On Friday Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton announced that Virginia U.S. Senator Tim Kaine was her choice for vice president. Bearing Drift’s Brian Schoeneman analyzed the unfolding political landscape [1] for the Commonwealth.
There was swift response from around the Commonwealth.
From Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe:
“I am thrilled to congratulate my friend Senator Tim Kaine on his selection to join the Democratic ticket with Hillary Clinton. As a Mayor, Lieutenant Governor, Governor and United States Senator, Tim Kaine has demonstrated that he is the right choice to help lead our country forward as Vice President of the United State. His experience, intellect and dedication to making life better for people from all walks of life will make him an enormous asset to Secretary Clinton throughout the remainder of this campaign and as a leader in her administration over the next four years. This is a proud day for every Virginian.”
From Virginia senior U.S. Senator Mark Warner:
“I enthusiastically applaud Secretary Clinton’s choice. Without reservation, I can say there is no one of higher integrity and trustworthiness.
“I first met Tim Kaine in law school 37 years ago, and our paths crossed years later in Virginia politics. Whether serving as mayor of Richmond, Virginia’s lieutenant governor, governor, and now as U.S. senator, Tim has always shown a commitment to serving others.
“He always finds reasons for hope and optimism in every situation, and he is centered by his faith and his family. Our country, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, will be very well-served by electing Tim Kaine as Vice President.”
From Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford):
“Senator Tim Kaine is an honorable public servant. Even though we disagree on policy and principle, I respect him. His character makes it all the more surprising that he would sign up to defend Hillary Clinton for the next three and a half months. However, Senator Kaine’s selection as the Vice Presidential nominee does not change that this election is ultimately a referendum on Secretary Clinton. Virginians will cast their vote based on her record as Secretary of State, objectionable character, and far-left agenda.”
From former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling:
“While I will not be voting for the Clinton/Kaine ticket in November, I do want to congratulate Tim Kaine on being selected to run for Vice President on the Democratic ticket. This is a great honor for Tim, his family and Virginia. I don’t always agree with Tim on issues, but I have tremendous respect for him as a person. We worked together for a number of years in the metro Richmond region before he became Governor and I became Lieutenant Governor. Even though we were of opposite political parties and philosophies, we worked together when we could for the benefit of Virginia. He is a good man and I wish him well.”
From at Sabato’s Crystal Ball [2]:
“If someone had told us at the start of this election cycle that the Democratic presidential nominee would be Hillary Clinton, and that she would choose Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia as her running mate, we would have said that would be… very, very plausible.
“Now that Clinton has tabbed Kaine as her pick in advance of the Democratic confab, it is interesting to reflect on the state of the two parties. The Democrats, often viewed historically as more chaotic and splintered, are now the more orderly and top-down of the two, with Democratic voters likelier to support their party “establishment” and prefer candidates with experience to outsiders.
From John Whitbeck, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia:
“It is no surprise that Hillary Clinton has chosen Tim Kaine to be her running mate. In recent weeks, Tim Kaine has demonstrated his willingness to defend the indefensible, simply to avoid the heartbreak of being left at the altar a second time.”
“Virginians know the real Tim Kaine – the Governor who breaks his promises not to raise taxes, and who shuts down rest stops to blackmail the legislature into raising taxes. They know the U.S. Senator who shifts to the left when he thinks he has a chance at higher office.
“Virginians know this Tim Kaine all too well. We look forward to educating our fellow Americans about the real Tim Kaine.”