Hillary Clinton
named U.S. Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate on Friday, making a
safe choice that will help her present the Democratic ticket as a steady
alternative to the unpredictable campaign of Republican presidential
rival Donald Trump.
The
selection of Kaine, a self-described “boring” Virginian with wide
governing experience and a reputation for low-key competence, could
appeal to independents and moderates but could also anger liberal groups
that object to his advocacy for an Asian free-trade pact.
But
the Spanish-speaking former Virginia governor and Richmond mayor fits
Clinton’s long-stated criteria that the vice presidential choice be a
capable partner who is ready to take over the presidency if necessary.
Clinton
made the announcement via Twitter and a text message to supporters
after the first day of a two-day campaign swing in Florida. She called
Kaine to tell him about 40 minutes before the announcement, and called
President Barack Obama shortly after Kaine.
“I’m
thrilled to tell you this first: I’ve chosen Sen. Tim Kaine as my
running mate. Welcome him to my team,” she said in her text message.
Kaine,
58, edged out two other finalists – Cory Booker, a U.S. senator from
New Jersey, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, according to a
Democratic source familiar with the discussions.
Clinton
also bypassed candidates who would have generated more excitement among
liberal and Hispanic activists, including progressive favorite U.S.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and two Hispanic members of Obama’s Cabinet,
Julian Castro and Thomas Perez.
The
former secretary of state will be formally nominated as the party’s
presidential candidate for the Nov. 8 election at next week’s Democratic
convention in Philadelphia. She leads Trump in many opinion polls.
Clinton’s
choice of a running mate could give her campaign momentum heading into
the convention, as the fight for the White House begins a more than
three-month push to the finish.
Clinton acknowledged in an interview earlier this week that even Kaine admits he is boring, and said she did not mind.
“I
love that about him,” she told Charlie Rose of CBS News and PBS. “He’s
never lost an election. He was a world-class mayor, governor and senator
and is one of the most highly respected senators I know.”
Kaine’s first appearance with Clinton will be on Saturday at an event in Miami, a campaign aide said.
