Tim Kaine: Where Clinton’s VP Nominee Stands On The Issues

Hillary Clinton has announced her VP nominee, and it’s former Virginia Governor and current Senator Tim Kaine. The US Senator and former Governor of Virginia is viewed as a safe choice for Clinton, and one that may help her win the White Male demographic – her current weakest point.

“After [Donald Trump’s nomination acceptance speech] last night, she needs to make the safest choice possible,” a former senior White House aide told Politico.

In an interview with CBS’s Charlie Rose, Clinton was asked about Kaine’s perceived “vanilla” persona. “I love that about him,” Clinton said. “He was a world-class mayor, governor and senator and is one of the most highly respected senators I know,” Clinton added, reports Reuters.

A look at Kaine’s stance on issues reveals a socially liberal politician who has supported Environmental Rights, Civil Rights, but remains moderate on foreign policy issues and has even voiced personal religious objections to abortion, reports On The Issues.

“Every progressive I talk to is concerned both about Kaine’s history of trade cheerleading and that this portends Clinton is going to surround herself generally with cautious centrists who don’t like ruffling feathers with big corporations,” an anonymous Democratic told Politico. “The economic anger that exists somehow still hasn’t affected her decisions, which is scary, depressing and provocative.”

In addition to Kaine, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Cory Booker have been under consideration for the job.

However, both President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton have pushed for Kaine’s selection.

“Tim is my first choice,” Bill Clinton said. “The advice he gives is much more: Here are the issues you’re going to have; here’s why you need this person. It’s more from experience.”

“[Kaine] brings people in,” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said. “He doesn’t say, ‘This way or the highway’ – he tries to structure compromise.”  

Sources: Politico, On The Issues, Reuters / Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Wall Street Journal