Hillary Clinton took the name of US Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate on Friday, opting for an experienced governing partner to help her presenting the Democratic ticket as a steady alternative, to the campaign of Republican presidential rival Donald Trump.
The selection of Kaine, a self-described "boring" Virginian with a reputation for low competence, could appeal to independents and moderates, but it quickly angered liberal groups that objected to his advocacy for an Asian free-trade pact.
Clinton made the announcement in Twitter and a text message to the 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.
she wrote in her text message, "I'm thrilled to tell you this first: I've chosen Sen. Tim Kaine as my running mate. Welcome him to my team.” Kaine, 58 years old defeated two other finalists, Cory Booker, a US senator from New Jersey, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The former secretary of the state will be nominated formally, as the party's presidential candidate for the November election at next week's Democratic convention in Philadelphia.
Clinton, in an interview acknowledged that even Kaine admits that he is boring, But she did not mind. She told, "I love that about him. 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."
A campaign official said that Clinton was impressed with Kaine's down-to-earth style when she completed her campaigned with him in Virginia. After that Kaine went back to her house in Washington, DC, for a 90-minute evening meeting. Two days later, Kaine and his wife, joined Clinton in New York for lunch, along with Clinton's husband, the former President Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea and Chelsea's husband. Kaine was the only vice presidential candidate to have a private family lunch during the vetting process.
Also Read: Tim Kaine Joined Clinton in Virginia Campaign
By Prakriti Neogi
