaine. Tim Kaine is her choice as vice president. “Ted, stay home”, Trump said, dismissing any interest in an endorsement the Texas senator refuses to provide. Kaine is the vice presidential frontrunner, and has been the frontrunner all year long.
On top of that, Kaine is unlikely to overshadow the candidate, grab the limelight or create turbulence with controversial comments – all valuable traits for a Clinton campaign that can’t any afford more scandal.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s 75-minute speech promising to be the champion of dissatisfied Americans has brought his Cleveland convention to an end.
Kaine was viewed widely as the “safe” choice and one backed by Bill Clinton.
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He spoke there of his Irish roots and his visit to Ireland in 2006, his first year as governor of Virginia, with his wife Anne and three children.
