Hillary Clinton on Friday tapped Tim Kaine, a popular
Spanish-speaking senator from the swing state of Virginia, to be her
running mate in the White House showdown against Donald Trump.
“I’m thrilled to announce my running mate, @timkaine, a man who’s
devoted his life to fighting for others. -H,” the presumptive Democratic
nominee tweeted.
The 58-year-old senator swiftly tweeted his response, saying: “Just
got off the phone with Hillary. I’m honored to be her running mate.
Can’t wait to hit the trail tomorrow in Miami!”
Kaine, an experienced foreign policy hand who serves on the Senate
Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, could help Clinton
bring in two key voting blocs: Hispanics and the battleground state of
Virginia.
Politically a middle-of-the-road Democrat, he is also seen as helping
the former secretary of state win over votes from reluctant independent
male voters.
Widely seen as a safe choice for Clinton in a brutal election race,
Kaine emerged as a frontrunner in the veepstakes because he ticks so
many boxes.
Clinton put out a series of tweets heaping praise on the senator,
known for his affable manner as well as his expertise on matters of
defense and foreign policy.
“@timkaine is a relentless optimist who believes no problem is
unsolvable if you put in the work to solve it,” Clinton wrote.
“@timkaine’s guiding principle: the belief that you can make a
difference through public service.”
One of the tweets included a five-point graphic highlighting the
senator’s youthful spell on a Jesuit mission in Honduras as well as his
track record in fighting homelessness, discrimination and gun violence,
in expanding early childhood education and in fostering a positive
business environment in Virginia.
The pick comes just days before the start of the Democratic National
Convention in Philadelphia, where Clinton—and now Kaine—next week are to
be elevated as the nominees to the party’s presidential ticket.
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