Hillary Clinton’s pick to be her running mate would appear to be a solid choice. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is moderate by the present Democratic Party definition. He is a moderate, highly popular in a key state for Hillary and actually pro-life, which comes as a major surprise to many left-leaning and far-left liberals.
The Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where party leaders are hoping to send a message of unity, and highlight stark divisions in the Republican Party intensified by Donald Trump. Kaine, for those purposes, is Hillary and her handlers rolling the dice.
Why? Kaine has backed abortion restrictions; supported the controversial Pacific Rim trade deal; and joined a push to deregulate some of the nation’s largest banks. Of course Hillary portrays herself as “anti-Wall Street,” but any informed American knows that’s a joke.
Furthermore, after a rowdy Democratic primary contest between Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), everything in the party isn’t holding hands and singing folk tunes. Sanders’ liberal supporters continuously bashed the former secretary of State for being too conservative on some of those same issues, including trade and her ties to Wall Street.
There is a great deal of soul-searching for the multitudes of Sanders supporters; many who are not Hillary voters whatsoever. Will they go with the other maverick in the race, Donald J. Trump?
Those liberal voices that carry clout with Sanders’ base include a more left-leaning vice presidential candidate, Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) or Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). How will they receive the more centrist Kaine?
There are scores of further left VP candidates that Hillary surprisingly did not pick. Was it because of Trump’s thunderous acceptance speech that more than likely made many undecided Americans take a look at the last eight years?
Have the recent terrorist attacks now become Hillary’s personal failure as the former Secretary of State under Barack Obama? There have been Nice, France, mass shootings in Texas, Florida and Louisiana, and the killing of two black men at the hands of police in Minnesota and Louisiana, the nation has grown jittery over security concerns.
Enter Trump who has resonated with his “law and order” theme. Clinton clearly is aware how angry Americans are and Trump has red meat to keep them angry. So maybe Kaine fits the bill. He served on both the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees. He particularly focused on anti-terror measures.
Democratic National Convention Starts Monday
Now comes the Democratic National Convention starting Monday in Philadelphia.
There are other reasons Kaine is an attractive pick for Clinton and the Democrats. The devout Catholic from the Midwest, was Jesuit-educated in Missouri and took time away from Harvard Law School to do missionary work in Honduras.
He will come to the podium Wednesday night with an impressive resume. But what is more important is, will the far-left wing of the party accept this moderate ticket with a presidential candidate under a heavy barrage about her foundation with Bill, the email scandal that won’t go away and the fact she has been around since 1992.
