Finally this country will be governed by grown-ups!
30
Kaine is a solid choice. But Al Franken, that would have been inspired
12
I'm voting for Jill Stein.
22
The FBI director documented Hillary's blatant lies, lack of integrity and total disregard for our national security.
Despite this Tim Kaine agreed to be her running mate. It brings into question the honesty and integrity of anyone willing to associate themselves with or vote for Hillary Clinton.
Despite this Tim Kaine agreed to be her running mate. It brings into question the honesty and integrity of anyone willing to associate themselves with or vote for Hillary Clinton.
14
The big +++plus of this choice with Tim's depth of experience: We keep Bill from "wandering over the tarmac" to the West Wing too much. Have Michelle pass him the East Wing keys to do the house husband/first gentleman soft issues. It would be good to see this gender bending. This would be a first.
With Kaine so so well experienced to be Hillary's sounding board, no gaps in his resume, Bill can develop this new softer role in the East Wing Office. I want to see him doing the Easter Egg rolls and weeding the White House garden. Then we will have achieved something! Humility is a good look for him!
Kaine can wave genially over the hedge, "Bill, I got this, buddy. Good luck with your town hall on childhood obesity and college preparedness next week in Paducah!":)
Paducah
With Kaine so so well experienced to be Hillary's sounding board, no gaps in his resume, Bill can develop this new softer role in the East Wing Office. I want to see him doing the Easter Egg rolls and weeding the White House garden. Then we will have achieved something! Humility is a good look for him!
Kaine can wave genially over the hedge, "Bill, I got this, buddy. Good luck with your town hall on childhood obesity and college preparedness next week in Paducah!":)
Paducah
9
What a decent man. What an honorable choice.
24
The more I learn about Tim Kaine, the more I see what an astute choice this is.
27
I'm a proud liberal Democrat and I've always loved Tim Kaine. Like Pres. Obama, he's a gentleman, a principled man who has always worked for the poor and disadvantaged. He's smart and can think on his feet. And he's charming.
27
So, if Hilary wins in November, will the Dems lose a Senate seat? I was hoping Hilary would not pick a senator from a Republican controlled state. I think that's a mistake, a bad mistake. Other than that, I am OK with the choice.
3
You're half right, half wrong:
"Mrs. Clinton wasted no time lurching right in anticipation of harvesting disaffected Republican voters..."
That part's right.
"She has miscalculated."
That part's wrong. She knows Sanders supporters will either (1) vote for her or (2) will vote for a third-party candidate or not at all (same thing, arithmetically).
Clearly #1 is better for Hillary -- vote for her. But #2 isn't all that bad. She can win 100% of a state's electoral votes with only 40% of the popular vote if her opponent doesn't get 41%. (Hubert Humphrey won Texas in 1968 with only 41% of the vote, for example, because George Wallace pulled votes away from Nixon).
As long as disgruntled Sanders supporters don't vote for Trump, they're supporting Hillary. She knows that, and she's counting on it. She's probably correct.
"Mrs. Clinton wasted no time lurching right in anticipation of harvesting disaffected Republican voters..."
That part's right.
"She has miscalculated."
That part's wrong. She knows Sanders supporters will either (1) vote for her or (2) will vote for a third-party candidate or not at all (same thing, arithmetically).
Clearly #1 is better for Hillary -- vote for her. But #2 isn't all that bad. She can win 100% of a state's electoral votes with only 40% of the popular vote if her opponent doesn't get 41%. (Hubert Humphrey won Texas in 1968 with only 41% of the vote, for example, because George Wallace pulled votes away from Nixon).
As long as disgruntled Sanders supporters don't vote for Trump, they're supporting Hillary. She knows that, and she's counting on it. She's probably correct.
3
I know an entire family of legal Mexican immigrants (they are out there). Devout Roman Catholics who despite the fact abortions are morally reprehensible, except if you are Jesuit trained politician or a democrat...or all the above, don't have much respect for those who end life at the drop of a hat.
3
I can't believe that Bernie's supporters will just settle. I think Bernie should now take back his endorsement of Hillary because it was based on her supposed embrace of progressive policies which turned out to be a lie. She's now showing her true colors by choosing as her running mate someone who is essentially a Wall Street clone. How progressive is that? She will, of course, practice her usual deceit helped along by the NYT and the WaPost, but the game is up, and it's now a test of how dumb we are to continue to allow her to get away with it.
27
I like Mrs. Clinton and would be voting for her even if she had picked Whitey Bulger,
The truth is I would have preferred Whitey Bulger.
The Trump is a menace that needs to be gotten rid of. Starting today Mrs. Clinton and Sen. Kaine should be pulling out all the stops and going after the man with hammer and tongs. Something like Whitey might do.
The truth is I would have preferred Whitey Bulger.
The Trump is a menace that needs to be gotten rid of. Starting today Mrs. Clinton and Sen. Kaine should be pulling out all the stops and going after the man with hammer and tongs. Something like Whitey might do.
13
VP is not that important, but the statement "At an earlier round-table discussion with emergency medical workers and elected officials, Mrs. Clinton nodded solemnly and hardly spoke, an implicit contrast with Mr. Trump’s 75-minute speech on Thursday night." comparing a discussion about the Orlando incident where she nodded "solemnly" with a final convention acceptance speech I would have thought was beneath the NY Times writers. I guess not - disappointed again.
2
I want Elizabeth Warren for Senate majority leader, not VP.
24
I'm no fashion plate, but these two might as well be wearing pajamas.
3
Does anyone else have a job out there that would allow them to stop working, campaign for vice president, still get paid and not fired like Tim Kaine?
Elected officials like him should be forced to resign if they elect to run for another office.
Elected officials like him should be forced to resign if they elect to run for another office.
8
The Washington bureaucrats who live in the bedroom communities of Northern Virginia will vote for Hillary mainly to keep their jobs. The idea that this is a progressive ticket is a joke.
18
Kaine's choice was important for the party.
Despite the DOJ and FBI doing a white wash, there will be honest law enforcement, national or international who will do a proper investigation.
Hillary will surely land in jail yet, so if the Democrat party wins, Kaine will be the actual President in short time.
Despite the DOJ and FBI doing a white wash, there will be honest law enforcement, national or international who will do a proper investigation.
Hillary will surely land in jail yet, so if the Democrat party wins, Kaine will be the actual President in short time.
2
I knew Clinton would choose a weak mild-mannered person to run as her VP. Kaine fits that description perfectly. Clinton did not want Warren or Sanders, who are powerful determined speakers, because she would be overshadowed by them. And she did not want Booker simply because of his skin color.
11
Good for Hillary! She made a very astute VP choice in Tim Kaine. Proves she thinks through the tough questions and finds a logical answer: one who is trained in governance if she should be incapacitated, can be replaced by a Dem. governor with a Dem senator, push for the continued rights of all citizens regardless of race or ethnicity, Spanish speaker, a true "got your back" kind of guy. Bernie and Warren will support her in this choice at the convention so no hand-wringing, please! She has made the best possible choice to face Trump/Pence and bring them to heel. I'm with her!
22
Mrs. Clinton is late to the LGBTQ party as it were. Remember when she was against gay marriage? Trump has always stood firm in his support of LGBTQ's. As Andrrson Cooper correctly asked her "will you say anything to get elected? " She can't pander her way to the White House.
10
if McGovern and Gene McCarthy taught me one thing, progressives talk but they don't walk. I don't want an autocratic or worse a progressive enlightened monarch. I want a solid give and take politician who wins. Bernie taght me that there is hope in the next generation, but not if they drop out. This is a contact sport. Learn it.
11
Great choice. This is obviously a man of impeccable character who truly wants to help people. What a refreshing change in today's cynical political environment.
10
She decided to choose a very conservative democrat in order to pull votes away from republican conservatives. He's always been against abortion. How will that sit with liberal women who support Hillary. with Hillary it's all about winning and she could care less about principles.
4
I think the pick was a good move. the V.P. slot is decorative not action focused. I was concerned that Hillary would stick Elizabeth in it..
I think that the banksters will be mollified with this pick, but I do not see it as a dampener of the forward motion of serious growth that has breen ignited in the heart of the the People. The die is cast, and the People will triumph.
I think that the banksters will be mollified with this pick, but I do not see it as a dampener of the forward motion of serious growth that has breen ignited in the heart of the the People. The die is cast, and the People will triumph.
8
Hillary is not smart to ignore the progressives in the party with a conservative choice that will not appeal to the young or non-white voters. She is a total progressive phoney. Progressives and/or the young will mostly not vote, vote Green and a few will vote for Trump. Hail President Trump.
6
Total misstep. She needs to infuse energy into the party right now and crazy uncle just fumbled on her 1 yard line. She can be creative at this point but she decided to go for the safe field goal instead. And she missed. We have a black president right now and have never been as culturally mixed as a nation. And she just had Bernie Sanders galvanizing a younger following. This decision is not best reflection of circumstances.
5
Tim Kaine is a good man. Decent, ethical, and really for people. PLEASE don't stay home because he doesn't pass the progressive purity test. I personally think the two of them will make a great team that have the best shot at governing this burgeoning ship of state. Reproductive rights, LGBT issues, environmental issues, etc all are in the right hands. We may not like or agree with everything, but, really, in the end we never will have someone that everyone can agree on. I think it makes a great team, and the alternative is too horrifying to imagine. For me, this really isn't the lesser of two evils.
14
It might be good to look up TIm Kaine's voting record and actions, which are pretty solidly left-liberal.
It might be good to consider that picking Booker or Warren--neither of whom has his experience--would mean two Senate seats flipping Republican come fall.
It might be good to consider that it's not a great idea to pick a VP who's as old as Bernie is, that VP is not exactly a power position, that Sanders would have far more power in a Democratic Senate.
i'm not saying that Clinton's perfect, or that Kaine is. i'm dubious about her Wall Street ties and foreign policy ideas; I don't care for his support for offshore drilling and Keystone XL.
What I am saying is oh, grow up. And if you want better, if you want more, get off your duff and do the long, slow, dull work.
It might be good to consider that picking Booker or Warren--neither of whom has his experience--would mean two Senate seats flipping Republican come fall.
It might be good to consider that it's not a great idea to pick a VP who's as old as Bernie is, that VP is not exactly a power position, that Sanders would have far more power in a Democratic Senate.
i'm not saying that Clinton's perfect, or that Kaine is. i'm dubious about her Wall Street ties and foreign policy ideas; I don't care for his support for offshore drilling and Keystone XL.
What I am saying is oh, grow up. And if you want better, if you want more, get off your duff and do the long, slow, dull work.
17
First impression: Hillary has forged a strong ticket and has passed the first real test of her leadership. Now that the Democrats have a balanced team, the campaign for the White House is theirs to lose. In other words, if they can avoid any big mistakes, the electorate has no choice because Trump is not an option. He's made that clear from the primaries and convention.
In addition to the trade issue, however, the Democrats remain vulnerable on illegal immigration. One does not have to be racist to understand that this country needs a permanent solution to its present "cracked door" policy. It is broken, but will a Kaine help fix it, or, despite his positive qualities, is his selection mere pandering to HIspanics? Well, that's why they call it politics!
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
In addition to the trade issue, however, the Democrats remain vulnerable on illegal immigration. One does not have to be racist to understand that this country needs a permanent solution to its present "cracked door" policy. It is broken, but will a Kaine help fix it, or, despite his positive qualities, is his selection mere pandering to HIspanics? Well, that's why they call it politics!
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
4
With Clinton/Kaine we have two adults in the room.
And thank god for that because the psychotic clown car Tweeting from the other side is just way too scary for words.
And thank god for that because the psychotic clown car Tweeting from the other side is just way too scary for words.
22
Kaine is a brilliant choice for Clinton. Trump reacted with an absurd "corrupt Tim" charge. Those corruption charges are Trump's lame attempt to distract the spotlight from his own decades of business corruption, including (for example) a tax exemption fix from a crony when he was winning the Grand Hyatt Hotel project ... and countless other 'inside jobs.' Kaine is upstanding and has a good heart, rare in politics and absent in nearly all GOP candidates.
15
Kaine is a good choice. Has experience, decency and a measure of wisdom gained from working with the hardliners in his own state.
It will be hard fought and probably closer than any of us would like, but Hillary and Kaine will win if we all get out and vote. The frog pond for trump.
It will be hard fought and probably closer than any of us would like, but Hillary and Kaine will win if we all get out and vote. The frog pond for trump.
11
Unfortunately, because we now know that the Clinton campaign spent a million dollars or more paying anonymous writers/bloggers to "correct" people's online comments about her, one can only assume some of these "Hell yeah!" comments applauding her / her choice of VP are manufactured. In fact, as long as her campaign keeps seeding forums, any places where enthusiasm for her campaign dominates will unfortunately be suspect for tampering by her campaign.
Interestingly -- and I'm sure it's just a coincidence -- around the time the news broke that her campaign was paying people to fill forums with pro-Clinton propaganda, the comment on NYT articles about her and Bernie's campaigns miraculously started to tilt pro-Hillary, after usually heavily tilting pro-Bernie. Again, just a coincidence, I'm sure.
Interestingly -- and I'm sure it's just a coincidence -- around the time the news broke that her campaign was paying people to fill forums with pro-Clinton propaganda, the comment on NYT articles about her and Bernie's campaigns miraculously started to tilt pro-Hillary, after usually heavily tilting pro-Bernie. Again, just a coincidence, I'm sure.
4
Tim Kaine would not have been my first choice, but I can sure appreciate the "why" of his anointing as the VP candidate. Kaine may be "boring" but his bona fides are pure Democratic with a gigantic "D." He is a solid, decent, humanitarian -- a person with a conscience in an age where conscience seems to be sadly lacking. I admire his principled stand as he functions as a centrist, and as a feminist. He seems to be a bipartisan conciliator in the Senate, and given the "heads will roll before any cooperation will be had" attitude of the GOP, this alone is tremendously refreshing.
A surprise? Yes, Kaine is a surprise, but he is a good one for the overall ticket. Well done - now, on to the White House!
A surprise? Yes, Kaine is a surprise, but he is a good one for the overall ticket. Well done - now, on to the White House!
15
As a Bernie Sanders supporter, Hillary's choice for VP serves as proof she cannot be trusted and further to that, was merely paying lip service to Bernie's proposals to get him to endorse her. Kaine is a proponent of Pro-life, big banks and free trade esp the TPP. Together they will keep the establishment status quo in place that pretty much wiped out the middle class. Yesterday's Wiki Leaks exposure on the behind-the-scenes machinations by DNC Chair and her cohorts to derail Sanders as a viable candidate is evidence on how far from integrity the Democratic Party has fallen. After listening to the narcissistic hour long insanity Donald Trump;s speech I wavered thinking I could possible vote for Hillary as Trump is indeed a scary dude, but after her choice of Kaine, there's no way!
6
As someone who checks all the liberal boxes on social policy, my sympathies have always leaned left, but the smug superiority and Mean Girls-elitism of the liberals have consistently pushed me further right. That said, at this point I am less concerned with political affiliation than with finding a leader who is intelligent, compassionate, and, yes, moderate. If I vote for HRC––and 24 hours ago I would have said that was unthinkable––it will be because of Tim Kaine.
11
I think this is a great choice for HIllary, the Democratic Party and the country. It shows that she is serious about dealing with the daunting problems facing us. Certainly Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders would have been more exciting but their shrillness would be grating over time and their passion about their positions too entrenched to ever be able to bring about compromise and action in Congress. Save the emotion and bombast for Trump and his Trumpettes. I am voting for serious, thoughtful problem solvers.
15
I can't take anymore Trump. I've reached by limit--I am Trumped out. Unlike his supporters I am not afraid of the future, and I do not share Trump's warped, dark vision of the country, nor do I share his grandiose view of himself. I welcome the calm, moderate, experienced, educated and rational Kaine to the Clinton ticket. I can't wait until they are elected and the noisy, disorganized, incoherent, angry chaos that is Trump will be over.
18
Kaine is a reasonable Democrat, something we don't see very often these days. Too bad he's not the nominee, since I think he might be able to attract blue collar workers that will never vote for Clinton. Also, he seems to be honest, which is a nice contrast to Hillary's abysmal trustworthiness numbers with the electorate. Best case is that HRC will get elected, then immediately forced to resign, because of the lies she told to Congress. Then we'd actually have a qualified person in the Presidency.
3
Many commenters have insisted Virginia became a "swing state" only recently, and that Kaine is one reason it's moved toward Democrats (its governor and other Senator are also Democrats).
The more important reason, though, is that Virginia is actually TWO states:
1. The DC suburbs.
2. Everything else.
The Virginia DC suburbs -- which tend to vote Democratic -- have grown, fast. The rest of the state hasn't. As a result, Democrats do much better than they used to in Virginia.
The more important reason, though, is that Virginia is actually TWO states:
1. The DC suburbs.
2. Everything else.
The Virginia DC suburbs -- which tend to vote Democratic -- have grown, fast. The rest of the state hasn't. As a result, Democrats do much better than they used to in Virginia.
8
One thing is sure. Hillary and Kaine will get support from the Koch brothers, Wall Street, big business, and the banks. Strange world when the parties reverse themselves. The Democrats will fall back on their liberal platform for the LGBT community and women's rights. These are their loss leaders like the Second Amendment and the right to life for the Republicans, but until now both parties were in the bag for the powerful money interests. Trump has dared to uncover the big lie. Identity politics will no longer be a ruse for politicians to conceal their true loyalties, but everyone will come together under Trump's redefined political umbrella under which the unifying element will be jobs for all and income equality.
2
I am a socialist who supported Sanders in the primary.
Anyone on the left who would rather see Donald Trump the Fascist become President because they are upset that Clinton did not pick a progressive darling as her running mate is a traitor to the socialist cause. Face it, you aren't as 'progressive' as you think you are. Workers rights, environmental protection, regulation of Wall Street - progress in these areas may not advance as fast as you'd like to see under Clinton, but they will do a hell of a lot better with her in charge (and a liberal-majority Supreme Court). Trump has promised to tear up Dodd-Frank, crush the unions, and gut the powers of the EPA (just read his party platform). He is an evil demagogue and if the only viable alternative to him is Clinton's capitalism with a human face you have to vote for it. The KPD and SPD could've stopped Hitler, but the KPD refused to cooperate with the SPD because they didn't think the social democrats were revolutionary enough. What a mistake that was.
Anyone on the left who would rather see Donald Trump the Fascist become President because they are upset that Clinton did not pick a progressive darling as her running mate is a traitor to the socialist cause. Face it, you aren't as 'progressive' as you think you are. Workers rights, environmental protection, regulation of Wall Street - progress in these areas may not advance as fast as you'd like to see under Clinton, but they will do a hell of a lot better with her in charge (and a liberal-majority Supreme Court). Trump has promised to tear up Dodd-Frank, crush the unions, and gut the powers of the EPA (just read his party platform). He is an evil demagogue and if the only viable alternative to him is Clinton's capitalism with a human face you have to vote for it. The KPD and SPD could've stopped Hitler, but the KPD refused to cooperate with the SPD because they didn't think the social democrats were revolutionary enough. What a mistake that was.
20
L
Luv
Luv
1
The New York Times is hiding the most important political news of the day which is the Wiki-leaks release of the stunning and disturbing (20,000) emails between the Democratic National committee and the Clinton campaign staff that clearly showed they tried to discredit and disable the Bernie Sanders campaign. These Nixon like (circa 1972 CREEP) tactics are disgraceful and even the Washington Post reported them on the front page. What has happened to the journalistic integrity of the NYT or to paraphrase a hero of the MaCarthy era..."has the NYT no shame"?
12
More of the same......Neither party is really diverse and inclusive. Both have an all white and older running mate in 2016 (imagine that).
2
The NRA gave Tim K an F
An A from us folks on the left,
Who needs more high drama?
Level headed like Obama,
A choice that’s considerably deft.
An A from us folks on the left,
Who needs more high drama?
Level headed like Obama,
A choice that’s considerably deft.
9
The usual "game plan" for a Presidential candidate is to tack toward the center, and Hillary appears to be doing that. But many analysts insist that the candidate's first task is to shore up his or her base. That means "right" for the Republicans, "left" for the Democrats.
In either party, however, the combination of moderates and non-moderates is often not enough to win. The candidate must get a substantial chunk of the middle. That's precisely why they tack toward the middle.
This time, though, it seems possible that Clinton could win by solidifying her hold on Democratic moderates and Sanders supporters, foregoing the "middle." Whether or not that's true, clearly she's sticking with the old "tack toward the center" strategy. She's counting on Sanders supporters to back her, or at least not to vote for Trump.
She's probably right about that. Several commenters say they're Sanders supporters and will vote for a third-party candidate. That's the same as not voting at all. If Hillary wins a state, say, 40-35, because third-party candidates get many votes, she still gets 100% of that state's electoral votes, just the same as if she won it 50-45.
In either party, however, the combination of moderates and non-moderates is often not enough to win. The candidate must get a substantial chunk of the middle. That's precisely why they tack toward the middle.
This time, though, it seems possible that Clinton could win by solidifying her hold on Democratic moderates and Sanders supporters, foregoing the "middle." Whether or not that's true, clearly she's sticking with the old "tack toward the center" strategy. She's counting on Sanders supporters to back her, or at least not to vote for Trump.
She's probably right about that. Several commenters say they're Sanders supporters and will vote for a third-party candidate. That's the same as not voting at all. If Hillary wins a state, say, 40-35, because third-party candidates get many votes, she still gets 100% of that state's electoral votes, just the same as if she won it 50-45.
9
I'd been hoping for Tom Perez and was initially somewhat disappointed with the choice of Kaine. He's certainly closer to the corporatist wing of the party than is ideal. But he's also probably a better choice both to solidify an important swing state and, more importantly, to take an important role in governance assuming they win. As a former governor, he has executive experience, and as a well regarded Senator he should be an effective liaison to Congress.
On balance, a solid selection that probably speaks well of Sec. Clinton--and, not surprisingly, a far cleaner and more logical process than how her tire fire of an opponent selected his reactionary running mate.
On balance, a solid selection that probably speaks well of Sec. Clinton--and, not surprisingly, a far cleaner and more logical process than how her tire fire of an opponent selected his reactionary running mate.
15
It appears Kaine approved several important spending cuts while he was VA's governor.
Unlike the federal government and many municipalities (Detroit, for example), most state governments are required by their constitutions to balance the budget each year. Some states (CA, for example) use budgetary legerdemain to accomplish this (for example, making unrealistic assumptions about how fast assets set aside for pensions will grow), but it's still a tough task. There are two basic tools:
1. Tax more.
2. Spend less.
During his four years as VA governor, Kaine reportedly pressed for $4 billion in state tax increases, none of which was approved by the VA legislature. That left "spend less," which he reportedly did.
Unlike the federal government and many municipalities (Detroit, for example), most state governments are required by their constitutions to balance the budget each year. Some states (CA, for example) use budgetary legerdemain to accomplish this (for example, making unrealistic assumptions about how fast assets set aside for pensions will grow), but it's still a tough task. There are two basic tools:
1. Tax more.
2. Spend less.
During his four years as VA governor, Kaine reportedly pressed for $4 billion in state tax increases, none of which was approved by the VA legislature. That left "spend less," which he reportedly did.
4
The Clintons appear to have followed their usual strategy and triangulated -- let's choose a Democrat on the conservative side to attract disaffected Republicans and swing voters. But while Kaine appears to be a decent man, it's an awful, awful choice. Trump is -- correctly for once -- running against free trade, illegal immigration, and the trade deals that have decimated the American workforce, whereas Kaine is absolutely on the wrong side of these issues.
Mrs. Clinton has already done the unthinkable and allowed Trump to pull even in the polls and almost even in the fivethirtyeight projection. She still has time to stem the slide but I fear, based upon her consistent haplessness, that she remains out of touch with the mood of the American public, and that we face the almost unthinkable prospect of President Trump as a result.
Mrs. Clinton has already done the unthinkable and allowed Trump to pull even in the polls and almost even in the fivethirtyeight projection. She still has time to stem the slide but I fear, based upon her consistent haplessness, that she remains out of touch with the mood of the American public, and that we face the almost unthinkable prospect of President Trump as a result.
25
Fear not. There is always the "convention bump" that emerges in polling. As for free trade, even if there were no free trade agreements, the trend towards removing human workers with automation would continue.
The bigger question is what to do with all of the US's "horseshoers and weavers" -- The Great Swath of Unemployable" -- who have been displaced. Those jobs aren't going to come back the way they were before because businesses don't want that model anymore -- NAFTA, PPT or not.
America is pretty good at reinventing itself. My vote will go for the people who have the forward-looking vision to go beyond outdated paternalistic factories. I'd rather see millions of solar panels and sustainable energy projects than more coal; more sustainable infrastructure projects. How about you?
The bigger question is what to do with all of the US's "horseshoers and weavers" -- The Great Swath of Unemployable" -- who have been displaced. Those jobs aren't going to come back the way they were before because businesses don't want that model anymore -- NAFTA, PPT or not.
America is pretty good at reinventing itself. My vote will go for the people who have the forward-looking vision to go beyond outdated paternalistic factories. I'd rather see millions of solar panels and sustainable energy projects than more coal; more sustainable infrastructure projects. How about you?
9
Kaine may be a safe and predictable choice. He may even bring real strength to the ticket. But in light of the Wikileaks reveal of the Democratic National Committee's contempt for Bernie Sanders and even its efforts to undermine him, Clinton's pick simply solidifies the feeling of a lot of Democrats that the fix is in and that Clinton is simply going to be playing the game as it is always played. Clinton has to turn to the left. If she does not, and does not do it convincingly, a lot of Sanders supporters are simply going to stay home. That may well hand the election to Trump. Of course, as disastrous as that may be, it may also be a learning experience for the Democratic Party - ignore the genuine anger and disenchantment of its own base at its risk. The assumption that fear of Trump will drive people to hold their noses and vote for Hillary seriously underestimates the extent to which people are sick of the rigged political system. As utterly disastrous as Trump and everything he represents would be for the US and the world, there is no doubt it would bring a time of serious crisis and disruption to the US political system and force change.
30
I voted for Bernie Sanders, but this navel-gazing nonsense by the fake left is infuriating.
Yes, the fake left. They don't seem to care enough about what Bernie Sanders stands for to defend it against Donald Trump. Perhaps they are so privileged they have little to lose.
Yes, the fake left. They don't seem to care enough about what Bernie Sanders stands for to defend it against Donald Trump. Perhaps they are so privileged they have little to lose.
15
The morning of November 9th, the day after election day, will be quite something as America confronts the impending reign of President Trump. I am sure that, under those circumstances, the Democratic leadership elite, and its civic, corporate, and media enablers will without reservation do the right and honorable thing and accept individual and joint responsibility for an election outcome of which they will be the authors. They will not insult us with their tortured logic as to why, in an election cycle when large swathes of the electorate are vocally declaring their profound loss of faith in the institutions having dominion over their lives, a cycle in which voters are demanding change, it was, regardless, a fail-safe winning strategy to put forward a ticket whose clear message to those voters was, "Yes, yes, we hear you. We know you want change. Do we have something for you. We give you the same old-same old, but, this time, with change! This time with something new! We give you the same old-same old, but with different management."
Clinton and the Democratic establishment can turn away, ignore altogether, the lessons of the fractious primary campaign, persist in their apparent delusion that Americans are clamoring for some more of that business as usual thing, please. But that is their folly; they own it. It is on them, not us, that they give sad proof to the saying that "There are none so deaf as those that will not hear, and none so blind as those that will not see."
Clinton and the Democratic establishment can turn away, ignore altogether, the lessons of the fractious primary campaign, persist in their apparent delusion that Americans are clamoring for some more of that business as usual thing, please. But that is their folly; they own it. It is on them, not us, that they give sad proof to the saying that "There are none so deaf as those that will not hear, and none so blind as those that will not see."
32
If Obama can be elected twice despite the rampant racism and Muslim fear mongering perpetuated by rightwing media, supporters, and even some candidates, then you can be pretty sure that Trump won't win against a flawed but generally qualified Democrat in 2016.
Even if Trump won, he is so hated by even his own party, he would accomplish nothing in Congress. Remember all the right-wing screaming about Obama "ruling by fiat" with Executive Orders? And now you want a guy in there who says "I alone will fix it"? Hah! Hypocrisy.
As for business as usual, seems like the economy is the strongest in the world, unemployment and participation continue to improve, pressure is mounting on wages, gasoline is still dirt cheap, the stock market is at record highs, millions of people who needed health insurance now have it, Clinton is likely to promote a Public Option, and I see Help Wanted signs all over the place.
Sure. More of the same. I'll take it and work on the getting Citizens United overturned. That might make a dent in the folly.
Even if Trump won, he is so hated by even his own party, he would accomplish nothing in Congress. Remember all the right-wing screaming about Obama "ruling by fiat" with Executive Orders? And now you want a guy in there who says "I alone will fix it"? Hah! Hypocrisy.
As for business as usual, seems like the economy is the strongest in the world, unemployment and participation continue to improve, pressure is mounting on wages, gasoline is still dirt cheap, the stock market is at record highs, millions of people who needed health insurance now have it, Clinton is likely to promote a Public Option, and I see Help Wanted signs all over the place.
Sure. More of the same. I'll take it and work on the getting Citizens United overturned. That might make a dent in the folly.
17
Kaine is nothing short of a betrayal to the more progressive democrats like myself. Why not Booker? Why not an openly gay VP? How about Ms. Warren? We have the same old. Missed opportunity. Sorry.
36
Because Booker and Warren are both in the Senate, from states with Republican governors who would replace them with Republicans come November.
Because there aren't any openly gay politicians who are at a high enough level to becoome President.
Because you didn't bother to look up Kaine's actual record. Try the Think Progress site.
Because there aren't any openly gay politicians who are at a high enough level to becoome President.
Because you didn't bother to look up Kaine's actual record. Try the Think Progress site.
9
"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Ask Hillary, Billy and Timmy.
He's called 'Wall Street.'"
35
Great choice on many levels, the final and most important being that Sen. Kaine is ready to lead now. For my progressive brethren who seem to believe that the only way to advance the movement is at the presidential level, I suggest we direct our energy toward another important target: Congress. In my opinion, that's where "the revolution" needed to begin all along. It will be a lot less glamorous than a fight over the presidency and it will be a lot messier (as real revolutions tend to be) but it will be worth it. Let's get to work.
50
Yes, let's elect progressives to Congress so that they can pass legislation that Hillary will quickly veto for fear of losing the moderate Republican vote in her reelection bid!
2
As expected, the loudly proclaimed 'progressive' is showing her real colors and swirving to the rght. Liar, liar pants on fire!
35
Hillary is a vanilla cone--- did anyone really think she'd pick maple with bacon ice cream for a running mate?
V-Ps usually are bland, this is no different. Anyone (the alleged short-sighted Bern supporter) that pouts and doesn't vote because their pet Democrat didn't get nominated or picked risks a serious transformation of this country, for decades.
Hillary and Tim may not be the ideal progressive ticket, but the alternative is inconceivably destructive.
V-Ps usually are bland, this is no different. Anyone (the alleged short-sighted Bern supporter) that pouts and doesn't vote because their pet Democrat didn't get nominated or picked risks a serious transformation of this country, for decades.
Hillary and Tim may not be the ideal progressive ticket, but the alternative is inconceivably destructive.
28
I no longer believe a word that come out of the mouth of a Democrat.
1
The comments today are not surprising; no matter who was chosen, there would be criticism. But people are losing sight of who is on the other side, and they must not. There is a real threat out there, it's called fascism, and it has walked through our door. Do not walk away from the Democrats, they are smart, have the needed experience, and are committed to the country. There is no contest here.
50
Not really sharing the spotlight here. It is predictable, someone to match the wallpaper.
10
No doubt Kaine was hand-selected by Soros and the rest of the ruling class oligarchs that will strive to preserve their power over the People.
20
Trump made the selection of running mate with a lot of hoop la.
hillary did not give anyone a chance to ponder the short list of possibel running mates. Tim an accomplished Governor will be a good VP for our country.
hillary did not give anyone a chance to ponder the short list of possibel running mates. Tim an accomplished Governor will be a good VP for our country.
24
Dear Hillary,
Between this and the news about the DNC emails, I want my donation back! Way to throw the progressive wing of the party out the window.
Now, I just hope some leaks the correspondence between the Clinton campaign, the DNC, and the New York Times editorial office.
Between this and the news about the DNC emails, I want my donation back! Way to throw the progressive wing of the party out the window.
Now, I just hope some leaks the correspondence between the Clinton campaign, the DNC, and the New York Times editorial office.
42
It's surprising that a prior hacker dump of DNC data never made it into The Times. It contained opposition research and talking points on Hillary's controversies. Why didn't The Times report on that?
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/hacker-releases-another-set-...
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/hacker-releases-another-set-...
2
Sanders would have brought millions of votes assuring a landslide win. Warren is a fighter we all like that would have complimented Hillary's weak fighting capability. Now that Hillary has picked a backstage man that will not illuminate the ticket, it is necessary for Hillary to realize she is the lone force of the ticket and must really fight, not act nice, because nice people finish last. Hillary must become the people's champion, not a Madison Avenue dream come true who has nice fancy "Fighting for you" posters and a wave and a smile. This isn't Sesame street. This is the 'hood where the New Yorker is a street fighter and has and will play dirty.
Lose the smile and the packaged persona and get tough. There are millions of us Democrats who are in shock at how the Republicans have become an unhinged lynch mob with a very good chance of winning which means the deaths of many innocent people in the future.
This is about life and death, not Television ratings or policy polls. This is about a Republican versus a democrat. We know the policy positions, but we don't know if Hillary really has the guts to fight. Dignity is good but never won.
Don Trumps appeal is that he is a street fighter. He plays dirty just like the worst of the Republican party back to Nixon. Democrats have traditionally lost being nice and dignified.
Fight Hillary, fight! Millions depend on you. You made a weak choice but you can compensate. Fight Hillary, fight. Smiles never worked.
Lose the smile and the packaged persona and get tough. There are millions of us Democrats who are in shock at how the Republicans have become an unhinged lynch mob with a very good chance of winning which means the deaths of many innocent people in the future.
This is about life and death, not Television ratings or policy polls. This is about a Republican versus a democrat. We know the policy positions, but we don't know if Hillary really has the guts to fight. Dignity is good but never won.
Don Trumps appeal is that he is a street fighter. He plays dirty just like the worst of the Republican party back to Nixon. Democrats have traditionally lost being nice and dignified.
Fight Hillary, fight! Millions depend on you. You made a weak choice but you can compensate. Fight Hillary, fight. Smiles never worked.
21
I love these exhortations from people who have never held public office.
She IS fighting. You just have a teenage boy's notion of what that means.
She IS fighting. You just have a teenage boy's notion of what that means.
6
The idea of "President Trump" terrifies me, but Clinton "strategists" have again shown that they have learned little from being spectacularly wrong about the entire campaign season to date. Kaine is a likeable enough right-center pick, an intelligent choice if, say, Elizabeth Warren was headlining the ticket. He represents at best a squandered opportunity for Clinton. Despite her current poll lead, in my opinion, there's every possibility that she'll lose VA anyway. HRC will get the comfortable Beltway crown out in good numbers, but a combination of an energized Peronist base for Trump and an even-more-energized HATE-Hillary crowd elsewhere in the state will probably doom her there on Election Day. What Kaine will do for HRC from western Pennsylvania through Michigan eludes me. The hay the Trump people will make from Kaine's strong support for the TPP is just a gift.
This contest, between the two people in the US with the highest negatives ever, will rely on turnout in maybe 8 states. Kaine does little for her in any of them. Worse, he will likely depress Bernie's supporters everywhere, showing HRC's reversion to type on how to address economic inequalities (ignore them). Finally, there is a Big Foot quality in these so-called conservo-democrats that HRC is hunting -- oft-cited but not so much physical evidence. You can see a lot of them at Trump rallies, though.
Watch for Nate Silver to drop HRC's odds of winning the election further south in the wake of this choice.
This contest, between the two people in the US with the highest negatives ever, will rely on turnout in maybe 8 states. Kaine does little for her in any of them. Worse, he will likely depress Bernie's supporters everywhere, showing HRC's reversion to type on how to address economic inequalities (ignore them). Finally, there is a Big Foot quality in these so-called conservo-democrats that HRC is hunting -- oft-cited but not so much physical evidence. You can see a lot of them at Trump rallies, though.
Watch for Nate Silver to drop HRC's odds of winning the election further south in the wake of this choice.
18
"Kaine does little for her in any of them." Seriously?
If he delivers Virginia's 13 electoral votes, Trump has a nearly impossible hurdle to surmount.
If he delivers Virginia's 13 electoral votes, Trump has a nearly impossible hurdle to surmount.
3
There are many of us whose first choice for the Democratic presidential nominee was Tim Kaine. Calling him a moderate is incorrect. Kaine is a realistic liberal. He has a long history of championing the rights of the less fortunate among us, and his intellectual ability and knowledge of how government works permit him to get things done.
Hillary Clinton possesses many of the same, admirable qualities of Tim Kaine. She also carries a lot of baggage, nearly all of which is not her fault. That baggage or history, we always knew, would make her candidacy more difficult than we would have faced with Kaine at the top of the ticket.
The team of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine will be formidable in the campaign. More importantly, the two of them will be excellent in governing our republic.
Make no mistake, putting Hillary Clinton in the White House is the only sane alternative Americans now have to the destructive narcissism of Donald Trump.
It became evident in Cleveland that Trump sees himself as the benevolent dictator America needs, and if he wins – with no relevant experience or knowledge of world affairs – he will work hard to eliminate future presidential elections in our nation. President Trump may not succeed in that effort, but he will try. Richard Nixon’s enemies list will seem quaint.
Hillary Clinton possesses many of the same, admirable qualities of Tim Kaine. She also carries a lot of baggage, nearly all of which is not her fault. That baggage or history, we always knew, would make her candidacy more difficult than we would have faced with Kaine at the top of the ticket.
The team of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine will be formidable in the campaign. More importantly, the two of them will be excellent in governing our republic.
Make no mistake, putting Hillary Clinton in the White House is the only sane alternative Americans now have to the destructive narcissism of Donald Trump.
It became evident in Cleveland that Trump sees himself as the benevolent dictator America needs, and if he wins – with no relevant experience or knowledge of world affairs – he will work hard to eliminate future presidential elections in our nation. President Trump may not succeed in that effort, but he will try. Richard Nixon’s enemies list will seem quaint.
42
I'm so sick and tired of progressives feeling like Clinton owes them something by picking a far left VP. You can't simultaneously call Clinton insincere then get mad when she picks someone more in line with her values. The more radical of a VP choice the less independent votes she would garner and have a higher chance of losing the general. Clinton/Kaine may be a moderate ticket to progressives like me, but she is miles to the left of Trump. She is campaigning to win the votes of progressives, independents, and disparaged republicans. But most of all, she is campaigning to win, and Kaine will help her do that.
53
You're correct, Zach. I also think many of the seemingly "anguished progressives" posting here are Trump campaign trolls trying to drive a wedge between Bernie and Hillary supporters.
8
"He always finds reasons for hope and optimism." That is what we need right now. What Trump and Pence have done and will do is only to spread fear, hatred, racism, rudeness and pesimism.
32
I admire people who can speak a foreign language fluently, but no future vice president had better speak Spanish to me, in a room or through a television. America is not a bilingual country. It is an English-speaking country and all those who come to live here learn English, no matter what their native tongue is--German, Polish, Russian, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Croatian, Hebrew, and more. That is way it has always been and every immigrant should be proud to learn, speak and read America's language.
12
I share your admiration for Sen. Kaine's fluency in Spanish, but I would suggest that if he speaks Spanish to the electorate he is not suggesting that we should have a second official language. He is probably recognizing that there are many Americans for whom English is a second language and that speaking to them in their first language shows respect for their heritage and a willingness to work with them to understand the nuances of their concerns and aspirations at a more-than-superficial level. To begin with, he surely understands that Hispanics are not a monolithic group with one culture and one set of political priorities. That's useful knowledge.
10
I'd point out two things:
1. Historically, this simply isn't true: the first explorers, exploiters, and so on spoke Old Norse, and Spanish, and Portugese. Then there was a whole bunch of Dutch and German. You might also want to find out what languages Washington's soldiers spoke. Or at least notice what our cities are named. Here's a hint: "Los Angeles."
2. As somebody who knows a whale of a lot more about English than you do, let me just note that whatever illiterates like Palin and Trump et al are speaking, it sure ain't Jefferson's language.
3. Speaking of assimilation, you lot planning on getting over the Civil War and dropping the states' rights stuff any time soon? You planning on skipping on the hyphenated-nationality holidays for white people? Anything to say about Mike Pence declaring that he is a Christian first, with "American," down the list someplace?
1. Historically, this simply isn't true: the first explorers, exploiters, and so on spoke Old Norse, and Spanish, and Portugese. Then there was a whole bunch of Dutch and German. You might also want to find out what languages Washington's soldiers spoke. Or at least notice what our cities are named. Here's a hint: "Los Angeles."
2. As somebody who knows a whale of a lot more about English than you do, let me just note that whatever illiterates like Palin and Trump et al are speaking, it sure ain't Jefferson's language.
3. Speaking of assimilation, you lot planning on getting over the Civil War and dropping the states' rights stuff any time soon? You planning on skipping on the hyphenated-nationality holidays for white people? Anything to say about Mike Pence declaring that he is a Christian first, with "American," down the list someplace?
4
Shucks. And here I thought that Hillary would take my suggestion and pick Bill as her VP. I mean Bill, having been President, knows all the tricks in Washington (and around the world too) and Hillary could just put a cowbell around his neck to keep him somewhat careful. And while our amended Constitution forbids Presidents to seek a third term, she could fix that by just retiring into her 2nd year. The Republicans would scream of course, but the media would go crazy and the rest of the world would love it. No more fun in politics.
1
Doesn't matter. After this article, which basically says everything I already suspected, I'm done. Not voting. Thankfully, I live 6000 miles away.
"Released Emails Suggest the D.N.C. Derided the Sanders Campaign"
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/23/us/politics/dnc-emails-sanders-clinton...®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Trending&pgtype=article
"Released Emails Suggest the D.N.C. Derided the Sanders Campaign"
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/23/us/politics/dnc-emails-sanders-clinton...®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Trending&pgtype=article
28
Myanmar, huh? You don't have to look far to see what happens when Muslims are singled out for attack. If you want the same thing in the US, go ahead, don't vote.
7
Mrs. Clinton wasted no time lurching right in anticipation of harvesting disaffected Republican voters, presuming she will harvest Democrats of all stripes fleeing Trump. She has miscalculated.
Mrs. Clinton demonstrates a tin ear and problematic memory for recent promises to rein in Wall Street and pull back from TPP, when her new nominee supports those very causes.
Ugly a spectre as Mr. Trump's candidacy, Mrs. Clinton cuts a divisive profile among Democrats -- especially Bernie Sanders supporters. Independents, now the largest voting bloc, show a stark distrust of Mrs. Clinton.
Her chicanery may yet cost her and the Democrats a no-brainer election win.
Mrs. Clinton demonstrates a tin ear and problematic memory for recent promises to rein in Wall Street and pull back from TPP, when her new nominee supports those very causes.
Ugly a spectre as Mr. Trump's candidacy, Mrs. Clinton cuts a divisive profile among Democrats -- especially Bernie Sanders supporters. Independents, now the largest voting bloc, show a stark distrust of Mrs. Clinton.
Her chicanery may yet cost her and the Democrats a no-brainer election win.
29
Hillary Clinton is smart and politically savvy, knowing how to pick the best running mate possible. Tim Kaine's ratings from key progressive groups is nothing short of spectacular: Brady Campaign 100%, Human Rights Campaign 100%, Planned Parenthood 100%, AFL CIO 96% & NAACP 96%.
Predictably, Donald Trump quickly tweeted what a horrible person Tim Kaine is. Equally as predictable, the Bernie Bro crowd had already written their boilerplate dismissal and hate tweets of any of Mrs. Clinton's VP official picks not named Bernie or Elizabeth long ago when Mrs. Clinton was winning in the primary, ready to hit "send" as soon as she made the announcement. As much as I hold Elizabeth Warren in such high regard and earlier, even momentarily fantasized about an all female Democratic ticket, I don't believe Ms Warren would have been the best strategic choice for Ms Clinton. Imagining a female president is a grand canyon size leap for some voters; an all female Democratic ticket might have pushed more voters to embrace Trump. The choice of Kaine feels very appropriate.
I have long ago concluded that anyone both Donald Trump and the Bernie Bros dislikes, must be an exceptional individual that I will enthusiastically & unconditionally support 100%,
Predictably, Donald Trump quickly tweeted what a horrible person Tim Kaine is. Equally as predictable, the Bernie Bro crowd had already written their boilerplate dismissal and hate tweets of any of Mrs. Clinton's VP official picks not named Bernie or Elizabeth long ago when Mrs. Clinton was winning in the primary, ready to hit "send" as soon as she made the announcement. As much as I hold Elizabeth Warren in such high regard and earlier, even momentarily fantasized about an all female Democratic ticket, I don't believe Ms Warren would have been the best strategic choice for Ms Clinton. Imagining a female president is a grand canyon size leap for some voters; an all female Democratic ticket might have pushed more voters to embrace Trump. The choice of Kaine feels very appropriate.
I have long ago concluded that anyone both Donald Trump and the Bernie Bros dislikes, must be an exceptional individual that I will enthusiastically & unconditionally support 100%,
34
Oh yeah. Let's thumb our noses at progressives! Let's do away with all vestiges of the party of FDR -- and insult the Bernie supporters while we're at it. Sure way to win the election, right?
6
Hillary quickly tweeted things against Pence as well. Only see one side don't you? I wish she would have picked Warren, a sure loss for Hillary. This country would never elect two shrill, whinny women on one ticket. Fantasy it is, it will never happen. It would be beyond annoying and I am a woman.
1
Kaine ... a neocon on wars abroad, a neolib at home ... exactly what Bernie spoke out against & why millions voted for Bernie. HRC is already repudiating the Bernie-influenced platform. Her Wall St backers are happy ... Bernie's voters rather less so.
26
The VP pick for me is pretty close to meaningless.
In November when I mail in my election form, 99% of my thinking will be:
"Do I vote for the first potential dictator in our nation's history?"
Of course not! Hillary and this dude have my vote.
I hope voters in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia ask themselves that same question.
In November when I mail in my election form, 99% of my thinking will be:
"Do I vote for the first potential dictator in our nation's history?"
Of course not! Hillary and this dude have my vote.
I hope voters in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia ask themselves that same question.
22
Clinton reminds me of the politician in Taxi. Both have a talent for saying bland, vacuous things in a loud voice. Her speech tonight was horrible. I don't know enough about Kaine to comment.
6
Kaine accepted clothes, vacation as gifts
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/tim-kaine-virginia-veep-mcdonnell-...
But small change compared to the Clintons, only $160,000 in gifts as governor. Supports TPP and bank deregulation, sound "centrist" pick and sure to attract progressives and millennials (not). Another unforced error and another reason to sit this one out.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/tim-kaine-virginia-veep-mcdonnell-...
But small change compared to the Clintons, only $160,000 in gifts as governor. Supports TPP and bank deregulation, sound "centrist" pick and sure to attract progressives and millennials (not). Another unforced error and another reason to sit this one out.
14
Your article specifically says that Tim Kaine broke no laws, fully disclosed what he got, and gave nothing back by way of quid pro quo.
It must be nice to be lily-white and simon-pure.
It must be nice to be lily-white and simon-pure.
4
Donald Trump truly loves the woman he is with: unlike Bill Clinton…or Hillary.
11
For the moment anyway -- he's discarded two previous wives. Sticking together despite the hardest of times: do not the Clinton's embody what the right professes about marriage and commitment despite events (for better or for worse)?
And what does that have to do with governing a country anyway?
And what does that have to do with governing a country anyway?
6
According to the Huffington Post,"Kaine signed two letters on Monday urging federal regulators to go easy on banks ― one to help big banks dodge risk management rules, and another to help small banks avoid consumer protection standards." that along with his support for trade deals like TPP make him a questionable pick. With this pick and all of Hillary's speeches to big banks it shows what her agenda will be.
17
A bum - that's what anyone is who serves the traitor and influence peddlers Clintons. Perverts who've sold us out. Wake up America.
8
Well if you needed any more proof that Hillary's "gestures" to the left, were empty, picking another Third Way Dem as her VP cinches it. This isn't going to win her any more votes, and if she does win, it opens up another Senate seat that could swing to the Republicans. She's not as smart as she thinks she is.
18
You know who the country doesn't like?
The ideological purity from Trump's and Sanders's extreme wings.
All the crying about how Clinton is out of touch with progressives is mind-numbingly naive. What's the point of acting informed when you aren't informed? Go to her website. Take a cup of coffee - it is quite detailed with her plans - and then ask yourselves why you oppose her agenda of universal health care, helping overturn Citizens United, and expanding family leave, among a full array of other progressive policies.
Besides, Mao and Stalin were revolutionaries and look where it got their respective countries. Change for the sake of change is for children. Real progress takes time if it is to be permanent.
There is more to the presidency than de-regulating banks. Clinton is shrewd, experienced, knowledgeable, and made of teflon, and she has handled continued, unearned scrutiny better than anyone else could have.
As another commenter wrote in this forum, Sanders's supporters have never had to endure their candidate being combed through and thus can go on about their merry way, convinced he is perfect and above criticism.
Must be lonely at the top.
The ideological purity from Trump's and Sanders's extreme wings.
All the crying about how Clinton is out of touch with progressives is mind-numbingly naive. What's the point of acting informed when you aren't informed? Go to her website. Take a cup of coffee - it is quite detailed with her plans - and then ask yourselves why you oppose her agenda of universal health care, helping overturn Citizens United, and expanding family leave, among a full array of other progressive policies.
Besides, Mao and Stalin were revolutionaries and look where it got their respective countries. Change for the sake of change is for children. Real progress takes time if it is to be permanent.
There is more to the presidency than de-regulating banks. Clinton is shrewd, experienced, knowledgeable, and made of teflon, and she has handled continued, unearned scrutiny better than anyone else could have.
As another commenter wrote in this forum, Sanders's supporters have never had to endure their candidate being combed through and thus can go on about their merry way, convinced he is perfect and above criticism.
Must be lonely at the top.
44
I don't know enough about Kaine but seems a good choice. I find it hypocritical that everyone complains about Hillary pandering to the left just for Bernie voters and not being sincere or honest. If she picked a more leftist candidate that WOULD be pandering and not sincere. It would be good if the NYT provided more details on Kaine's actual votes and positions especially as a lot of commentators here complain about this being a pro Wall Street and republican ticket. Things are not so black and white and if one reads his positions on the regulation of the financial industry we can see he is pro-regulation of the big commercial banks. He does believe the small local banks should not be required to follow those same standards which probably makes sense. Otherwise all of our smaller local banks will close and be replaced by the behemoth commercial banks. On all his major positions he is certainly clearly a democrat. So really perplexed by those Bernie supporters not seeing any difference with republicans.
19
I don't know who it is that Hillary is planning to have vote for her in November, but I assume it's not the 45% of us who made it clear we want someone progressive on the ticket. On the same day the DNC's "neutrality" was unambiguously revealed as the sham we all knew it was, Hillary's response was not to try to remedy that but rather to rub it in by nominating someone she knows excites nobody. She should have been calling for the firing of every DNC official tied to those emails.
The Democratic party needs to learn that it can't just cynically take us for fools and take our votes for granted. It's sad that they've chosen to abandon us in a year when the alternative is so bad, but that's just more evidence of how poor their judgment is. When Trump is elected, the blame will lie squarely with the Democratic party officials and voters who knowingly pressed ahead with a candidate they know is dishonest, disliked, and wholly inadequate.
So good luck to the Democrats in winning an election based on the votes of people who genuinely like being lied to. I for one have to draw a line. Trump will probably win regardless because he polls are probably understating his support by a good 5% or so, and Hillary is already at her ceiling. I will not let my vote help cynical party hacks think that they were close in this election.
They could literally have nominated anybody other than Hillary and crushed Trump. Why are they foisting her on us?
The Democratic party needs to learn that it can't just cynically take us for fools and take our votes for granted. It's sad that they've chosen to abandon us in a year when the alternative is so bad, but that's just more evidence of how poor their judgment is. When Trump is elected, the blame will lie squarely with the Democratic party officials and voters who knowingly pressed ahead with a candidate they know is dishonest, disliked, and wholly inadequate.
So good luck to the Democrats in winning an election based on the votes of people who genuinely like being lied to. I for one have to draw a line. Trump will probably win regardless because he polls are probably understating his support by a good 5% or so, and Hillary is already at her ceiling. I will not let my vote help cynical party hacks think that they were close in this election.
They could literally have nominated anybody other than Hillary and crushed Trump. Why are they foisting her on us?
25
It's clear to me that Hillary Clinton hasn't learned a thing from a long and hard primary campaign against Bernie Sanders - and in a way against the 10 million voters who supported him. She feels safe in saying, "who else are they gonna vote for? That sociopath?" An arrogant and dismissive - and dangerous - attitude she picked up from her husband and Obama.
This does not bode well for the election - Clinton got fewer votes than she did in 2008. While Donald Trump got more votes in his primary contest than Sanders did and against far more opponents.
Which in itself doesn't say much of anything good about the political intelligence of a scarily large swath of American voters - given that they voted for a sociopath who loves being a sociopath and cannot be anything but a sociopath.
This does not bode well for the election - Clinton got fewer votes than she did in 2008. While Donald Trump got more votes in his primary contest than Sanders did and against far more opponents.
Which in itself doesn't say much of anything good about the political intelligence of a scarily large swath of American voters - given that they voted for a sociopath who loves being a sociopath and cannot be anything but a sociopath.
16
That "attitude" got her husband and Obama elected four times to the highest office in the land.
3
Like everything else Clinton, a strategic addition to a resume for President. What's a nice guy like Tim doing in a place like that.
8
Hillary & Tim--Republicans must be thrilled. Koch is excited and so are the neocons and neoliberals. The special interests and lobbyists will donate freely.
Democrats in name only, reflecting the Republicans of my youth.
Pro-TPP, pro further deregulation of banks, opposition to pay day lending regulations.
Tim just signed a letter along with 50 Republicans seeking further deregulation of the banks. Does that bother anyone, or are we now supposed to support bank deregulation? Let the rationalizers begin.
Democrats in name only, reflecting the Republicans of my youth.
Pro-TPP, pro further deregulation of banks, opposition to pay day lending regulations.
Tim just signed a letter along with 50 Republicans seeking further deregulation of the banks. Does that bother anyone, or are we now supposed to support bank deregulation? Let the rationalizers begin.
19
The Bernie supporters need to read the platform more carefully and listen to what Hillary and Tim Kaine are saying.
They both agree that TPP needs changing and are against the way it is written . It is in the platform. The Bernie people need to start thinking about the seriousness of a Trump president and understand that what they are wanting will not only disappear into the sunset, but we may lose our democracy, end up in a Civil War and the damage will be long and difficult .
Much of what the Bernie people want has been added to the platform.... With a Trump president what part of what they want would ever succeed.
They both agree that TPP needs changing and are against the way it is written . It is in the platform. The Bernie people need to start thinking about the seriousness of a Trump president and understand that what they are wanting will not only disappear into the sunset, but we may lose our democracy, end up in a Civil War and the damage will be long and difficult .
Much of what the Bernie people want has been added to the platform.... With a Trump president what part of what they want would ever succeed.
26
As a Virginian I can tell you that the selection of Tim Kaine throws the switch for me - I'm all in for the Kaine/Clinton ticket. He's the first serious entrant in the 2016 election. Hillary was the TImes's and the media's choice four years ago and the Democratic establishment's choice four years ago - and all else was derivative from those preferences. Her policies are fine - I'm a centrist and she and Bill before her are centrists too - but she, her husband, and the Democratic mafia that surrounds them are quick to reshape the truth to their purposes and have never shown themselves to be as good at governing as they are at campaigning. Kaine is a terrific centrist choice. He trumps the right's claim on religion - I'll hold his commitment to his faith up against anyone's, it's just a different view of Christ as a compassionate and loving God instead of a judgmental and narrow one - and his policies are realistic, balanced, and progressive. He recognizes the limits of government (which are not the limits the GOP would put on government - but there are limits). He recognizes the positive effects government can have on our lives too. He recognizes science. He takes on the truth with integrity instead of "spin." Tim Kaine get's my vote and I'll give it to Hillary too because that is the lay of the land this year.
38
So a pair of Ivy League lawyers, East Coast limousine liberals, who are in bed with banks and globalists. Worrisome news for Middle America -- or as they say amongst themselves at a Georgetown or Hamptons party, "fly-over country."
31
they say that at scarsdale do's as well
7
I see many people badmouth Kaine, and want somebody instead who could talk the talk, look sexy, and give fiery speeches. Well, we have someone who could do all the talk (and he has just proved it at his peril) but cannot walk the walk. No sane observer of the political landscape of today thinks Donald can deliver even one percent of what he tells everybody he is going do. May be he could screw up some important things with the help of Mitchell and the likes of him! Consider him and go down the history as an undiluted fool.
Bernie and Warren are voicing my ideas, so was Obama eight years ago (to me he has done well under the circumstances—racist people could not stomach a black man being the President and tied up his hands from day one.. Does anyone remember, or have all forgotten the loyal sabotaging party in the shape of Mitchel and now plus Ryan? I do believe Clinton and Kaine is a good enough political team to render the Republican do-nothings ineffectual, and unlike Obama Clinton can call these miscreants how she sees them.
Bernie and Warren are voicing my ideas, so was Obama eight years ago (to me he has done well under the circumstances—racist people could not stomach a black man being the President and tied up his hands from day one.. Does anyone remember, or have all forgotten the loyal sabotaging party in the shape of Mitchel and now plus Ryan? I do believe Clinton and Kaine is a good enough political team to render the Republican do-nothings ineffectual, and unlike Obama Clinton can call these miscreants how she sees them.
24
Tim Kaine has hundreds of thousands of dollars of disclosures showing his taking gifts, dinners, vacations from corporations that then benefited from policies under Kaine's administration in Virginia. Teva the pharma company gave Kaine over $12,000, and within two years Teva gets tax breaks worth $900,000 to build a plant in Virginia.
Tim Kaine represents everything that is wrong with America today. Different rules for the 1%, different "technically legal" ways to make money for the 1%, all the while pretending to be serving the little people.
A Clinton-Kaine ticket has to be the most tone deaf political campaign in a century.
For more on the Kaine gifts scandal that the NYT won't report: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-kaine-gifts-s...
Tim Kaine represents everything that is wrong with America today. Different rules for the 1%, different "technically legal" ways to make money for the 1%, all the while pretending to be serving the little people.
A Clinton-Kaine ticket has to be the most tone deaf political campaign in a century.
For more on the Kaine gifts scandal that the NYT won't report: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-kaine-gifts-s...
24
I had a brief moment of disappointment when I heard HRC's choice, but it was very brief (I, too, had wanted excitement). Tim Kaine was a great governor, and is a man of excellent character. He is also a faithful Catholic, but wears his religion lightly, not trying to impose it on others. His religious faith might actually work to bring in those for whom religious faith is an important consideration to think seriously of voting for this ticket. There are many religious conservatives who are dismayed by Trump and his grotesque positions and behaviors. We'll see. But do give TK a chance; you might be pleasantly surprised.
36
Looking at Trum during the primaries and the convention who has spread hatred anger and racism, let's find ways to hope and optimism. Do not let them Trump and GOP poison our community and ruin our civilization. Vote for your conscience.
10
Clinton camp discussed the idea of delaying the announcement due to the Munich attack but then reasoned that "Hey- good chance tomorrow could be worse..."
2
Neither Sanders nor Warren were ever going to be the VP choices and they knew it.
Sanders, as a life-long outsider, played and has a role to play going forward. Warren, a neophyte, also has a role to play. Both need to stay in Congress and work for a more progressive agenda.
Kaine ?? Don't know him.... I was impress by Stavridis and hope to, eventually, see him in the cabinet.
From the look of things, among the rare 'normal' voters this cycle, Kaine has no glaring negatives and several comforting positives. But we vote for the nominee, not the VP, and there is NO CONTEST.
Hillary, a talented, hard-working politician, versus trump, who is, to my eyes, deeply psychotic.
I love our flawed and struggling country.
I won't abandon it.
I'm with HER.
Sanders, as a life-long outsider, played and has a role to play going forward. Warren, a neophyte, also has a role to play. Both need to stay in Congress and work for a more progressive agenda.
Kaine ?? Don't know him.... I was impress by Stavridis and hope to, eventually, see him in the cabinet.
From the look of things, among the rare 'normal' voters this cycle, Kaine has no glaring negatives and several comforting positives. But we vote for the nominee, not the VP, and there is NO CONTEST.
Hillary, a talented, hard-working politician, versus trump, who is, to my eyes, deeply psychotic.
I love our flawed and struggling country.
I won't abandon it.
I'm with HER.
29
Warren and Biden, you are going to regret your decision to stand down when Ivanka is named Secretary of State by her father.
10
OK progressives... given the political landscape who would you have chosen? Sanders and Warren as leaders are better staying put in the Senate. By selecting Sherrod Brown the Dems would have lost a senate seat, something we cannot afford. Kaine is an intelligent, kind man; with Jesuit training he has a strong foundation in social justice. He has consistently supported bills and philosophies that help the poor and disenfranchised. He has taken on the NRA and although he is a strong Catholic he respects women's reproductive rights. Great pick!
30
What an inspiring ticket — a Yale lawyer who's never had a real job and a Harvard lawyer who's never had a real job.
23
One more proof the Democrats chose to double down its bet on the establishment - the same establishment the American people hates since 2003/2008.
I understand the line of thought of the 'Habermasianesque' theory of centrism a lot of people here are talking about here. But if this mythical "center-wing" politics really existed in the USA, there would be no Trump, no Sanders etc. to begin with.
What the American people nowadays calls "center" - the consensus that begun with Ronald Reagan and lasted until the Barrack Obama - is crumbling, there's no consensus anymore; and if there's no national consensus, there's no center ground, since center ground presupposes consensus. The solution is doing one step forward (Bernie Sanders) or one step backwards (Donald Trump) - the status quo is unsustainable in the medium-long term.
I understand the line of thought of the 'Habermasianesque' theory of centrism a lot of people here are talking about here. But if this mythical "center-wing" politics really existed in the USA, there would be no Trump, no Sanders etc. to begin with.
What the American people nowadays calls "center" - the consensus that begun with Ronald Reagan and lasted until the Barrack Obama - is crumbling, there's no consensus anymore; and if there's no national consensus, there's no center ground, since center ground presupposes consensus. The solution is doing one step forward (Bernie Sanders) or one step backwards (Donald Trump) - the status quo is unsustainable in the medium-long term.
8
All she does is farming votes, left and right
7
Old Party may not fair well against Trump. Hillary is playing it too safe and it may cost her. Boring. Zzzzzzz.
6
It's wonderful that Tim Kaine is fluent in Spanish, but that's not a qualification for Vice-President. Why do the news media put this forward as an asset? No sane Hispanic voter will vote for Trump.
I wonder if choosing a "Centrist" will really help Hillary's chances? Will Kane really attract all those "Anyone but Trump" voters or turn off all those Bernie supporters?
I wonder if choosing a "Centrist" will really help Hillary's chances? Will Kane really attract all those "Anyone but Trump" voters or turn off all those Bernie supporters?
6
Kaine and Hillary are a real snooze fest. Two fat cat big government bloated establishment do nothing democrats. She should have picked Bernie. Now I have no choice but to vote Trump.
16
I am saddened she did not choose Cory Booker. Once again she passes over a black person as she knows blacks have no where to go. She takes corporate interests over people that need help. I am a life long Democrat but that is it, I just can't support her. I even had a "Hillary" lawn sign and I am taking it up today. I am out.
11
Well said. My Hillary placards are in permanent storage. This is another slap in the face to African Americans. Remember her "super predator" comment? She is so insensitive.
9
He executed prisoners he could have spared. Not particularly progressive, or even Catholic for that matter. Bill Clinton did the same and he is beloved. Do we have no decency?
14
She could run with Charles Manson and we'd still be better off than having that vulgar, bigoted, know-nothing Trump charlatan anywhere near DC.
21
Let's wait a minute before we relapse on stock political responses. Seems to me that a young man who volunteers at a mission in Honduras is taking a stand for the oppressed in a totally palpable manner. And learning the language of people who are "foreign" to us is the sincerest form of respect for them. Who are we? We carp about the flamboyant Trumpster and then do the same about the measured Mr. Kaine? I don't think so.
31
Kaine is not that young man anymore. He seems to be a man who was willing to compromise decency and beliefs, such as his use of the death penalty, if it would gain him votes.
1
Never Hillery!
Vote Green Party!!!
Vote Green Party!!!
13
You mean Vote Trump, right? Because that's what you'll be doing.
10
Next........
6
Hmm... Stone deaf! People are fed up with status quo and want changes. They are voting for Trump, not because he is an excellent presidential candidate, but he is anti-establishment, anti-trade deals and pro-jobs etc. It is stupid to underestimate his appeal and maintain the same old same old. Instead of choosing Warren or Sanders, she doubles down on Kaine. Sorry, we are all going to regret it when Trump wins on a wave of discontentment sweeping the nation. So be it.
14
Kaine is an uninspiring choice. He is also a relatively conservative corporate democrat who voted to fast track the TPP and supports offshore drilling. If anything he, and the arrogantly naive overconfidence of many who think this as a great choice sets us on the disastrous road to a Trump presidency.
13
After hundreds of weeks of presidential campaigning, both VPs are chosen with ten days of one another. Crazy. Even more crazy is the fact that VPs, like SC justices, must go through a maddeningly thorough pre-screening process - - imagine any recent presidential candidate enduring/passing such a test. What a weird process.
1
It's just baffling why it took so long to pick an apparent running mate. Calculating Hillary as always? Clinton must be thanking God there is a Tim Kaine. And currently no one is more qualified for VP than Kaine.
2
Baffling? It's pretty much always announced right before the convention.
5
Have gotten so weary hearing about "why" the liberal wing of the Democratic Party believes they're entitled to a Sanders-Warren clone on the ticket just because their candidate came in second (2nd) place. Obviously, they've forgotten that to be able to govern you have to first win a general election
Kaine was not my first choice. I thought HRC should have been bold and selected a western state governor like Colorado's Hickenlooper. But Kaine is a safe bet in an election year when it's HRC's election to loose and I don't want the VP pick to become the day-in, day-out story.
So to all the bleeding hearts that would prefer Trump to win by default and appoint the next 3 - 4 Supreme Court Justices, please vote for Stein and stop the moaning and groaning. Perhaps you'll get lucky and replicate the results of those that voted for Nader in the Bush-Gore election. Those people were able to pat themselves on the back for remaining philosophically pure and the country got stuck with George W. for eight (8) years.
Kaine was not my first choice. I thought HRC should have been bold and selected a western state governor like Colorado's Hickenlooper. But Kaine is a safe bet in an election year when it's HRC's election to loose and I don't want the VP pick to become the day-in, day-out story.
So to all the bleeding hearts that would prefer Trump to win by default and appoint the next 3 - 4 Supreme Court Justices, please vote for Stein and stop the moaning and groaning. Perhaps you'll get lucky and replicate the results of those that voted for Nader in the Bush-Gore election. Those people were able to pat themselves on the back for remaining philosophically pure and the country got stuck with George W. for eight (8) years.
24
Put down the talking points for a moment. What many of us fear is that Hillary is going to lose to Trump because her brand of cynical, cautious politics will not be enough. So it's not a matter of entitlement -- although it could be since we now know for certain the DNC was putting a thumb on the scales for Hillary all along. Rather, she is going to lose, and we would like her to start making choices that will make her less likely to lose.
Excellent Democratic ticket! Now let's get a good progressive Congress to work with them!
19
Estimates are that about 14.4% of registered Democrats voted in the primaries. Yes, these include the engaged, the passionate and, often, those who hold the most extreme positions. Of course, Hillary would like to win the votes of the approximately 43% percentage of that group who voted Bernie. (What's that, 6% or so of eligible Democratic voters?). But also important are the 85.6% of voters registered Democrat, and any Republicans who are as horrified as I am of the other ticket, who sat out the primaries. Tim Kaine may not be "exciting" to those at the extremes, but there's an awful lot of middle path people looking for the common ground desperately needed to govern our country.
22
Mrs. Clinton claimed she has a "responsibility gene"?!?! Who is she trying to kid, that horse has left the barn when James Comey dressed her down for her irresponsibility with respect to the e-mail fraud.
14
listening to her talk makes me ill.
19
Trump's support seemingly shot up from nowhere, an eruption of folks threatened by rapid social and economic changes that left them with lost status, lost jobs and lost hopes, and many also fearful of terrorism and violence on the streets. They blame their plight on immigrants and the urban elites, the scapegoats du jour
In desperation, they seek a strongman to reverse the causes of their despair.
This authoritarian surge has only recently been understood by scholars in the field. In order to make sense of what's going on in our politics, today, and fully to appreciate the strength of Trump's support, I recommend the following:
"The Rise of American Authoritarianism," Vox, http://tinyurl.com/zd3omo5
"When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism," The American Interest, http://wp.me/p4ja0Z-Apc
"All Hollowed Out," The Atlantic, http://tinyurl.com/hrpwrlx
"This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like," Politico, http://tinyurl.com/go9ae3n
In desperation, they seek a strongman to reverse the causes of their despair.
This authoritarian surge has only recently been understood by scholars in the field. In order to make sense of what's going on in our politics, today, and fully to appreciate the strength of Trump's support, I recommend the following:
"The Rise of American Authoritarianism," Vox, http://tinyurl.com/zd3omo5
"When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism," The American Interest, http://wp.me/p4ja0Z-Apc
"All Hollowed Out," The Atlantic, http://tinyurl.com/hrpwrlx
"This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like," Politico, http://tinyurl.com/go9ae3n
10
The banks are well represented with the Clinton - Kaine combo. Bernie supporters have been left for dead.
16
VP pick is of little consequence (either party), no matter how the picks may be spun. The choice is Trump or Clinton, and that is all that interests.
5
Yawn. She went soft, boring and safe. Kaine is Caspar Milquetoast personified. I guess she hopes his supposed likability will help with how unlikable she is, but it doesn't change anything for me. Cory Booker as one example, would have been a a far better choice. No thank you, Mrs.Clinton.
10
Hooray for Hillary the untrustworthy war-monger. Kudos to the DNC for successfully rigging the primary in favor of a Wall Street and Military Industrial Complex lackey. How thrilling her pick of Tim Kaine who wishes to further remove banking laws and who himself is loved by weapons manufacturing lobbyists.
This country is rotting.
This country is rotting.
21
I'm very happy with her choice. She's making smart moves! Go Hillary! Clinton/Kaine has an excellent ring to it!
13
Tim Kaine wiil help win Virginga and draw disaffected Repiblican's. The left wing Democrats vote for Hilary Clinton and Tim Kaine or not vote and make it easier for Donald Trump to win. This is a very important election
8
A strategic choice on many fronts, showing the kind of consideration and determination to build a real governing platform for the Exec branch in 2017 and beyond. I admire this decision, and will support it with my vote. I have been dismayed by conversations among my acquaintances who are focused on the sound and the fury so far this election cycle, and the pithy little epithets that Trump flings around as Hillary, in the face of many headwinds just shows us again that she can get it done.
11
Doubling down on the status quo. Goldman Sachs couldn't be happier.
19
This election will revolve around the TPP, immigration and honesty.
Kaine is for the TPP. Hillary turned her back on the accord when running against Bernie, but the DNC adopted a pro-TPP platform. It's easy to imagine Hillary re-adopting the "pro" position--I do not think she ever gave it up.
Hilllary and Bill's wealth, and their friendship with multi-national corporations -- Monsanto, Big Oil, Big Pharma, ConAg, et al -- huge donors to Bill's Foundation, will lead to her re-supporting the TPP.
Since Kaine and Clinton both supported banking deregulation, and since Bernie is no longer on the scene to push them to the left, banks will have more time to continue their rapacious ways.
People of color may vote for the Dems, as both have decent civil rights records, and Kaine speaks Spanish. But with Trump so vehemently against immigrants, and so effectively tapping into people's fear of the "other", how can the Dems effectively justify a pro-immigrant plan and calm fears at the same time?
Trump supporters love his "Law and Order" platform. Europe's ISIS-driven terrorist attacks (the US has had 3 -- 9/11, San Bernadino and Orlando) only fuel fear.
It will be up to Clinton and Kaine to convince voters that they are not pro-TPP, that they do not favor continued banking deregulation and that their pro-immigration plan is safe and sound.
If they ever get to speak to the subjects of unemployment, healthcare, education or incarceration rates, it will be a bonus.
Kaine is for the TPP. Hillary turned her back on the accord when running against Bernie, but the DNC adopted a pro-TPP platform. It's easy to imagine Hillary re-adopting the "pro" position--I do not think she ever gave it up.
Hilllary and Bill's wealth, and their friendship with multi-national corporations -- Monsanto, Big Oil, Big Pharma, ConAg, et al -- huge donors to Bill's Foundation, will lead to her re-supporting the TPP.
Since Kaine and Clinton both supported banking deregulation, and since Bernie is no longer on the scene to push them to the left, banks will have more time to continue their rapacious ways.
People of color may vote for the Dems, as both have decent civil rights records, and Kaine speaks Spanish. But with Trump so vehemently against immigrants, and so effectively tapping into people's fear of the "other", how can the Dems effectively justify a pro-immigrant plan and calm fears at the same time?
Trump supporters love his "Law and Order" platform. Europe's ISIS-driven terrorist attacks (the US has had 3 -- 9/11, San Bernadino and Orlando) only fuel fear.
It will be up to Clinton and Kaine to convince voters that they are not pro-TPP, that they do not favor continued banking deregulation and that their pro-immigration plan is safe and sound.
If they ever get to speak to the subjects of unemployment, healthcare, education or incarceration rates, it will be a bonus.
5
"Trash Talk Trump."
4
It's important to remember in this 24/7 mind numbing chaos known as our presidential elections to ignore minutia, noise, and dark negativity and instead maintain an open mind and critical thought and vote for the nominee and the nominee's chosen partner who are clearly the most qualified, have the most relevant governing/government/domestic/foreign policy experiences and wisdom, the most level temperament, emotional stability and overall the right stuff to successfully and rationally serve as president, commander in chief and leader of the free world.
14
I think Hillary picked a partner true to her fundamental goal as president: Good governance. I am thrilled she has picked someone who has worked steadily, persistently, and effectively toward our common purpose.
20
Great!
I've always been a true leftie, but I've supported Clinton from the start of this election cycle. A sensible centrist government is exactly what our country needs right now to try to heal up the great divide in Congress, the Supreme Court, and our population.
Let's get back to the place where Republicans and Democrats can talk calmly about ideas again and solve problems -- back in away from the fringes. It's no time to go socialist, fascist neither.
I've always been a true leftie, but I've supported Clinton from the start of this election cycle. A sensible centrist government is exactly what our country needs right now to try to heal up the great divide in Congress, the Supreme Court, and our population.
Let's get back to the place where Republicans and Democrats can talk calmly about ideas again and solve problems -- back in away from the fringes. It's no time to go socialist, fascist neither.
22
If you don't like the candidate, vote the platform.
Comparisons between the two party's platforms makes the choice quite stark and exceptionally easy.
Comparisons between the two party's platforms makes the choice quite stark and exceptionally easy.
27
I admit to wishing for a more exciting candidate, but it's good to see the Democrats facing the GOP circus with a team that clearly are the grownups in the room. I was happy to vote for Kaine for governor and Senator for VA, and will gladly vote for him again this November. And Bernie acolytes, I know you worship the man, but 2nd banana on the ticket wouldn't have suited him, though it would have made for a more entertaining debate!
14
So, she picks a white guy who can speak Spanish. That will really help when he frequents Mexican restaurants in the future. He will really sound like a regular. Now he only needs to get a good tan, dye his hair black and grow a thin black mustache. Hillary's secret weapon for the Hispanic vote, El-Kaine! By this articles reckoning, Hillary would have even fared better if she had picked someone who was a black transexual laid off coalminer who resently had made billions in the renewable energy buisness. But sence that was an imposible find, they settled for the next best thing. A white guy who speaks spanish.
9
Quite frankly, Hillary Clinton could have named Spong Bob Square Pants as her running mate and I would still vote for her over Donald Trump.
26
Hey, I like Sponge Bob Square Pants. He is a really nice guy. The only problem is that he is fictional character.
1
She could have named Gandhi and I would still sit this one out.
11
Hahaha. I don't think SBSP is a citizen. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he lives in a pineapple under the sea. I do think, though, from his experience at the Krusty Krab, he definitely understands the average working man/woman.
As to your original comment, I feel the same way.
As to your original comment, I feel the same way.
6
If Tim Kaine is the difference for Sanders supporters between voting for Clinton or Trump then either they weren't paying attention to Sanders or they aren't paying attention to Trump. A liberal socialist who wants to raise taxes on the 1%, who wants to have taxes on financial transactions, who believes in racial equality and tolerance, who wants to build on President Obama's immigration policy to unite families and provide assistance for college affordability is hardly the alternative to a race-baiting, trickle down economics, xenophobic con-man. Seriously, if Tim Kaine makes you go Trump you were never paying attention in the first place.
28
Sen. Kaine isn't as entirely as progressive as I would prefer but neither is Hillary seeing as I supported Bernie until Hillary clinched the nomination this spring,at which point I switched my support to Hillary.But I consider him a good choice because the two are a comfortable fit together in contrast to how awkward and uncomfortable Trump and Pence appear together.
Preibus should get his own political house in order before deriding the "fractured Democratic base " by reminding Trump ,who yesterday continued attacking Cruz ,that the primaries are over.Trump possibly hurt himself doing so in states Cruz won during the primaries.
I watched Hillary's Tampa speech and it was the best one I've ever seen her give;so opoptomistic for one thing,a very refreshing contrast to the 4 days of gloom,doom and hate in Cleveland.If this was a preview of the rest of her campaign she'll kick Trump's rump.
Preibus should get his own political house in order before deriding the "fractured Democratic base " by reminding Trump ,who yesterday continued attacking Cruz ,that the primaries are over.Trump possibly hurt himself doing so in states Cruz won during the primaries.
I watched Hillary's Tampa speech and it was the best one I've ever seen her give;so opoptomistic for one thing,a very refreshing contrast to the 4 days of gloom,doom and hate in Cleveland.If this was a preview of the rest of her campaign she'll kick Trump's rump.
29
I hope so. I absolutely dread a Trump presidency.
10
Hillary could have chosen someone who would be more entertaining during the next three months; she could have pandered to Latinos, African Americans, or the far left. Instead, she chose the person she thinks will make the best VP and can immediately step into the position of POTUS if needed. That's called integrity. Go Clinton/Kaine!
17
I like the smiles on both faces-- they look genuine.
18
Unless I missed it, there is no mention of the fact that Kaine is (privately) pro-life. What are the implications of that for Supreme Court picks, especially if he were to become President? How does Planned Parenthood feel about the choice?
5
Planned Parenthood is good with him. They tweeted the following message last night: "@HillaryClinton picked @timkaine — a leader in fighting for equity & justice — as her VP nominee. #PPAct4Hillary"
12
Planned Parenthood has given him a 100% rating because of
his votes on funding Planned Parenthood.
his votes on funding Planned Parenthood.
15
The boosters @ the Daily Clinton-formerly NYT-are euphoric.
Just like they did before one single vote was cast in the primaries, they are now celebrating victory three month before the elections.
I wonder what they will do on Nov 8th, when Trump wins by double digits.
Just like they did before one single vote was cast in the primaries, they are now celebrating victory three month before the elections.
I wonder what they will do on Nov 8th, when Trump wins by double digits.
8
Another Ivy League elitist
10
Yeah went to one of them fancy colleges, with all their book readin' and know-it-all professors. They think they're so smart. It's un-American, that's whut.
6
Sean: you left out that Kaine had the audacity to learn a "foreign" language.
1
As a moderate, Republican leaning independent; the selection of Tim Kaine by HRC is a deciding factor for me to vote for the Dem ticket. He was a good, solid Governor here in Va.
16
It is as if it were still 1992 instead of 2016, and Democrats were still determined to shed the legacies of Michael Dukakis, Jimmy Carter, and especially George McGovern, by going conservative. It will win elections for Democrats in what they perceive as a center-right country, but at the cost of their progressive souls.
5
The Bernie and Warren in-crowd have no concept of how to win in order to advance their cause. If their "revolution" were such a movement, Bernie would be the presumptive nominee today. There's a reason he's not. He didn't have enough votes, not even within the left.
Methinks they'd rather march locked step in a suicide march towards November and then stew in their purity while Trump is their president, rather than compromise to have Hillary who at least could be persuaded to advance at least a part of their agenda.
Methinks they'd rather march locked step in a suicide march towards November and then stew in their purity while Trump is their president, rather than compromise to have Hillary who at least could be persuaded to advance at least a part of their agenda.
11
Oh, cut it out. We Bernie supporters will ultimately do the right thing. Your comments are not helpful.
8
The perspective of this comment illustrates how profoundly many Clinton supporters misunderstand the job of a candidate. There is no captive audience of Bernie voters that will automatically "go" to another candidate in November. The legions of younger voters that Sanders got to turn out need to be turned out again. How on earth is Clinton going to do that with her current plan of triangulating blandness?
It's on her to inspire people. She isn't entitled to anyone's vote.
It's on her to inspire people. She isn't entitled to anyone's vote.
1
I think this was a very smart choice on Clinton's part, and Pence was a very dumb choice on Trump's part. Clinton moves toward swing state, working class values with Kaine, and Trump moves to the right of the electorate with Pence. I don't understand Trump's choice, because Indiana was NEVER going to vote Dem in the first place, so what does Trump gain by that pick? Hillary chose one of the very, very few Dems who has actually personally interacted with working class voters in the past 30 years, and she needs someone like that on her team.
12
This is entirely about turning Red States BLUE. If Tim Cane rallies in Texas with a dual (50/50) speech in Spanish and English telling voter there that they will either be shackling and dragging millions across the Rio Grande or trying to find compassionate solutions to immigration, Texas would turn blue. He could use images of "the trail of tears" as the symbolic comparative and offer intellegent solutions for a humanitarian approach to immigration. His opening line, Trump and Pence cannot build a wall first because that idea only traps the 11 million people here without legal status, so their plan will be to heard them up, shackle them, and drag them across the river, and then build a five hundred foot wall starting 250 feet below ground. They might mimic the Great Wall of China (that killed millions of workers that built the wall) but otherwise did not protect China, by naming the wall, "The Great Wall of TEXAS". Then Tim repeats the same script with the other border states and boom, they loose.
6
I am utterly thrilled by the choice of Tim Kaine. He is profoundly grounded and cheerful, with, like Hillary, a lifetime 'discipline of gratitude.' He has spent his life serving others.
I have particularly noted that his colleagues all say he is the real deal away from the cameras. He has joy. He has an open-heart. He walks the talk. He is sturdy upon the ground. No matter the storm, he perseveres.
I'm somersaulting with this pick. Good for the country. Good for regular folk.
I have particularly noted that his colleagues all say he is the real deal away from the cameras. He has joy. He has an open-heart. He walks the talk. He is sturdy upon the ground. No matter the storm, he perseveres.
I'm somersaulting with this pick. Good for the country. Good for regular folk.
43
So Hillary's choice is from the old white male politician's boy's club she has been railing against.
So, what's the point of electing Hillary?
So, what's the point of electing Hillary?
12
Kaine is able
11
Who? Oh, yeah, I get it. A candidate acceptable to Wall Street. A guy who doesn't need to read Hillary's secret Wall Street speeches in order to fall into lockstep.
14
If Trump is elected, there likely WILL be a 2nd literal "Wall St" located adjacent to our Southern border....
6
I don't think Hillary ever seriously considered choosing Elizabeth Warren. She's using the "triangulation" technique the Clintons used in the 1990s:
1) Pretend like you're going to go progressive,
2) Claim the Right Wing is applying pressure
3) Make a decision that is center-right, preserving the illusion you are progressive by having initially posed as a progressive.
The Clintons used Warren and held out a fish to the Bernie crowd that they snatched away. Warren should feel used. Not a nice way to treat the progressive base. This choice signals how she will govern (same old tricks). Funny that articles keep pointing out that Bill Clinton approved the choice (another weird thing to keep pointing out).
1) Pretend like you're going to go progressive,
2) Claim the Right Wing is applying pressure
3) Make a decision that is center-right, preserving the illusion you are progressive by having initially posed as a progressive.
The Clintons used Warren and held out a fish to the Bernie crowd that they snatched away. Warren should feel used. Not a nice way to treat the progressive base. This choice signals how she will govern (same old tricks). Funny that articles keep pointing out that Bill Clinton approved the choice (another weird thing to keep pointing out).
21
Warren was never in serious consideration because the Dems would lose a Senate seat.
10
Kaine was a safe choice instead of a fighting chance.
4
Dumb and Dumber.
10
what I dont like about Clintons VP choice is ....it only reinforces the side of Clinton I dont like
15
Is there a side of Clinton that doesn't fit with the other? She's all of a piece.
4
With this pick, Mrs. Clinton has made it clear that she intends to roll the progressives and Bernie supporters in the Democratic party. She and her fanatics will guilt trip the progressives by pointing out how awful the other choice is.
Mrs. Clinton and even President Obama have underestimated the anger on the left that not a single one of the banker crooks who destroyed the economy have been punished. What is more, they have underestimated the long-term corrosive effect of this failure to hold the criminals responsible. You cannot expect people to believe the pablum about equal justice for the law, and you cannot expect angry people to behave rationally. It is not an accident that so many Bernie supporters would rather vote for Trump than for her, and to continue to discount their voices by lumping them all with the congenital misogynists and Clinton haters is self-destructive.
It is clear that the coddling of the super-rich will continue if Mrs. Clinton is elected, and if the common man continues to seethe, that's too bad. (Only) rich lives matter.
Mrs. Clinton and even President Obama have underestimated the anger on the left that not a single one of the banker crooks who destroyed the economy have been punished. What is more, they have underestimated the long-term corrosive effect of this failure to hold the criminals responsible. You cannot expect people to believe the pablum about equal justice for the law, and you cannot expect angry people to behave rationally. It is not an accident that so many Bernie supporters would rather vote for Trump than for her, and to continue to discount their voices by lumping them all with the congenital misogynists and Clinton haters is self-destructive.
It is clear that the coddling of the super-rich will continue if Mrs. Clinton is elected, and if the common man continues to seethe, that's too bad. (Only) rich lives matter.
16
As a Bernie voter in the primary, I can say that Tim Kaine is a reasonable choice.
Much as I admire Elizabeth Warren (wish she had been running for President!)
I think she can do more right where she is in the Senate!
I can't even consider voting for Stein or Johnson - good people both, but it would only be a vote for Trump! A Trump presidency is unthinkable!!!
Much as I admire Elizabeth Warren (wish she had been running for President!)
I think she can do more right where she is in the Senate!
I can't even consider voting for Stein or Johnson - good people both, but it would only be a vote for Trump! A Trump presidency is unthinkable!!!
21
I guess there really is no reason to keep on writing. We have spent a while looking at the world and especially the USA and realizing there are a lot of problems that need fixing. We have decided however that the next four years will be about Democrats, and Republicans but especially about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Business as usual in Washington on the Nile.
Business as usual in Washington on the Nile.
8
I think the only new action that has taken place from this election season is the record number of independents created from former party members.
4
If elected, Trump will huff, and he'll puff, and he'll blow our house down.
I continue to be astonished by the "purity voters" who will vote third party from their comfy positions, not giving a single thought to all the people they will hurt. Yes, people with real problems, who are too busy trying to survive to worry about their "purity".
I continue to be astonished by the "purity voters" who will vote third party from their comfy positions, not giving a single thought to all the people they will hurt. Yes, people with real problems, who are too busy trying to survive to worry about their "purity".
13
"he's a moderate who has had to work with the Republican-"
"I don't think Bernie supporters are going to be happy with this, since he's a centrist."
As a human being I don't like this. The defining issue of the age is TPP. Even Hillary and the usual ill-informed and self- deluding Clintonites have felt the need to appear to oppose TPP, but not Kaine as late as Thursday!
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/tim-kaine-trade-tpp-226054
When it really counts Kaine is not a centrist. He is right in there protecting Wall Street.
"I don't think Bernie supporters are going to be happy with this, since he's a centrist."
As a human being I don't like this. The defining issue of the age is TPP. Even Hillary and the usual ill-informed and self- deluding Clintonites have felt the need to appear to oppose TPP, but not Kaine as late as Thursday!
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/tim-kaine-trade-tpp-226054
When it really counts Kaine is not a centrist. He is right in there protecting Wall Street.
9
$Billion reward for identifying a Clintonite who has actually read the TPP, especially the section on settling investor disputes, - except, of course, for Hillary Clinton, who championed it for 5 years.
3
Thankfully she did not select Cory Booker or Elizabeth Warren. At least the ticket is more balanced.
5
Veto the 2016 Presidential election
7
Clinton should oc chosen Warren.She makes all of her decisions from Bill. there was no reason to choose Kaine over Warren.
4
This just shows how Democrats push their base aside and reach for the center and the right. Clinton is left of center and Kaine is a centrist, what happened to the left? She needed someone who would energize the voters and she failed to do that, but she probably now appeals to the right, which is unfortunate. The plan is always to bring out the base vote, she did not do that, but Trump energizes that more than Kaine.
10
What a choice we have been given. A Republican or an insane T.V. character. Hillary supporters using tactics of fear. As I see it, we have a choice between lethal injection and a firing squad. I prefer to go out standing up. I will vote Trump. The Democratic Party is no longer legitimate.
9
Ratification of TPP is no longer an issue in that it is so unpopular that a majority of Members of Congress cannot be found to vote aye. Any who might are destined to a return to private life.
Kaine is well-qualified.
Thus, the choice is either Clinton-Kaine or Trump-Pence. Which candidates' position do you support and which do you oppose. Where do you want the country to do on banning abortion, restricting immigration, changing trade deals, engaging in foreign military operations, providing health care, stabilizing our foreign relationships, managing the economy and facilitating all voters' ability to cast their ballots,
That is what is at stake and these are the two choices to lead our nation -- like it or not. You decide.
Kaine is well-qualified.
Thus, the choice is either Clinton-Kaine or Trump-Pence. Which candidates' position do you support and which do you oppose. Where do you want the country to do on banning abortion, restricting immigration, changing trade deals, engaging in foreign military operations, providing health care, stabilizing our foreign relationships, managing the economy and facilitating all voters' ability to cast their ballots,
That is what is at stake and these are the two choices to lead our nation -- like it or not. You decide.
8
4 years of Hillary after 8 of Obama means we are moving toward a balkanized welfare state of feuding diverse races, religions, genders and ethnicities led by radical liberals who will control our thinking and speech and try to maintain their power by blaming all problems on old white males.
12
It's also another thumb in the eye for Bernie Sanders supporters. Another pseudo-Democrat who will continue to sell out the middle class to the transnational corporations.
Ah well, she wasn't going to get us anyway.
JILL STEIN '16
Ah well, she wasn't going to get us anyway.
JILL STEIN '16
19
So many amusing misunderstanding commenters here.
First a dog and pony show with the DNC platform, "allowing" some planks to try and win over the disgruntled Sanders supporters, although we understood it's mostly talk and no walk.
And now in a slap in the face, a VP pick who was just in the news for requesting bank deregulations and less consumer protections from bankers (Take that, Liz Warren !!). And a supporter of the TPP, which Clinton said she no longer favored...but we didn't believe that either. Say anything for votes, right?
So now the wise Clintonites are so sure that we will vote for Hillary anyway, because Trump is so horrible. Well yeah, he is....and I won't vote for him, but I won't vote for Clinton either. Neither one deserves it.
And being in her bubble, the queen bee surrounded by the for-profit politicians, yes-men and assistants somehow thinks she has this in the bag already. Never mind all the rabid repubs, who will turn out in droves. Never mind the independents who realize Clinton is more hated by the GOP congress than Obama and won't get anything done (How's that conservative SCOTUS choice going ? I'm sure the GOP will treat Hillary's liberal picks more favorably...). And never mind all the Democrats that don't like the way the party has veered to center-right, and see all the wheeling-dealings that you'd expect from the other side.
Nope. Trump will win. She just blew it. And her supporters.... supporters did...
First a dog and pony show with the DNC platform, "allowing" some planks to try and win over the disgruntled Sanders supporters, although we understood it's mostly talk and no walk.
And now in a slap in the face, a VP pick who was just in the news for requesting bank deregulations and less consumer protections from bankers (Take that, Liz Warren !!). And a supporter of the TPP, which Clinton said she no longer favored...but we didn't believe that either. Say anything for votes, right?
So now the wise Clintonites are so sure that we will vote for Hillary anyway, because Trump is so horrible. Well yeah, he is....and I won't vote for him, but I won't vote for Clinton either. Neither one deserves it.
And being in her bubble, the queen bee surrounded by the for-profit politicians, yes-men and assistants somehow thinks she has this in the bag already. Never mind all the rabid repubs, who will turn out in droves. Never mind the independents who realize Clinton is more hated by the GOP congress than Obama and won't get anything done (How's that conservative SCOTUS choice going ? I'm sure the GOP will treat Hillary's liberal picks more favorably...). And never mind all the Democrats that don't like the way the party has veered to center-right, and see all the wheeling-dealings that you'd expect from the other side.
Nope. Trump will win. She just blew it. And her supporters.... supporters did...
16
Selecting "Citizen Kaine" appears to be a good move. He is smart and a moderate but the key to Clinton getting elected will depend on her economic plan. I'll be interested in Sen. Kaine's views on the economy. If she lets trickle down economics creep back into her plan she will be siding with the banks, the airlines, the oil companies, and other monopolists and will perpetuate the 1% controlling America. Trumps plan will be siding with the monopolists no matter what he says.
Peter Thiel is the ultimate monopolist and an example of who Trump will pick to manage the economy. Thiel linked credit processing with shopping on Ebay and created a monopoly until Amazon launched and there were two Monopolies blocking everyone out. Google is another example of a monopoly.
Hopefully Sanders backers will recognize that the country doesn't want socialism and will focus on the economy. I doubt they will because they are chasing windmills, but If we get the economy on track to spread the wealth then the resources will be there to reduce the deficit and improve lives of all Americans.
Peter Thiel is the ultimate monopolist and an example of who Trump will pick to manage the economy. Thiel linked credit processing with shopping on Ebay and created a monopoly until Amazon launched and there were two Monopolies blocking everyone out. Google is another example of a monopoly.
Hopefully Sanders backers will recognize that the country doesn't want socialism and will focus on the economy. I doubt they will because they are chasing windmills, but If we get the economy on track to spread the wealth then the resources will be there to reduce the deficit and improve lives of all Americans.
5
Why are people so averse to the center? In case you haven't noticed, it's the serious lack of centrist legislators that has caused years of gridlock in Congress. Maybe if there were more senators like Susan Collins and fewer like Ted Cruz, we would have gotten more done in the last six years. The center is where we govern. Only dictatorships govern on the fringe. We ignore that fact at our peril.
33
All this blather about the need to bring Sanders voters aboard and now Ms. Clinton choses this man with a history of pro-banker sympathies. Ouch. Can anyone doubt that Ms. Clinton is reverting to her conservative nature? This is a gift to Mr. Trump.
18
If she selected Warren, Sherrob Brown, or Cory Booker, the Dems would already be down another GOP senator since all three states have GOP governors who would select GOP Senators. I believe she would have liked any one of those three, since they are all great Democrats.The key is to win the Senate so they can select progressive Supreme Court justices. Kaine also helps in Virginia, a states Dems won for the first time since 1964. If they win Virginia, Dems could lose Ohio or Florida and still win the White House.
Opposed to abortion personally, but 100% behind the right for women to have control over all issues with their own bodies is a good place. He has a 100% rating with Planned Parenthood and an F from the NRA (he won tough victories against guns when governor - which Bernie cannot claim).
A civil Rights lawyer on the right side of issues of disadvantaged for 17 years after Harvard Law degree with undergraad degree in Economics who is well-liked by everyone. Former DNC Chair who helped many Democrats get elected. His son is in the military, he is on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. He has been studying ISIS and international crises for a while. As former Mayor, Governor, Senator with international experience, he is uniquely qualified to be President immediately
Kaine speaks Spanish fluently which he learned from his year as a Catholic missionary in Honduras.
Hillary made his opposition to TPP a requirement for the VP job.
Opposed to abortion personally, but 100% behind the right for women to have control over all issues with their own bodies is a good place. He has a 100% rating with Planned Parenthood and an F from the NRA (he won tough victories against guns when governor - which Bernie cannot claim).
A civil Rights lawyer on the right side of issues of disadvantaged for 17 years after Harvard Law degree with undergraad degree in Economics who is well-liked by everyone. Former DNC Chair who helped many Democrats get elected. His son is in the military, he is on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. He has been studying ISIS and international crises for a while. As former Mayor, Governor, Senator with international experience, he is uniquely qualified to be President immediately
Kaine speaks Spanish fluently which he learned from his year as a Catholic missionary in Honduras.
Hillary made his opposition to TPP a requirement for the VP job.
26
Opposition to the TPP?
8
I'm reassured by Hillary's choice. It tells me that she intends to govern much like her husband, as a centrist.
7
HUGE gift to Donald Trump. The Republicans aren't the only ones living in a bubble. The hubris, the stupidity of this choice is amazing. She may have just lost the election.
12
Ah, the DNC, the party of inclusion. Apparently it has had enough of people of color attempting to run their plantation.
9
When Tim Kaine was announced as Hillary's running mate, he was at a fundraiser in Newport RI speaking to the 1 percent.
19
Hillary has got the election in the bag.
Trump is divisive.
He pits some Americans against other Americans.
I believe in Law and Order. This does not mean we have to pit black Americans against Cops especially White cops. We should treat everyone equally.
Let's not get into a race war.
Trump is divisive.
He pits some Americans against other Americans.
I believe in Law and Order. This does not mean we have to pit black Americans against Cops especially White cops. We should treat everyone equally.
Let's not get into a race war.
3
Great Pick! his abilities will be used during this campaign as you soon will see.
9
Kaine is hardly an inspiring choice, and sadly a clear indication that Hillary will not follow through on trade and banking reform issues, as she previously indicated she would to Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, since Kaine is on record as opposing such moves. One even has to suspect that Kaine's fluency in Spanish which will be helpful to Hillary in sewing up the Latino vote was more important than his boring personality as the deciding factor in her choice. Still, her husband told her to pick Kaine, and she did. So I guess we know who she really listens to, and where Hillary's heart really lies.
14
If something happens to Hillary, god Forbid, will Kaine be the automatic Democrat nominee?
Hmmmm. Yes, god forbid.
2
Kaine is a good choice for Hillary.
He's a white guy in his 50's.
He's amiable and personable.
I think you are going to get a few white guys voting
for Hillary because he's on the ticket.
Hillary made a good decision.
He's a white guy in his 50's.
He's amiable and personable.
I think you are going to get a few white guys voting
for Hillary because he's on the ticket.
Hillary made a good decision.
4
well well. big-bank-funded Hillary picks deregulate-the-banks Kaine. This is not surprising at all. What a complete mockery of democracy and insult to the American people.
20
A good responsible choice which certainly enhances the Democratic ticket and should highlight the difference at all levels, especially the intellectual.
While much revision is needed within the party which has emphasized the nature of "realpolitik" as a guiding factor, my sense is that those who supported Mr Sanders have found a voice which will no longer be denied and consequently herald that change.
The only hesitancy I have at this point has to do with the denial of those voices by the still entrenched politicians within both parties who still deny the need of and demand for positive change which will by its very nature sound a death knell on politics as usual.
We should never forget the future belongs to our children and we are shaping the world in which they and their children will live.
While much revision is needed within the party which has emphasized the nature of "realpolitik" as a guiding factor, my sense is that those who supported Mr Sanders have found a voice which will no longer be denied and consequently herald that change.
The only hesitancy I have at this point has to do with the denial of those voices by the still entrenched politicians within both parties who still deny the need of and demand for positive change which will by its very nature sound a death knell on politics as usual.
We should never forget the future belongs to our children and we are shaping the world in which they and their children will live.
4
These comments here are baffling. We got a platform? So what? She's not going to abide by a single thing in it. That's what everyone in the Bernie wing believes: the platform was a red herring that Sen. Sanders threw out to sheepdog us into the Party.
We were looking for an act. Some real indication that she meant what she said. Instead, this. If you don't think this is going to make people stay home or vote for Stein, you're in for a rude awakening. This was "prudent" only in the sense that it serves to keep the Wall Street cash flowing to Clinton's coffers. That's what it was all about, in the end. Wall Street breeds a sigh of relief, and the rest of us a sigh of resignation.
This is an extraordinary political mistake, a throwback to antiquated political thinking that this election cycle has totally upended. When turnout dips below 40% again, like it did with the last lying human protractor named Clinton, good bloody luck retaking the Senate -- or defeating Donald Trump, for that matter.
We were looking for an act. Some real indication that she meant what she said. Instead, this. If you don't think this is going to make people stay home or vote for Stein, you're in for a rude awakening. This was "prudent" only in the sense that it serves to keep the Wall Street cash flowing to Clinton's coffers. That's what it was all about, in the end. Wall Street breeds a sigh of relief, and the rest of us a sigh of resignation.
This is an extraordinary political mistake, a throwback to antiquated political thinking that this election cycle has totally upended. When turnout dips below 40% again, like it did with the last lying human protractor named Clinton, good bloody luck retaking the Senate -- or defeating Donald Trump, for that matter.
15
Who in the blazes is Jill Stein? Ralph Nader's understudy?
9
The media is doing its darnest to put Trump in WH because they can continue with his 24x7 media circus for the next 4 years. So now they are calling HC and TC boring. If Trump is elected we headed for Idiocracy , like the movie.
3
Don't know much about Mr. Kaine's issue positions yet, but this man makes a great personal impression in the TV interview I saw. Lovely family too. He seems much more likable and authentic than Hillary and her husband, for sure.
But more important than VP for policy may be her cabinet and advisers. Is it conceivable she'd ever break with Bill and Barack’s precedent and NOT appoint Wall St as her close advisers? Given Clinton’s speaking fees for secret speeches---what can we expect? Appointments from the top elites, who will set the parameters of policy, to benefit the 1 percent? Or will she surprise us?
The American huddled masses yearning to make a decent living can only hope. We yearn for truly affordable h/c for all, to get higher education without big debt, to have a decent retirement, and trade deals that help not harm us.
But we don't know what we'll actually get for our vote, given the promises vs let downs we've experienced from our presidents. We wait to see what our next leader and her court see fit to bestow on the American majority who put them in office.
But more important than VP for policy may be her cabinet and advisers. Is it conceivable she'd ever break with Bill and Barack’s precedent and NOT appoint Wall St as her close advisers? Given Clinton’s speaking fees for secret speeches---what can we expect? Appointments from the top elites, who will set the parameters of policy, to benefit the 1 percent? Or will she surprise us?
The American huddled masses yearning to make a decent living can only hope. We yearn for truly affordable h/c for all, to get higher education without big debt, to have a decent retirement, and trade deals that help not harm us.
But we don't know what we'll actually get for our vote, given the promises vs let downs we've experienced from our presidents. We wait to see what our next leader and her court see fit to bestow on the American majority who put them in office.
5
THIS KAINE GUY IS A GIFT TO THE GOP!
QUOTE
"Lying is unforgivable. Lying publicly about something like this is unforgivable and he should resign," Kaine says.
This is what Kaine had to say about Weiner...HRC's top aide Huma's husband lying over his sexting in Congress!
The GOP will have a field day with this quote from him since HRC picked him as VP!
Wonder what he now thinks of liars after hitching his horse to the biggest in political history.
Can't wait for Pence to tear him up over this!
QUOTE
"Lying is unforgivable. Lying publicly about something like this is unforgivable and he should resign," Kaine says.
This is what Kaine had to say about Weiner...HRC's top aide Huma's husband lying over his sexting in Congress!
The GOP will have a field day with this quote from him since HRC picked him as VP!
Wonder what he now thinks of liars after hitching his horse to the biggest in political history.
Can't wait for Pence to tear him up over this!
9
Pence can't tear his way out of a paper bag. Trump will do all the tearing.
5
Just remember all you Hilary fans, she still has a 56% "don't like/rating", she has lied on numerous occasions, the party platform usually means nothing after the election, she will continue drone killings (ensuring continued growing world-wide contempt for the US), she will sell anyone billions of $$$ of weapons to many bad actors, will blindly enrich Israel as well as give the green light to kill Palestinians with impunity, will have a fast fading husband as her number one advisor , and have all those chits from Wall Street and corporate donors to satisfy.
Gee, what's not to like ?!#$@!??
Gee, what's not to like ?!#$@!??
10
To all you Bernie supporters here is a PERFECT reason to rethink your support of Hillary, the ONLY democrat running who will make SUPREME COURT picks which will last generations.
Think about this-
If the Supreme Court in 2000 had NOT SELECTED dumbya we would NOThave ISIS today. Dumbya invaded and dismantled a nation which did not attack us. Allowing ISIS to grow. Dumbya lied and millions died.
The republicans won't stop with Benghazi, but the war Dumbya lied us into and the aftermath of its turmoil is something the rest of the world will be dealing with for decades.
The Supreme Court is a good enough reason for me to vote for the democratic candidate. And Bernie himself will agree!
Think about this-
If the Supreme Court in 2000 had NOT SELECTED dumbya we would NOThave ISIS today. Dumbya invaded and dismantled a nation which did not attack us. Allowing ISIS to grow. Dumbya lied and millions died.
The republicans won't stop with Benghazi, but the war Dumbya lied us into and the aftermath of its turmoil is something the rest of the world will be dealing with for decades.
The Supreme Court is a good enough reason for me to vote for the democratic candidate. And Bernie himself will agree!
9
I supported Bernie with both my time and my money. I'll enthusiastically vote for the Clinton-Kaine ticket because it is not the Trump-Pence ticket. End of story.
18
Ditto except for the enthusiasm. I'm going to concentrate on the House and Senate races with my time and money now. That's the only hope for salvaging the country at this point.
7
Initially, I thought choice of TK would solidify victory for HRC, and barring a cardiac arrest--just read that Denny Green passed away from stroke at 67--she would be a shoo in.But in view of Kaine's establishment positions, his support for TPP, NAFTA, and open borders, am not so sure he would be invulnerable to attacks from Trump. I respect Kaine for his service in GUATEMALA,his facility in Spanish, unlike Jeb, who butchers the language of Cervantes,or Kerry, whose knowledge of French is almost non existent: Genuinely painful to the ears to listen to him mistreat the language of Rabelais. On the other hand, Kaine's support of issues that r harmful to "petits blancs"will not be an asset come November.Urban and rural whites, whom O enjoys punching down on, mocking them,will see TK as another beltway regular,ready to stab them in the back when it comes to trade, immigration, and the threat of foreign terrorism. Nonetheless, must applaud Kaine for his physical and moral courage. He served in Guatemala during the bloodthirsty regime of Rios Montt, among other strong men,and in view of his stand on human rights when tens of thousands were being "disappeared,"his "grace under pressure,"his refusal to be silenced by the forces of order is commendable.However, 2 establishment stalwarts in a year of insurgency, when the "etat d'esprit"of millions of Americans tends to favor the outsider,may prove counter intuitive.
6
Only in the U.S. would the son of the shop (factory) owner be described as working class.
10
Along with an F rating from the oldest civil rights oraganization in the nation, the NRA, Kaines bio is flush with the same preposition, "despite" over and over, again. It should signal to students of Hillary that, like her, Mr. Kaine is perfectly capable of talking out of both sides of his mouth.
7
It's a little off topic, but one of the first things Senator Kaines should announce: "Mr. Trump, heed this warning: Don't even think you can criticize my wife."
Excellent choice in comparison to the Trump-Pence ticket that reminds one of a Mary Shelley-esk story: Kaine is visibly dynamic and personable. And unlike the few select in the Trump campaign, he actually has relevant credentials. And we can all sleep better tonight because there is a chance that NATO won't be destroyed and that the US won't have to go to bed with Putin.
9
Not impressed...But then again this race is about the middle. Hillary with this choice joins the GOP at the center where they can both fight in out in the swing states.
3
Great choice!
6
This from-the-beginning Bernie supporter felt all along that Kaine was the best choice of those in consideration. Senator Sanders has challenged and actually changed the party from its run of the mill, play it safe habits to one that speaks like a democratic party. Neither Senators Warren or Sanders were ever a realistic choice. Kaine's experience, character and demeanor are just right as a quiet and reassuring counter to the disturbing psychosis of the other side. He may even have a small influence on Secretary Clinton's sometimes overly stentorian speech. This is the ticket, not soul satisfying, perhaps, but one that can win and govern.
16
With all the choices available, did she have to select a blue pants suit?
3
Great call Ms Clinton. I was/am with you no matter what, but Senator Kaine is exactly this 60ish midwesterner's cup of tea.
13
Picking a person who favors more bank deregulation and the TPP makes it easy come November. This Bernie supporter will not volte for Clinton.
BTW: wonder how Bernie will try to soft-pedal the pick.....
BTW: wonder how Bernie will try to soft-pedal the pick.....
9
TIM KAINE, A strong choice. I was very impressed when I heard Tim Kaine talk about his concerns for the citizens of VA on a number of issues. I think he's got an open personality with good solid experience. And he'll be someone who the male voters can look to for common concerns and goals. Once again, Hillary has done her homework well, choosing substance and sincerity in a running mate over controversy. I'm sure that Hillary will have plans for talents such as those of Elizabeth Warren.
14
Tim Kaine who's first message was to tell Wall Street,I am with you,that Tim
Kaine.Yes,he confirms how pointless the the platform Sanders forced on Clinton is.Clinton will never get my vote.The DNC and Clinton have put Trump in the White House.
Kaine.Yes,he confirms how pointless the the platform Sanders forced on Clinton is.Clinton will never get my vote.The DNC and Clinton have put Trump in the White House.
10
Why don't you just hand the Presidency to Trump on a Golden Platter! ... Terrible pick!!
10
If this had been an article about a republican, the headline would have read "Where's the diversity? Clinton picks an old white man as running mate". But since this is about HilLIARy, she gets a pass.
6
#IamWithHer&Him!
10
I supported Sanders, and Tim Kaine is fine with me.
18
I hate to think that Hillary Clinton picked Tim Kaine just because he speaks Spanish. We can speak English too.
6
How often does a series of good reasons add up to a brilliant choice? I think we are about to see an example in Secretary Hillary Clinton’s reasoning to choose Senator Tim Kaine as her V. P. running mate. The reasons, I believe, will unfold in the next months, culminating in a win for the Democrats. Americans have more incentives to vote, and vote Democrat; and people in democratic governments around the world have reason to breath a little easier, and hope that the Clinton/Kaine electoral ticket wins.
14
I have two litmus tests for political candidates. If they pass these two tests they are eligible for my vote, but passage does not mean that I will necessarily vote for them based on their other policy positions. My litmus tests? The candidate must support union rights and abortion rights.
Tim Kaine's support of right-to-freeload laws makes me less likely to vote for Clinton. I've been a supporter of Bernie Sanders since long before he ever decided to run for president. I thought I had come to terms with voting for Clinton, even knowing that she's not exactly a liberal or even a progressive. Her choice of Kaine gives me pause. It's going to take me a while to talk myself into voting for anyone who has supported the same position as Scott Walker or any of the other rabidly anti-worker Republicans.
This choice is a bitter pill to swallow.
Tim Kaine's support of right-to-freeload laws makes me less likely to vote for Clinton. I've been a supporter of Bernie Sanders since long before he ever decided to run for president. I thought I had come to terms with voting for Clinton, even knowing that she's not exactly a liberal or even a progressive. Her choice of Kaine gives me pause. It's going to take me a while to talk myself into voting for anyone who has supported the same position as Scott Walker or any of the other rabidly anti-worker Republicans.
This choice is a bitter pill to swallow.
8
Then don't swallow it.
8
She selected a cipher, a lapdog, who will go where he is told, speak when spoken to and have his speeches and remarks written and edited for him by her cadre of clintonistas so as not to appear brighter, more human or more capable than she. Of course any signs of a good character will be met with furious phone calls from the wasserman diktat directorate lest such traits compare too favorably with her tarnished and deservedly negative image. Hence her decision to eschew persons with ideas about remaking the party into one not wholly owned by the wall street kleptocracy. We are not impressed. We are voting Green. We will not go quietly into her dark night. And we will be in Philadelphia.
12
But he is already being punished for strictly following gift laws. Trump and GOP control media.
3
I'm looking forward to the VP debate. It looks like Kaine will make mincemeat out of Pence. Great choice Mrs. Clinton!
11
Prediction:
If Cllnton manages to get elected despite the rage and frustration in this country against the stacked deck that has benefited only the one percent, she will be a one-term President.
Tim Kaine will not succeed her.
As citizen dissatisfaction grows over four years, and the rich get richer and the middle class continues to erode, all the Republicans will need to do to win in 2020 is produce a candidate who is not certifiable.
Imagine President Paul Ryan with a Republican Senate and House.
Hold onto your hats, "centrist Democrats," (does anyone else consider that an oxymoron?) and get ready to reap the whirlwind.
If Cllnton manages to get elected despite the rage and frustration in this country against the stacked deck that has benefited only the one percent, she will be a one-term President.
Tim Kaine will not succeed her.
As citizen dissatisfaction grows over four years, and the rich get richer and the middle class continues to erode, all the Republicans will need to do to win in 2020 is produce a candidate who is not certifiable.
Imagine President Paul Ryan with a Republican Senate and House.
Hold onto your hats, "centrist Democrats," (does anyone else consider that an oxymoron?) and get ready to reap the whirlwind.
9
While I would have preferred Tom Perez or Julian Castro as the Democratic VP choice, I want to impress on the Sherrod Brown/Elizabeth Warren advocates that choosing either of them would mean the certain loss of a Democratic Senate seat. Same with Cory Booker. This is no small matter! We must do everything possible to insure that the Democrats regain the Senate majority. We've seen what happened to Pres. Obama's efforts to govern with a GOP Senate. Do you want the same misfortune to befall Hillary Clinton? Of course not! So all of you Progressives, please get out there and work your hearts out for Clinton/Kaine. And for those of you who have a chance to elect a Democrat to the Senate, work even harder!
37
@gigi,
I've got a seat on a bus to participate in the Food and Water Watch March for Clean Energy on Sunday in Philly and I've phone banked for it. That's the work I'm doing right now. And I might participate in a BLM march.
I'm not sure there's much point in asking some fellow readers to stop instructing-scolding-warning others about their voting choices. Y'all seem unable or unwilling to resist doing so. Please continue to do so if it it gives you pleasure.
7-23-16@9:06 am
I've got a seat on a bus to participate in the Food and Water Watch March for Clean Energy on Sunday in Philly and I've phone banked for it. That's the work I'm doing right now. And I might participate in a BLM march.
I'm not sure there's much point in asking some fellow readers to stop instructing-scolding-warning others about their voting choices. Y'all seem unable or unwilling to resist doing so. Please continue to do so if it it gives you pleasure.
7-23-16@9:06 am
4
Tim Kaine appears to be an American, a Democrat, and a Catholic -- in that order. Compare and contrast with another Governor running as a VP candidate. The Clinton/Kaine ticket works for me.
20
Tim Kaine is in Wall Street's pocket just like Hillary Clinton. The 1% will be happy with this choice.
19
Where exactly do you think Trump/Pence are?
5
I have to admit I never heard of this guy before today. But what impresses me is that those who do know him seem to think very well of him. It seems like she made a good choice.
8
Whew, Hillary! You scared me! Thank goodness all that Goldman Sachs money did not go for naught!
16
58 is the new Julian Castro.
Some of the Bernie fans are missing an important point about why Warren was not chosen - she is much too valuable to lose in the Senate. Warren is one of the most effective Democratic Senators, and due to her popularity at home she is likely to get re-elected over and over again. Sending her to the White House in a basically powerless role would be a huge waste.
12
Thank you Hillary for making Donald Trump's election that much easier to secure. The Democratic Party has had two factions in this primary season, your supporters and those of Senator Bernie Sanders. If Trump is perceived as such a threat, the logical thing to have done would have been to make Sanders your VP pick, ensuring a unified Democratic Party. Now you go and alienate a significant chunk of your Party with another "Establishment" candidate.
Add to this the developing story of email leaks from the DNC purporting to show where they were working to undermine Sanders campaign from the get-go, and I wouldn't blame a lot of his supporters for wanting to defect to Trump just for spite and for being ignored and dissed.
The FBI director castigated your email server use as "bad judgement." And we see it on display once again in this decision as well.
Add to this the developing story of email leaks from the DNC purporting to show where they were working to undermine Sanders campaign from the get-go, and I wouldn't blame a lot of his supporters for wanting to defect to Trump just for spite and for being ignored and dissed.
The FBI director castigated your email server use as "bad judgement." And we see it on display once again in this decision as well.
10
His nomination probably insures trade deals such as TPP are passed since he favors them, and Hillary favored them before Bernie (andTrump) made supporting them unpopular.
8
So she picked a boring lawyer, married to a lawyer, whose positions on guns, abortions, death penalty etc. mean nothing to the state he represents, meaning he's well-liked because nobody really ever takes him seriously, at least not in his state.
Add to that, he's close to McAuliffe, same guy with a long, questionable relationship to the Clintons, guaranteeing Clinton's house in Chappaqua, same guy who likes to govern a-la-Obama, by executive order. The latest of which, granting 200,000 felons voting rights, just got thrown out by the Virginia Supreme Court. McAuliffe's response? He intends to issue 200,000 individual orders to get around the Supreme Court decision. Hmmm. Signing orders all day long? Nice job if you can hang on to it.
Kaine is just another Democrat gift-mistake in an already long list to Trump. Not just for attack dog Pence to rip apart in debates, but get this: Kaine also comes with a free Senate seat coupon valid two years in a row. For the HRC camp to cut a Senate seat loose and open it up for grabs is just mind-numbing incredibly dumb. Doubtless, more Democrats will now make the switch to Trump, their trickle growing potentially to a hip, happening, trending surge, leaving just one question remaining for the 2016 election: is a Trump landslide in the cards? We don't know, but one thing's certain: it'll likely be huuuuuuge.
Go Trump! Hasta Mañana Tim!
Add to that, he's close to McAuliffe, same guy with a long, questionable relationship to the Clintons, guaranteeing Clinton's house in Chappaqua, same guy who likes to govern a-la-Obama, by executive order. The latest of which, granting 200,000 felons voting rights, just got thrown out by the Virginia Supreme Court. McAuliffe's response? He intends to issue 200,000 individual orders to get around the Supreme Court decision. Hmmm. Signing orders all day long? Nice job if you can hang on to it.
Kaine is just another Democrat gift-mistake in an already long list to Trump. Not just for attack dog Pence to rip apart in debates, but get this: Kaine also comes with a free Senate seat coupon valid two years in a row. For the HRC camp to cut a Senate seat loose and open it up for grabs is just mind-numbing incredibly dumb. Doubtless, more Democrats will now make the switch to Trump, their trickle growing potentially to a hip, happening, trending surge, leaving just one question remaining for the 2016 election: is a Trump landslide in the cards? We don't know, but one thing's certain: it'll likely be huuuuuuge.
Go Trump! Hasta Mañana Tim!
9
A popular senator from Virginia? Not so fast. Kaine maybe popular among the wealthy and elite residents of Virginia but not popular with low income residents. I do not believe he will help Hillary Clinton's campaign. I know a number Virginia governors during the past 40 plus years. Kaine rarely reach out to the low income citizens. Donald Trump has better choice for his vice-president. Governor Mike Pence make more sense. Kaine is sweet talker.
8
I like him but it hurts Hillary's chances that he is not further left, and more populist. She already has the "I'm a qualified centrist" vote.
Her challenge remains convincing voters that she hears them, understands their justified anger, and will fight for them, especially against Wall St. If she fails here, she'll lose a lot of Bernie supporters, independents, and even unsure Trump supporters in battleground states.
For a lot of voters it will be enough if she just shows she's genuinely trying to connect. I hope she will. I'm rooting for her. The whole world is.
Her challenge remains convincing voters that she hears them, understands their justified anger, and will fight for them, especially against Wall St. If she fails here, she'll lose a lot of Bernie supporters, independents, and even unsure Trump supporters in battleground states.
For a lot of voters it will be enough if she just shows she's genuinely trying to connect. I hope she will. I'm rooting for her. The whole world is.
6
@Daniel,
I gather you mean the whole world in a figurative sense, considering the number of comments I've read from people around the world who preferred someone more genuinely and consistently progressive than Hillary; and I don't mean fellow citizens who actually have a vote.
7-23-16@9:10 am
I gather you mean the whole world in a figurative sense, considering the number of comments I've read from people around the world who preferred someone more genuinely and consistently progressive than Hillary; and I don't mean fellow citizens who actually have a vote.
7-23-16@9:10 am
3
I agree with Hillary agreeing with Cruz.... "Vote Your Conscious".... and she is definitely not my conscious... Guess its Jill Stein 2016
7
Solid pick in my opinion, Hillary & Kaine ticket will do more good for this country then a Trump and Pence. Trump is not qualified to be president and Pence is so far right its scary. For all the veteran love the republicans try to dish out they sure do dislike female vets. The official republican platform I believe included that females should not serve in the military or be apart of combat operations. Coupled with Trumps anti Nato talk and " countrys will have to pay for protection" straight from Trumps mouth.. Mafia Don back at his old tricks.
8
After watching the RNC's chaotic display of their choices and the complete lack of a coherent agenda Clinton is settling down to business beginning with a smart choice. Kaine not only is fluent in Spanish to clear the air of any miscommunication but has a calm demeanor to steady the course through the month's ahead and when needing to engage in a counter-attack will be more than capable to separate the amateur from the professional agendas .
8
Some commenters here are arguing the importance of the VP pick, citing Clinton's age. Clinton's health is the far greater problem.
After Clinton's cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), she was put on anticoagulation therapy for life, itself an important risk. Docs would not have done this unless her underlying condition posed an even greater risk.
Recall that Bill revealed the event was "very serious" and that Hillary required 6 months of intensive therapy.
Recall that Huma disclosed in emails that Hillary "was often confused."
Indeed, recall that in his non-indictment indictment of Clinton, Comey said she did not understand basic classification requirements that anyone in her position would know.
Complete medical records of both septuagenarian nominees. Now. Please. Internist equivocal letters won't do.
After Clinton's cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), she was put on anticoagulation therapy for life, itself an important risk. Docs would not have done this unless her underlying condition posed an even greater risk.
Recall that Bill revealed the event was "very serious" and that Hillary required 6 months of intensive therapy.
Recall that Huma disclosed in emails that Hillary "was often confused."
Indeed, recall that in his non-indictment indictment of Clinton, Comey said she did not understand basic classification requirements that anyone in her position would know.
Complete medical records of both septuagenarian nominees. Now. Please. Internist equivocal letters won't do.
5
What exactly does that accomplish at this stage of the game? I am bemused by some of these silly comments today.
4
Where are you getting this information from?
4
As is par for the course, Hillary has chosen wisely. Tim Kaine may appear to some as simply a safe choice, boring in fact. So be it. This political season could use a bit of boring. Boring in the sense that Kaine actually gets things done. He's portrayed as a centrist, which to some Sanders supporters seems far distant from the revolution they wanted. But after taking a good look at Hillary's opponent's bluster and bellicosity I would think many Americans will find in Tim Kaine something they haven't and won't get from the Republicans, comforting words, willingness to compromise, working well with the opposition, and making government work instead remaining mired in constant gridlock.
In this age of gloom and doom, boring can be refreshing. It is in the end something that America has been needing for quite some time. And Kaine's choice will have many moderate Republicans, especially Republican women, though they may not state it publicly, casting their secret ballots for Hillary and Tim. Congrats to Hillary for once again trying to right the keel of our ship of state which has been listing for far too long.
DD
Manhattan
In this age of gloom and doom, boring can be refreshing. It is in the end something that America has been needing for quite some time. And Kaine's choice will have many moderate Republicans, especially Republican women, though they may not state it publicly, casting their secret ballots for Hillary and Tim. Congrats to Hillary for once again trying to right the keel of our ship of state which has been listing for far too long.
DD
Manhattan
12
It's decisions like this that create suspicions among Hillary's supporters. A huge base of potential independents are there for the taking, Bernie progressives, fence-sitting Democrats and Republicans offended by Trump, and who is her VP choice? A safe straight white male. Nothing wrong with Kaine...sounds like a good politician. But the right choice for this election? Take a trip into the future and envision the VP debates? Kaine vs Pence? Boring. A draw. Warren vs Pence. Warren wins. Who has weathered Trump the best? Warren. So why did Hillary shoot herself in the foot again we other this choice of Kaine? Do the Clinton's truly have a fatalistic inclination?
39
HRC was correct to leave Warren in the Senate. Hopefully, the Senate will turn with the election of Hillary. In that case, Warren will wield enormous power to pursue a liberal agenda. Us Americans are obsessed with the Presidential race but the President actually has quite limited powers. The real change comes from the legislature. I am happy that we'll still have Warren in a Democratic Senate to push progressive ideals.
5
Warren appeals to the far left (such as it is and including myself), but you don't win a general election by tacking to the far left. It was a wise, albeit cautious, choice. Kaine is well liked, will appeal to the center, and will deliver an important swing state. He also makes the Clinton campaign look all the more reasonable, especially when compared to the lunacy of Trump. Warren would have delivered ideological purity, but such as never won general elections.
6
Shooting herself in the foot? This nation and it's profusion of white men are weary enough of a woman as a president let alone a president and vp. Hillary needs to soften her image and Warren would hardly be the candidate to facilitate that.
3
Bernie Sanders posed a question to the Democrat Party not too long ago asking if the Democrat Party going to be a party for Wall Street and billionaires or is it going to be the party of the working class. This choice in VP clearly signals to the masses that the Democrat Party is not the party of the working class or American families. Kaine is pro Wall Street and pro TPP. He voted for fast track authority and the DARK Act neither of which would indicate a person supportive of a progressive agenda.
This is a fatal mistake. The Democrats instead of going bold or offering anything positive chose instead to gamble with their standard sales pitch for inferior candidates that ignore the base which is vote for our candidates no matter how awful because at least it is not a Republican in office. Except this time it will backfire on them.
This is a fatal mistake. The Democrats instead of going bold or offering anything positive chose instead to gamble with their standard sales pitch for inferior candidates that ignore the base which is vote for our candidates no matter how awful because at least it is not a Republican in office. Except this time it will backfire on them.
14
A statesmanlike, pragmatic, intelligent, and decent decision--reinforcing my opinion that there's something I like about this woman. I think it's called character. I also notice its almost complete absence in Trump. The contrast is stark.
9
He voted for NAFTA, and he fast-tracked TPP. Now, he thinks TPP was not a good idea. Having him as VP ensures the status quo of politics.
12
If the radical left German Social Democratic Party could vote for the right wing Von Hindenburg against the failed Austrian art student, there is no excuse for anyone who considers themselves progressive not to pull the lever for Hillary when faced with this clear and present danger.
5
The VP should be someone who can assume the presidency and who gets along with the President. Kaine meets those requirements and brings other abilities and good attributes with him as well.
But HRC had better make it clear that she will not name a Larry Summers or Timothy Geithner (or anyone beholden to Wall Street) to Treasury and that her Attorney General and US Attorneys will put financial finaglers in prison, where they belong.
But HRC had better make it clear that she will not name a Larry Summers or Timothy Geithner (or anyone beholden to Wall Street) to Treasury and that her Attorney General and US Attorneys will put financial finaglers in prison, where they belong.
7
Hillary's pick doesn't matter. Here's the 10 reasons why Trump is going to win come November http://helpmebro.com/posts/LdRMyIsiFK
6
It's a good choice. Hey millennials, "you can't always get what you want, you get what you need" Jagger/Richards.
5
The assumption that it's only millennials who might be unhappy with this choice is false. I'm old enough to have seen Mick and Keith perform that song live at Cleveland Stadium in 1978.
She needed someone with liberal/progressive bona fides to balance her right-leaning tendencies and instead she chose Kaine.
She needed someone with liberal/progressive bona fides to balance her right-leaning tendencies and instead she chose Kaine.
8
zzzzzzzzzzzz ok lets just let things as they are - rich just skimming off more and more. when the climate change disasters hit (super high food prices because of food shortage because of no water and high temperatures) then the richies will all weather it (pun intended) and all the poor folks (formerly #middleclass) will be out in the street shooting each other for a slice of bread. go hillary!
5
Warren would have been a killer choice.
Warren would have mopped the floor with Mike Pence in a debate. T.K.O. in the first round about anything.
As for TK, I need to know more. I don't know anything about the guy.
Warren would have mopped the floor with Mike Pence in a debate. T.K.O. in the first round about anything.
As for TK, I need to know more. I don't know anything about the guy.
Your Democratic Party needs a ''normal-looking'' person on the ticket because the party is currently associated with every fringe dependency group EXCEPT the middle class.
Plus, Kaine has no criminal activity in his background, has never gotten child rapists out of jail and then laughed about it - thus driving a victim to suicide - and has no close associates who mysteriously died.
His stark contrast to The One Who is Owed is overwhelming, which is supposed to be a good thing, like Pence having normal-person hair.
Plus, Kaine has no criminal activity in his background, has never gotten child rapists out of jail and then laughed about it - thus driving a victim to suicide - and has no close associates who mysteriously died.
His stark contrast to The One Who is Owed is overwhelming, which is supposed to be a good thing, like Pence having normal-person hair.
3
After reading about Tim Kaine all I can say is:
Why not Tim Kaine for President ?
Why not Tim Kaine for President ?
4
Rience Preibus lecturing *anyone* about a fractured party after his train wreck of a convention. That's too rich.
10
Donald Trump could morph into Pokeman, and I still would never vote for him, let alone seek him out and follow him anywhere.
4
Trump's disturbing and indeed frightening speech at the convention electrified his base and even brought former disbelievers into his flock of followers. On Hillary's best day she couldn't hope to command a high school auditorium, let alone the Wells Fargo Center and tens of millions of television viewers. A dynamic VP choice would have brought genuine spirit, excitement and hope to the convention. Instead it will be a tepid affair. As catastrophic as McCain's choice of Sarah Palin was, her speech at the convention was a moment that truly unified the country -- EVERYBODY wanted to see it.
And as a good friend of mine texted me earlier tonight, "The Vice Presidential debate is going to be the biggest snoozefest of all time."
Way to go, Hillary.
And as a good friend of mine texted me earlier tonight, "The Vice Presidential debate is going to be the biggest snoozefest of all time."
Way to go, Hillary.
5
Great responsible and adult choice. Recognize that we are fighting for the core principles of our country. Elect progressive democrats to the congress and senate on the coat tails of this winning ticket. Transform our future and relegate the republicans to the minority.
7
An excellent pick. She needs to move to the right to gather up moderate republicans that are disgusted with Trump. Clinton has an enthusiasm problem, she is a status quo candidate up against a populist candidate bringing out crowds of formerly apathetic voters. The way to win is to brand the populist a fascist and cobble together a broad anti-fascist coalition. Most progressives will vote for her purely because she isn't Trump; I will.
8
Do we want a razzle-dazzle celebrity full of empty promises along with a right-wing nutcase? Or a pair of competent adults who have the wisdom, experience, and depth-of knowledge to do their jobs. Good choice Madam President!
5
Couldn't they have found someone less ethically challenged?
"Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a top potential vice president pick for Hillary Clinton, took $160,000 worth of legal gifts while in office, Politico reported."
"Kaine accepted the gifts while serving as governor and lieutenant governor of Virginia, according to disclosures compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project and reported on by Politico"
"Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a top potential vice president pick for Hillary Clinton, took $160,000 worth of legal gifts while in office, Politico reported."
"Kaine accepted the gifts while serving as governor and lieutenant governor of Virginia, according to disclosures compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project and reported on by Politico"
9
As a Sanders' supporter, let me say as I read all these comments about Kaine being a centricist, boring, not exciting. Hardworking, yes; polite, yes; and is respected as a decent well-educated, knowledgeable man, who speaks fluent Spanish, spent time living in Honduras, works well with others, and is Hillary's choice so she will probably listen to his thoughtful judgement.
Exciting? You want exciting?? Trump is exciting 24/7--did you catch that Il Duce pose done twice near the end of his hate speech? The man is exciting in the way that Putin, Haddam Hussein, and banana republic dictators are/were "exciting." A swarm of wasps is exciting, an approaching forest fire is exciting, a tornado is exciting, a swerving-veering semi hurtling down the hill without brakes are exciting.
How about voting for a president and VP who are interested in governing a nation of 320 million people rather than 2 guys who hate government and wouldn't mind a whit if they wrecked it, because they would be applauded by a few very rich and lots of stupid, angry people for doing so.
Exciting? You want exciting?? Trump is exciting 24/7--did you catch that Il Duce pose done twice near the end of his hate speech? The man is exciting in the way that Putin, Haddam Hussein, and banana republic dictators are/were "exciting." A swarm of wasps is exciting, an approaching forest fire is exciting, a tornado is exciting, a swerving-veering semi hurtling down the hill without brakes are exciting.
How about voting for a president and VP who are interested in governing a nation of 320 million people rather than 2 guys who hate government and wouldn't mind a whit if they wrecked it, because they would be applauded by a few very rich and lots of stupid, angry people for doing so.
245
Excellent comment; thank you.
4
Well, congrats Mr. Trash, ahem, Trump, you've managed to scare everyone absolutely to death. Do people care more about defeating you, Clinton's policy-platform choices (until-unless she shifts) or her VP choice? It's seems to be a toss up. I'm betting on their fear of you.
Hillary, did you and your dear hubby enjoy yourselves at Donny and Melania's wedding reception?
7-23-16@1:34 am
Hillary, did you and your dear hubby enjoy yourselves at Donny and Melania's wedding reception?
7-23-16@1:34 am
July 21, 2016
Hillary Clinton @HillaryClinton tweets:
"I’m with you*" —@realDonaldTrump
*Not included: women, African Americans, LGBT people, Muslims, Latinos, immigrants...
July 22, 2016
Hillary picks a privileged, straight, Catholic, white guy as her VP.
Hillary Clinton @HillaryClinton tweets:
"I’m with you*" —@realDonaldTrump
*Not included: women, African Americans, LGBT people, Muslims, Latinos, immigrants...
July 22, 2016
Hillary picks a privileged, straight, Catholic, white guy as her VP.
6
Brilliant.
He makes Pence look like Frankenstein's monster by comparison.
And let's not kid ourselves; Pence is more of a danger than Trump because he is the Koch's errand boy. They own the Senate, we don't need them owning the White House.
They'd put the knife in Trump in a New York minute.
He makes Pence look like Frankenstein's monster by comparison.
And let's not kid ourselves; Pence is more of a danger than Trump because he is the Koch's errand boy. They own the Senate, we don't need them owning the White House.
They'd put the knife in Trump in a New York minute.
4
The Kochs are supporting Clinton -- no surprise really
5
This is a great pick! Thanks Hillary.
6
I have grown accustomed to the blind ignorance on the right, but the blind ignorance on the left is truly disappointing. The blanket accusation that Tim Kaine is "anti-regulation" is un-true. Tim Kaine's letter advised against any unintended consequences of regulations toward community banks and saving and loans. You know... those small banks all those people angry at Wall Street switched to during Occupy Wall Street? The letter did not call for rollback of any regulation.
He also supports distinguishing regional banks which are NOT too big to fail and banks like CitiBank or B of A, in terms of how much capital cushion is required for each.
Now, I can understand if you disagree with Kaine in these positions. But the blanket accusations of him being a Wall Street shill is too much.
He also supports distinguishing regional banks which are NOT too big to fail and banks like CitiBank or B of A, in terms of how much capital cushion is required for each.
Now, I can understand if you disagree with Kaine in these positions. But the blanket accusations of him being a Wall Street shill is too much.
10
Considering his positions on bank deregulation, TPP, and foreign policy, he and Hillary are two peas in a pod. And progressives be damned, evidently. It is, perhaps, another tone-deaf calculation.
12
And why many of us will vote for Jill Stein. Let the republicans vote for Clinton.
9
We progressives should simply move in mass to the green party. Why stay in the Democratic party and complain. They don't represent us, let us leave. Then they can court us the way they court the middle.
7
To be blunt a Kaine ticket is as boring as a Pence ticket.
But that's the idea. We don't need any more talk of Pocohantas or an artificial alliance with Sanders.
Let the democrats get to the real goal of winning the Presidential elections
But that's the idea. We don't need any more talk of Pocohantas or an artificial alliance with Sanders.
Let the democrats get to the real goal of winning the Presidential elections
5
Brilliant choice...... I agree specifically with the "white men deficit" issue......absolutely true.
4
Kaine taught legal ethics for six years at the University of Richmond School of Law. Maybe he will rein Bill, your son-in-law, and you in with respect to milking the financial advantages if you are elected. Or maybe he will tell you how to abuse the system even more. Can't even imagine what Bill will achieve with donors to the "Foundation" if you are president.
5
President Obama taught Constitutional Law and all that did was make him slightly uncomfortable as the eternal "War" on Terror continued forcing him into unconstitutional acts.
6
Great choice for the Republicans she wants to attract. After all it is about winning numbers. So why not add a few. If you stand up for what everybody wants. You eliminate choice. It is then easier to attract more votes like Trump did.
3
Tim Kaine, like yours truly, is a "Jesuit trained" Catholic from Missouri. We're dangerous to the status quo, we always question authority, and we burn at social injustice. Some Catholics consider us radical. The Jesuits taught me about the greenhouse effect and climate change in....1983, unheard of at that time.
Tim took the additional step of serving the Jesuit school of El Progreso in Honduras. I have the feeling he is one of those people, as the Clintons have learned, that the more you know, the more you like. I believe this sturdy goodness will come across positively and admirably to Americans particularly during this election.
Tim took the additional step of serving the Jesuit school of El Progreso in Honduras. I have the feeling he is one of those people, as the Clintons have learned, that the more you know, the more you like. I believe this sturdy goodness will come across positively and admirably to Americans particularly during this election.
192
Speaking of Honduras, we can expect more support for military coups to enforce corporate interests and World Bank diktat like Clinton backed in that country.
8
So why does this radical Tim Kaine support the TPP and the financial industry? I guess Jesuits are also not opposed to Organized Money?
7
I was thrilled, electrified at the prospect of a Clinton-Warren ticket. But this choice makes sense. It makes it easier for the Senate to become Democratic, helps put Virginia's votes behind Clinton and enables decent Republicans who are horrified to not vote for him.
Trump must be defeated. Kaine is a fine choice to help the cause.
Trump must be defeated. Kaine is a fine choice to help the cause.
9
The pick is sooooooo Hillary, sooooooooo establishment. Nauseating. More of the same old same old. And my other choice is Trump. Nauseating again. The system is broken.
18
After reading a backgrounder on Timothy Kaine I believe Hillary has made a good choice. Hillary for President.
8
Kaine is a proven pragmatic fair minded progressive. Good choice.
9
Basically a moderate republican just like Hillary. Goes to show, for all the feel good social issues; it's the finical interest, and deregulation of, that really matters... It's all about the money, and the interest of Wall St.
12
I am an Independent who does NOT trust Hillary...and after the mementous
and courageous campaign...which Bernie waged....all the voters who are
for Bernie....are NOT going to accept a centrist .....How Dare She !!!!
I am going to vote for Hillary ONLY if Bernie campaigns for her and this
centrist...
Hillary...is still not going to be ...whitewashed by just a "nice guy" ...but by
a very fine guy like Bernie..
I hope Bernie endorses Tim Kaine...or I will vote for Gary Johnson and Bill
Weld...at least they are honest.
and courageous campaign...which Bernie waged....all the voters who are
for Bernie....are NOT going to accept a centrist .....How Dare She !!!!
I am going to vote for Hillary ONLY if Bernie campaigns for her and this
centrist...
Hillary...is still not going to be ...whitewashed by just a "nice guy" ...but by
a very fine guy like Bernie..
I hope Bernie endorses Tim Kaine...or I will vote for Gary Johnson and Bill
Weld...at least they are honest.
6
I think Hillary made a wise decision in selecting Tim Kane as her VP. He is a former governor, a Senate member and on the Senate foreign relations committee. I like his background as an attorney. I pretty much like his stances on issues except trade. Hillary is going to have a tough time reconciling this issue with the Trump campaign. Being a progressive Democrat I would have liked a more progressive VP however this is not the the election year to pick one. The main concern to me is to defeat Trump/Pence and retake the Senate.
Those who are disappointed with Hillary's choice have to keep in mind that the next President is going to be appointing new justices on the Supreme Court which is extremely important. Keep in mind there is more riding on this election than who the VP is.
Those who are disappointed with Hillary's choice have to keep in mind that the next President is going to be appointing new justices on the Supreme Court which is extremely important. Keep in mind there is more riding on this election than who the VP is.
8
Astonishing choice.
Tone deaf to desperate Americans for whom globalization isn't working.
Tone deaf to young Americans who understand the system is rigged against them.
Tone deaf to students who are financially busted with college loan debt. Living at home with their folks. Not in the workforce. Not getting married. Not starting the next generation.
Tone deaf to the progressives who are going to make or break the vote.
Tone deaf to all of us who understand the calamity of even less-regulated banks.
I support Hillary, but this is hers to lose and choosing Kaine, albeit an honorable and decent man, was a tone-deaf choice.
Tone deaf to desperate Americans for whom globalization isn't working.
Tone deaf to young Americans who understand the system is rigged against them.
Tone deaf to students who are financially busted with college loan debt. Living at home with their folks. Not in the workforce. Not getting married. Not starting the next generation.
Tone deaf to the progressives who are going to make or break the vote.
Tone deaf to all of us who understand the calamity of even less-regulated banks.
I support Hillary, but this is hers to lose and choosing Kaine, albeit an honorable and decent man, was a tone-deaf choice.
9
If Clinton is such a bad pick, where is the outrage from Bernie's supporters for his endorsement of her?
6
.
.
Senator Kaine has links to 2 battleground states (Missouri and Virginia) and 2 racially-mixed cities (Kansas City and Richmond).
He's been a Mayor, Governor, and Senator. His wife is a judge whose father was a (Republican) Governor of Virginia. He has a Harvard Law degree and familiarity with manufacturing.
I'd think he's as fitting as anyone for the nomination for VP. Plus, he would continue the Obama policy of having a Catholic Vice President (Gov. Pence used to be Catholic).
.
Senator Kaine has links to 2 battleground states (Missouri and Virginia) and 2 racially-mixed cities (Kansas City and Richmond).
He's been a Mayor, Governor, and Senator. His wife is a judge whose father was a (Republican) Governor of Virginia. He has a Harvard Law degree and familiarity with manufacturing.
I'd think he's as fitting as anyone for the nomination for VP. Plus, he would continue the Obama policy of having a Catholic Vice President (Gov. Pence used to be Catholic).
4
Whoa, the media jumps all over Trunp for tweeting his VP pick, but Clinton gets a pass for using a text message?
Welcome to 1990 Hillary!
Welcome to 1990 Hillary!
5
Did Hillary wait to see who Trump would pick before making her running mate decision? Was this supposed to remove or ease the burden for her to choose a progressive?
...wow...
7-23-16@1:15 am
...wow...
7-23-16@1:15 am
4
After the DNC conspired against Bernie-who could vote for this pathological liar??? WRITE IN BERNIE!!!
7
Better yet, vote for Jill Stein.
6
The Sanders crowd is making 19-year-old kids out to be middle-aged adults concerned that Wall Street will eviscerate their retirement and Social Security. On the contrary, millenial voters are unlikely to look beyond Clinton's plans for free college tuition, re-financing of student loan debt, keeping Roe intact, and protecting the environment. At that point, they won't care about the TPP, banks, Wall Street, or Kaine, one way or the other.
That's today's youth. The OWS crowd is not. Not anymore. Priorities have changed, at least for now, and Clinton has read the tea leaves as they ought to be read. Much of the credit goes to President Obama, and Clinton deserves a lot of credit herself for taking Sanders seriously.
Besides, if she is so awful, why are he and Warren endorsing her?
That's today's youth. The OWS crowd is not. Not anymore. Priorities have changed, at least for now, and Clinton has read the tea leaves as they ought to be read. Much of the credit goes to President Obama, and Clinton deserves a lot of credit herself for taking Sanders seriously.
Besides, if she is so awful, why are he and Warren endorsing her?
6
The good news is, Kaine has an F rating from the NRA.
9
Very disappointing in this pick. She really needed to pick someone close to Bernie Sanders and she picked someone that wants to deregulate banks and thinks the trade pacts have been good for us. Another old, white, male, career politician with very republican views.
I was behind her when Sanders endorsed her. With this pick I'm putting my vote elsewhere.
I was behind her when Sanders endorsed her. With this pick I'm putting my vote elsewhere.
9
Help Bernie by voting Dem in November. We need to retake the Congress for Bernie and Elizabeth to accomplish their goals. Allowing Trump to win will put back progressives for a long time.
1
Based on the breathless coverage so far, I am curious, when did the Grey Lady give up an semblance of fair and neutral coverage of this particular election?
4
Zero respect for anyone who signs on to work with the Clinton's
8
"Too conservative" a choice for Mrs. Clinton to make? Interesting. I've been a Democrat for over 50 years and one of the things I've always liked about this party is that it has nearly always represented all of us, dramatically liberal and conservatively conservative alike. Mr Sander's take no prisoners attitude never had much appeal for me, too much emotion, not enough reflection. Mr. Kane might be just the right choice to complete a ticket to contest the the toxic mess on the other side.
123
As a progressive female Democrat he reads as a right oriented conservative to me. So all the lessons of Bernie's popular rise have been lost on Clinton. Normally I man phones, wave signs, door knock. Not this time much as I hate Trump. I will still vote Blue but this choice tipped me into a passivity I have not felt in ten years.
46
So, Mr Kaine...all of the criminality that was detailed from Mr. Comey about your running mate. That doesn't bother you?
5
Same old, same old, business as usual, war and more war, elite's choice for dominion and to keep things going in their favor. Bye, Bye middle class with this ticket, The do as your told ticket !
12
Kaine is fine, just wish he was running as the VP of someone else.
3
A "popular" choice ? I don't think so! I'm sure 90% of Americans and 100% of non-Americans never heard about this man - until yesterday. And to be told that he was (is?) a Jesuit - one of Roman Catholicism's most sinister sub-cults and an ex-missionary is just the right recipe to estrange the millions on non-Catholic and secular voters. Hillary has made a serious error of judgement in choosing her running mate and it will cost her dearly.
12
Nonsense. Senator Kaine is a solid choice for VP that will appeal to the vast majority of centrist voters who feel neglected given all the disproportionate attention given to the whims of the extreme right and left voters. He is well qualified by experience and temperament to serve as VP and be a "heartbeat away".
6
I cannot understand the grumbling; there is a very real chance Trump will be your next President, PLEASE, unite and do EVERYTHING you can to make sure that doesn't happen.
8
For all of you HRC supporters who are braying about SCOTUS, here's something that trumps even that:
TPP.
By choosing Kaine, HRC has proven she intends to pass it, in addition to playing footsie--at minimum--with the banking industry. If those items weren't prominent pieces of her true agenda, she'd never have chosen Tim Kaine.
Whether you realize it or not, she's just handed a great big bow-topped present to Donald Trump with this decision.
TPP.
By choosing Kaine, HRC has proven she intends to pass it, in addition to playing footsie--at minimum--with the banking industry. If those items weren't prominent pieces of her true agenda, she'd never have chosen Tim Kaine.
Whether you realize it or not, she's just handed a great big bow-topped present to Donald Trump with this decision.
12
Just game plan execution, Southern VP- check. Rational people live in the swing states, so Hillary is polled to win. But no politics are as usual. The Secret Service will have to give Obama-sized protection for Hillary against the Trump and Tea Party crazies. The threat is real given the vitriol at the outrageous RNC.
7
I'm thinking this may precipitate a Nader-like dynamic only, instead of a 3rd party candidate drawing off votes it will be "none of the above."
4
Great choice, Hillary!
7
Mrs. Clinton is doing everything she possibly can to lose this election. Picking a running mate who is more Republican than Democrat brings the election of Mr. Trump ever closer.
13
Yawn. Clinton has just back stabbed the progressive Democrats and independent voters. The Green Party seems like a viable option. The time is now to start building a third party, if in the process we elect Trump, so be it.
12
Then I guess you believe that in order to save the nation you must destroy it. Right?
6
The gifts thing is a problem. (The list of 'stuff' reads a bit like Sarah Palin's VP 'spree,' which was widely -- and appropriately -- ridiculed.)
It shows lousy / lazy judgment on his part ... but that's on him and in the past.
Unfortunately, in the Present, having this info and still choosing him shows some disconnect on HER part.
$120k, $160k, whatever the actual figure ... that's real money, and a LOT of it, to majority of Americans. But to one who pulls down $250k per speaking engagement, not so much? Maybe a bit out of touch on this one?
Past + Present could easily determine the FUTURE.
And that would be truly tragic.
Because no sentient being really wants Trump. So ... why make it one iota easier for him to get there???
It shows lousy / lazy judgment on his part ... but that's on him and in the past.
Unfortunately, in the Present, having this info and still choosing him shows some disconnect on HER part.
$120k, $160k, whatever the actual figure ... that's real money, and a LOT of it, to majority of Americans. But to one who pulls down $250k per speaking engagement, not so much? Maybe a bit out of touch on this one?
Past + Present could easily determine the FUTURE.
And that would be truly tragic.
Because no sentient being really wants Trump. So ... why make it one iota easier for him to get there???
6
Hillary Clinton plays it safe but I hoped she wouldn't. I hoped she would make a bold choice -but deep down I knew better.
There I was hoping I would get (finally) fired up about her lame campaign; but I am not. No, I will not vote for Trump, but good grief, Hillary makes it hard for me to vote for her. How much more bored can I get?
There I was hoping I would get (finally) fired up about her lame campaign; but I am not. No, I will not vote for Trump, but good grief, Hillary makes it hard for me to vote for her. How much more bored can I get?
7
I'm sorry you're bored. I'm sure many people wish that life could be one long non-stop thrill ride but it isn't. It's a long hard slog full of hard work and difficult choices.
6
LOL!!, stick a fork in her, she's done!
14
Hillary said she's "afflicted with the responsibility gene" ?
And Kaine thinks Hillary has a great "record of public service" ?
Terrific......a compulsive LIAR and completely DELUSIONAL pairing
up. God help us if these 2 get elected.
And the LIES they're telling their potential voters about Trump are just disgusting.
And Kaine thinks Hillary has a great "record of public service" ?
Terrific......a compulsive LIAR and completely DELUSIONAL pairing
up. God help us if these 2 get elected.
And the LIES they're telling their potential voters about Trump are just disgusting.
12
So I spent a day exploring the NY Times comment threads about the election and now, after reading over 600 comments here, I can sum up the entire Democratic campaign message:
Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader.
You have got to do better than that. Polling shows the threats are falling flat.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader, Supreme Court, Nader.
You have got to do better than that. Polling shows the threats are falling flat.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
6
It really doesn't matter. You're in NY and you can vote for Trump, Putin or Mugabe. Your choice, and it really doesn't matter.
6
if the Saunders supporters are serious about supporting Trump or sitting out the election, they'll get exactly what they deserve. Most of them are very young. They'll fight Trump's wars and their taxes will pay for them. And their lives will be blighted by Trumps SCOTUS picks.
The baby-boomers are on their way out; this is one of their last hurrahs. If the Sanders voters really mean what they say, they can skip the next few EDM festivals and get involved in local politics. That's where the real politics happens.
The baby-boomers are on their way out; this is one of their last hurrahs. If the Sanders voters really mean what they say, they can skip the next few EDM festivals and get involved in local politics. That's where the real politics happens.
4
Hillary's lack of judgment shines through again, just when she needs to gain trust from liberal and independent voters she selects a Vice Presidential nominee who wants to deregulate the banks.
What was she thinking?
What was she thinking?
10
The Clinton/Kaine ticket now cements one of the biggest pro corporate "Democratic" tickets to date. We know exactly who and what will be represented by Clinton/Kaine from the Oval Office...the banks, TPP and any other legislation that puts the interests of Wall Street and corporations first. It is one big middle finger to the millions of Sanders supporters and a real progressive agenda. I will be happy to vote for Jill Stein or write-in Sanders.
51
After reading more about him, it becomes clear that Tim Kaine represents compassion and humility—those Christian values so sorely missing in the orange dumpster and many of our other politicians.
9
Hillary thinks that the 13 million people who voted for Bernie are insignificant and are to be ignored. WE believe in the middle class and democracy and will fight for our beliefs.
11
Agreed, keep fighting. Keeping Trump out of the White House is a big part of that fight.
5
I Wish Obama could have a third term. Oh well.
3
We don't have to do anything anymore!! You have to go out and VOTE for HILLARY/ TIM. If not , welcome to the "United State of TRUMP; IVONKA and DONALD JUNIOR. They will Run this nation.
8
Better than Barack ,Michelle and his mother in law in whitehouse
4
Is Hillary Clinton and team trying to lose? She is pretty much tied with Trump at this point.
No doubt her status quo base will be thrilled with this pick, but it's as if Clinton and her supporters are tone deaf to rest of the country. Economy is key to Dems, as 'security' is to Republicans. TPP corporate backing Dems are going to have a hard sell to make to the majority of independents and working poor;
With this pick, she's affirmed her status quo establishment position. Trump has a through line of attack.
Some Sanders supporter will 'hold their noses' and others like myself will demexit in search for a progressive movement and party.
No doubt her status quo base will be thrilled with this pick, but it's as if Clinton and her supporters are tone deaf to rest of the country. Economy is key to Dems, as 'security' is to Republicans. TPP corporate backing Dems are going to have a hard sell to make to the majority of independents and working poor;
With this pick, she's affirmed her status quo establishment position. Trump has a through line of attack.
Some Sanders supporter will 'hold their noses' and others like myself will demexit in search for a progressive movement and party.
14
That is the position of elitists with nothing to lose. People who depend on Obama care, gays who care about their rights (to give two examples) have much to lose with a Trump presidency and a Republican Congress.
And what do you get? The ability to sit around complaining for four years as everything you claim to believe in gets rolled back. You get to feel superior to the stupid people who voted for President Trump.
Wake up. Politics is about winning and making progress, it's not about sending messages and losing. Every moderate voter Tim Kaine brings to the ticket is a vote for progress on what liberals say they care about.
And what do you get? The ability to sit around complaining for four years as everything you claim to believe in gets rolled back. You get to feel superior to the stupid people who voted for President Trump.
Wake up. Politics is about winning and making progress, it's not about sending messages and losing. Every moderate voter Tim Kaine brings to the ticket is a vote for progress on what liberals say they care about.
7
I am thrilled and relieved. This week's terrifying unreality show was like some kind of alternate universe, entirely fabricated, with nothing at the core. Just having decent, thoughtful, well-meaning, relatable, balanced people means everything at this time. As to the fine points of policy, they will work it out as they go along... Intention is everything.
8
So a corrupt government is ok as long as democrats are in power? Hillary is decent, thoughtful, well-meaning, balanced?
Wow that's amazing !!
Wow that's amazing !!
4
I'm still wondering if Hillary will still be tilting at windmills with more efforts at gun control. Is she going to legislate gun laws for Germany, Norway and France too?
Her choice of Kaine makes sense on that front as well. He was the governor that had to deal with the Virginia Tech massacre.
Her choice of Kaine makes sense on that front as well. He was the governor that had to deal with the Virginia Tech massacre.
4
I have never been more uninspired by the apparent choices. I will cast a ballot this November because I care about a couple of the state ballot initiatives, otherwise I would stay home. Clinton/Kaine no more represent my values than Trump/Pence. Stunning the Clinton political machine is to out of touch with Americans even after Brexit. Trump just might pull if off. Thanks, HRC.
50
What I'm gleaning from the comments is that those who support Hillary are really, really glad they support Hillary, but that those who don't support Hillary are strongly inclined to vote for someone else.
In two weeks, of course, passions will have cooled. Those who are really, really glad they support Hillary will still support Hillary, though they may no longer be really, really glad they do. Many of those who vow to vote against her now will have softened and they'll vote for her. Only a few will stick to their guns and refuse to vote for her. And a few who weren't planning to vote for her will vote for her BECAUSE she picked Kaine.
That last group will be very small. On balance, she'll lose a few votes. But not many. VP picks just don't matter that much. Never have, never will.
In two weeks, of course, passions will have cooled. Those who are really, really glad they support Hillary will still support Hillary, though they may no longer be really, really glad they do. Many of those who vow to vote against her now will have softened and they'll vote for her. Only a few will stick to their guns and refuse to vote for her. And a few who weren't planning to vote for her will vote for her BECAUSE she picked Kaine.
That last group will be very small. On balance, she'll lose a few votes. But not many. VP picks just don't matter that much. Never have, never will.
2
While I think Tim Kaine is a better and more Progressive guy than he's credited with being, I've thought him a dreadful "safe" pick advised by the same advisers that suggested Clinton NOT do too many debates and do them on Saturday nights when nobody is watching. These same advisers are the ones that advised Bill how to do JUST enough to get across the finish line, but not enough to win a majority or take back either House.
Will Kaine lock down Virginia? Virginians don't vote like that. Will the gray haired guy bore us to death taking on the other gray-haired guy?
And how on EARTH does Clinton expect to capture the bulk of Bernie Sanders voters many of who detest her with THIS guy on the ticket, who shows NOTHING of the Progressive fire of Bernie or Liz Warren? With the right pick, Hillary would EASILY capture 75% of Sanders voters, and THEY WOULD TURN OUT FOR HER! Now? She'll be lucky to get 60%, if that, and the rest will stay home or vote for Jill Stein.
Because chasing Republicans and right-leaning Indies is a waste of time and resources and PRECISELY drives away the voters she needs: The Democratic base, minorities, and the idealistic, Progressive Left.
No, she didn't step in it the way Trump did with Pence, but this hardly stands as a steely-eyed, hard decision making moment. More like taking the easy way out and it WILL hurt her. Ironically, I think Kaine do very well as VP if they win.
If they win.
Will Kaine lock down Virginia? Virginians don't vote like that. Will the gray haired guy bore us to death taking on the other gray-haired guy?
And how on EARTH does Clinton expect to capture the bulk of Bernie Sanders voters many of who detest her with THIS guy on the ticket, who shows NOTHING of the Progressive fire of Bernie or Liz Warren? With the right pick, Hillary would EASILY capture 75% of Sanders voters, and THEY WOULD TURN OUT FOR HER! Now? She'll be lucky to get 60%, if that, and the rest will stay home or vote for Jill Stein.
Because chasing Republicans and right-leaning Indies is a waste of time and resources and PRECISELY drives away the voters she needs: The Democratic base, minorities, and the idealistic, Progressive Left.
No, she didn't step in it the way Trump did with Pence, but this hardly stands as a steely-eyed, hard decision making moment. More like taking the easy way out and it WILL hurt her. Ironically, I think Kaine do very well as VP if they win.
If they win.
6
Nope:
"I would be curious to know if Clinton and her team considered any of the Democratic U.S. Senators who voted against the Iraq Resolution in October 2002."
I very strongly opposed the Iraq War, and George Bush. But I do give Bush credit for forcing a Senate vote before the 2002 midterm election. The Democrats initially insisted that the vote be put off until after the election. They argued that Bush didn't need the vote any earlier, since he wasn't planning to attack Iraq, if at all, until the spring of 2003. But Bush insisted that he wanted the Senators to go "on the record" before the election. Predictably, most of them caved and voted FOR war -- notably Hillary, of course. They were afraid voters would punish them if they voted against it.
And they were right. That's precisely why none of the "AGAINST" Senators mentioned by this commenter -- Stabenow, Wyden, Murray, Feingold (who's not actually a Senator, of course, but why quibble about that?) -- were never in the running for VP this time (or in the past).
The reality in American politics is that many politicians say they're anti-war, but few of them actually vote that way. If they ever expect to run for President, they vote FOR war. That's what Hillary's pollsters told her, and that's how she voted. When she did, I never thought she'd be punished for her vote. Now it looks like she may be. My feelings on that: "Couldn't happen to a nicer mediocrity."
"I would be curious to know if Clinton and her team considered any of the Democratic U.S. Senators who voted against the Iraq Resolution in October 2002."
I very strongly opposed the Iraq War, and George Bush. But I do give Bush credit for forcing a Senate vote before the 2002 midterm election. The Democrats initially insisted that the vote be put off until after the election. They argued that Bush didn't need the vote any earlier, since he wasn't planning to attack Iraq, if at all, until the spring of 2003. But Bush insisted that he wanted the Senators to go "on the record" before the election. Predictably, most of them caved and voted FOR war -- notably Hillary, of course. They were afraid voters would punish them if they voted against it.
And they were right. That's precisely why none of the "AGAINST" Senators mentioned by this commenter -- Stabenow, Wyden, Murray, Feingold (who's not actually a Senator, of course, but why quibble about that?) -- were never in the running for VP this time (or in the past).
The reality in American politics is that many politicians say they're anti-war, but few of them actually vote that way. If they ever expect to run for President, they vote FOR war. That's what Hillary's pollsters told her, and that's how she voted. When she did, I never thought she'd be punished for her vote. Now it looks like she may be. My feelings on that: "Couldn't happen to a nicer mediocrity."
3
Is it a coincidence that the VP is announced the same time that Wikileaks puts thousands of emails from the DNC on their servers that showed the DNC trying to take down Bernie?
I'm beginning to think that we are all being manipulated. I'm calling my mom.
I'm beginning to think that we are all being manipulated. I'm calling my mom.
8
The convention is next week so it's about time to announce a VP pick. You're being a bit paranoid.
5
A moderate? Is this the best HRC can do? She already IS a moderate... where are the liberals when we need them!?! :( I'm still voting Stein it looks like
8
No way will this progressive vote for the strengthening of the oligarchy with Hillary and Tim.
I will vote Jill Stein and the Green party.
I will vote Jill Stein and the Green party.
12
A vote for the Green Party is a vote for Trump.
9
Just don't get vaccinated--she really doesn't believe in that.
2
Enjoy President Trump, then.
7
He's actually a reasonable Democrat, which is refreshing. Too bad he's not the candidate, since there's no way I could vote for Hillary. Perhaps he'll be the nominee in 2020.
2
I guess Clinton intends to lose. This choice for VP completely dooms her campaign.
#NeverHillary
#PresidentSanders
#NeverHillary
#PresidentSanders
8
No, Baruch, a choice of your candidate as vice president would have doomed the Clinton campaign. Ideas near and dear to your candidate will be part of the Clinton presidency, as they ought to be. However, the continuing lack of party loyalty by diehard Sanders supporters may still give the needed edge to Trump, the ultimate demagogue. Thanks for worse than nothing, Baruch.
4
How sweet. Kaine and unAble...
7
It's hard to imagine two more boring vice presidents.
5
I'm wondering if Ms. Clinton is a little overconfident in her chance for victory with the choice of Tim Kaine. Mr. Kaine is not going to sit well with progressives, especially Sander's progressive by pushing hard for TPP and actively pushing bank deregulation.
Kaine signed two letters on Monday urging federal regulators to go easy on banks ― one to help big banks dodge risk management rules, and another to help small banks avoid consumer protection standards.
The big bank letter would help major firms including Capital One, PNC Bank and U.S. Bank, all of which control hundreds of billions of dollars in assets. Such large “regional banks,” Kaine writes, are being discriminated against based solely on the fact that they are so big.
Ms. Clinton is actively banking on the support of women and minorities and that might be enough to win. But she is also thumbing her nose at progressives, seems willing to let income inequality to go on unabated and, by the way, I don't think we'll be seeing her Wall Street speeches anytime soon.
And some people wonder why her trust level among so many people is so low.
Kaine signed two letters on Monday urging federal regulators to go easy on banks ― one to help big banks dodge risk management rules, and another to help small banks avoid consumer protection standards.
The big bank letter would help major firms including Capital One, PNC Bank and U.S. Bank, all of which control hundreds of billions of dollars in assets. Such large “regional banks,” Kaine writes, are being discriminated against based solely on the fact that they are so big.
Ms. Clinton is actively banking on the support of women and minorities and that might be enough to win. But she is also thumbing her nose at progressives, seems willing to let income inequality to go on unabated and, by the way, I don't think we'll be seeing her Wall Street speeches anytime soon.
And some people wonder why her trust level among so many people is so low.
15
Something needs to be said about the many comments by Hillary Clinton supporters trying to brow-beat, shame and bully former or current Sander's supporters into voting for Clinton as if they have no right as a citizen to do otherwise.
First, no one likes being condescended to. As a tactic it doesn't work. Why would I feel inclined to join a group who thinks I'm infantile and naive and am doing something just to spite them?
Secondly, get on your high horse and brow-beat the vast majority of apathetic Americans who actually NEVER vote.
Progressives and Sander's voters are engaged and have fairly participated in the primaries and political system. We have shown up and voted. Just because we don't support Clinton does not make us petulant voters throwing our votes away in protest. Some may by threatening to vote for Trump, but those voting for a third party candidate is NOT a "wasting vote."
Re: Ralph Nader argument. Nader didn't cause Gore to lose. Gore won the election. remember? He won. The Supreme Court and the shadiness in Florida with Jeb Bush gave the presidency to Bush. How could Nader have been the cause of Gore getting more electoral and popular votes than Bush and the Supreme Court giving it to Bush?
Whether Dems like it or not, 3rd party platforms will become more viable and attractive to Americans who understand that both the Democratic and the Republican parties no longer represent the interests of the people. Either you make a stand, or you don't.
First, no one likes being condescended to. As a tactic it doesn't work. Why would I feel inclined to join a group who thinks I'm infantile and naive and am doing something just to spite them?
Secondly, get on your high horse and brow-beat the vast majority of apathetic Americans who actually NEVER vote.
Progressives and Sander's voters are engaged and have fairly participated in the primaries and political system. We have shown up and voted. Just because we don't support Clinton does not make us petulant voters throwing our votes away in protest. Some may by threatening to vote for Trump, but those voting for a third party candidate is NOT a "wasting vote."
Re: Ralph Nader argument. Nader didn't cause Gore to lose. Gore won the election. remember? He won. The Supreme Court and the shadiness in Florida with Jeb Bush gave the presidency to Bush. How could Nader have been the cause of Gore getting more electoral and popular votes than Bush and the Supreme Court giving it to Bush?
Whether Dems like it or not, 3rd party platforms will become more viable and attractive to Americans who understand that both the Democratic and the Republican parties no longer represent the interests of the people. Either you make a stand, or you don't.
13
You can play semantics but Gore wasn't the president largely because of Nader. If there was no Nader it would never have been close enough to go to the courts. There is no better example of an election where throwing your vote away came back to but you hard
6
No one is trying to browbeat anyone. Vote as you feel you must. When another Scalia, or worse, is appointed, and we see the consequences then perhaps it will be possible to have a more nuanced conversation. But then, of course, it will be too late. Another hideous reactionary will be ensconced for life on the highest court. Let's support progressives like Russ Feingold--who, by the way, is running as a Democrat--and Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who are supporting this ticket, and let's push Clinton-Kaine left as hard as we can, but don't kid yourself that voting for a third party candidate in this election is doing anything but helping Trump/Pence, and oh what a hideous pair they are.
5
The red arrow in her logo points to the right. Truth in advertising I guess...
11
Maybe she thinks she's going to peel away a few Trump voters by picking the guy who promised to protect the big banks. No...Wait.. didn't Trump promise to break up the banks Kaine was going to protect? Wait.. Oh... wait.. is this the 2016 insanity parade?
10
Tim Kane is both a beneficiary and a cause of Virginia moving from solid Republican to a state where Democrats have a fighting chance. Virginia had two Democrats in a row as governor and with Virginia allowing only one term, each then ran for the U.S. Senate and each won. Mark Warner, now a senator like Kaine, was even more popular as governor, but he lacks Kaine's long record of winning elections and well as Kaine's experience on military and in matters of foreign affairs.
Both Kaine and Clinton scare me because I don't have a sense that they have a bold, clear vision for the future of the nation. Kaine has a background that shows compassion and commitment and has held enough elected offices (mayor, governor, senator) that he should know how the wheels work at all levels, but unless knowledge is backed up by determination and vision, it could amount to a caretaker presidency.
We have major problems. More of those problems have been exposed in this outrageous election year when it has been made apparent in both parties that our means of picking presidential nominees are deeply flawed. The time to act is now.
No American citizen should be locked in permanent poverty. No one should be homeless against their will. No local police dept. should be able to do violence to its citizens and not pay a heavy price. We can act on these and many other problems, but it takes leadership both from the top and from down below, bubbling up from active citizens. Ready?
Both Kaine and Clinton scare me because I don't have a sense that they have a bold, clear vision for the future of the nation. Kaine has a background that shows compassion and commitment and has held enough elected offices (mayor, governor, senator) that he should know how the wheels work at all levels, but unless knowledge is backed up by determination and vision, it could amount to a caretaker presidency.
We have major problems. More of those problems have been exposed in this outrageous election year when it has been made apparent in both parties that our means of picking presidential nominees are deeply flawed. The time to act is now.
No American citizen should be locked in permanent poverty. No one should be homeless against their will. No local police dept. should be able to do violence to its citizens and not pay a heavy price. We can act on these and many other problems, but it takes leadership both from the top and from down below, bubbling up from active citizens. Ready?
11
According to a two-week-old Pew poll, 85% of Sanders's supporters plan to vote for Clinton, including those who aren't thrilled at the option:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/08/bernie-sanders...
That might change slightly with Kaine as Clinton's VP pick, but I'd wager that the Hill-hating Sanders supporters here will remain a very, very tiny minority.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/08/bernie-sanders...
That might change slightly with Kaine as Clinton's VP pick, but I'd wager that the Hill-hating Sanders supporters here will remain a very, very tiny minority.
6
I'm one of the growing number of independent voters who are turned off by partisan politics and disgusted by the increasingly obvious inequities in our society that are resulting in huge gains by a small sliver of our population at the expense of everyone else.
As an independent voter in a state with closed primaries, I wasn't able to vote for Sanders in the primary. I've been thinking hard about the general election. There's no chance I'd ever vote for Trump. The question has been whether I could get myself to vote for Clinton. The answer is no.
I want a president that I'm confident will take on the big-moneyed interests that are corrupting our political and economic systems and fight for the reforms our country desperately needs. Clinton is not that person.
So, I'm going to cast my vote in the general election for the person I wasn't able to vote for in the primaries – Bernie Sanders. (I'll write him in). Looking ahead, I'll be hoping that in 2020 there will be a candidate, such as Warren, who'll truly be committed to fixing what fundamentally needs fixing.
As an independent voter in a state with closed primaries, I wasn't able to vote for Sanders in the primary. I've been thinking hard about the general election. There's no chance I'd ever vote for Trump. The question has been whether I could get myself to vote for Clinton. The answer is no.
I want a president that I'm confident will take on the big-moneyed interests that are corrupting our political and economic systems and fight for the reforms our country desperately needs. Clinton is not that person.
So, I'm going to cast my vote in the general election for the person I wasn't able to vote for in the primaries – Bernie Sanders. (I'll write him in). Looking ahead, I'll be hoping that in 2020 there will be a candidate, such as Warren, who'll truly be committed to fixing what fundamentally needs fixing.
11
So then you are ok with Trump Pence presidency. Don't waste your vote on protest. Remember Brexit. See the big picture. You can't change a government as large as ours overnight. We still have a two party system. Incremental change is the only practical way to get much of what we need in this country. I for one will take Clinton /Kaine over Trump/Pence any day. Clinton is more progressive than you think she is. The first big moneyed group I'd like her to tackle is the NRA. I can live with pharma and banking interests for now. If she can get gun legislation through, she'll stay as my hero forever.
3
2 old white people who've spent their lives on the teat of THE MAN, neither of whom has done an honest day's work in life. How historic!
6
Has Donald Trump now made it acceptable in "The New York Times" comment section to attack people based on their age and ethnicity? Two old Italian-Americans, two old Jews, two old black folks...? Fill in the blank. This sort of talk is dreadful and plays right into the hands of the proto-fascist just nominated by the Republicans. If you have any doubt, take a look at David Duke's recent endorsement of Trump. The Democrats may have not selected the best, most progressive candidates imaginable (almost any candidate is going to look pretty inept beside the present president), but Tim Kaine seems like a decent human being, which looks like a good place to start when the opposition is Mike Pence and Donald Trump. Demeaning people based on age and ethnicity should be out of bounds. It was until Trump appeared on the scene and somehow made it acceptable. The practice is very, very ugly.
5
In addition to what Tim Kaine brings in his own right, his selection offers a perfect contrast to the other side: the religiosity of Pence, the faux manliness of Trump, and the inconceivable thought that they actually agree about anything other than being elected.
5
This year's election will not hinge upon VP candidates. The fault line rests solely with Clinton and Trump!
5
There are 13 million of us who believe in Bernie's agenda.
We must come together.
Is it to be with Jill Stein and the Green party?
We must come together.
Is it to be with Jill Stein and the Green party?
11
Come together to do what? Help Trump win? I'm a Bernie supporter but I'm an American first and I agree with Bernie, we need to keep Trump as far away from D.C. as possible.
4
If the Clinton camp had chosen Elizabeth Warren to run with Hillary this would have meant two women from the Northeast on the same ticket—a clear violation of the balanced-ticket principle. But with Kaine instead of Warren the Democrats now have two known friends of Wall Street running together, which to my mind not only violates the balanced-ticket principle, but does so in such an obscene way in what is, after all, an election dominated by anti-establishment sentiment, that a Trump victory is now all but insured.
7
Democrats simply don't understand that the support for Bernie Sanders was signaling the need for change. It was loud and clear. The choice of Tim Kaine for VP means the Clinton is at best tone deaf and at worst paying a tad of lip service to the progressive reforms so many of us want.
12
After Wall Street crashed the economy and we working people paid for the malfeasance while the banksters got rewarded the lack of justice makes it impossible to vote Democratic this year. You really have to get very cynical and/or demoralized enough to align with the glaring subtext in the DNC platform: Crime Pays! If the Obama Admin. had prosecuted the offenders things might be different...but too late now.
9
She was wrong.
A white, male centrist?
How tone deaf can she be?
JEC
A white, male centrist?
How tone deaf can she be?
JEC
9
A racial and gender litmus test has been introduced for the Democratic Party? When did that happen?
3
Hillary is weakest in her appeal to white men. Maybe this will bring a few more of them over to her.
2
I don't want him just to bolster her so she gets elected, I want him so he can do the job. Now, Hillary and Tim....win.
2
Am torn but don't know who will be a better choice. Julian Castro, Tom Perez, Cory Booker all too novice I think and probably would not push back enough on Hillary when the need arises. I don't think Bernie really wanted it because quite frankly they wont't gel and I think putting another woman, especially Elizabeth Warren is way too risky. Shoot I am not sure the country is really ready for a female president , much less have two women run the show.
I think Kaine is strong enough to push back at Hillary and yet maintain their comfortable relationship. And Hillary is right- he is more than qualified to step in should, heaven forbid, something happened to her.
I think Kaine is strong enough to push back at Hillary and yet maintain their comfortable relationship. And Hillary is right- he is more than qualified to step in should, heaven forbid, something happened to her.
3
All these comments about TPP. Suddenly every twenty something is an expert on international trade, and globalism, and makes the TPP the most important litmus test. Such childish nonsense. Sure, I worry that it may need tweaking, but none other than President Barack Obama supports it, and that at a minimum adds some degree of benefit to my doubt. And anyone who thinks all trade agreements are bad is living in some alternate reality. International trade is here to stay folks. And a lot of jobs Americans used to do for dollars/hour are not coming back when they can be done for dimes/hours elsewhere. So, yes, Kaine is for TPP, and maybe experts can finds things that need to be fixed about it. But vote for Trumo based on this, or some alternatice candidate? Preposterous. You want a true litmus test issue. How about Obamacare. If you vote for Clinton/Kaine, MILLIONS of American families will be able to see doctors when they are sick and injured. If you vote Trump/Pence, millions of families will LOSE their health insurance. Period. End of story. No need to check any fine print. TPP indeed.
5
Two centrist corporatist democrats, reflecting neither the diversity or the future of the party or nation.
Clearly Hillary isn't courting Bernie supporters with this pick, as Kaine is very much in favor of TPP. I keep reading that Hillary is trying to appeal to working class white men And the Democratic Party establishment in a politically calculated way. So be it. But there is no way that we are expected to believe that these two Democrats will be progressive and that Trump won't have a line of attack into their disasterous trade positions. As a former Sanders supporters, I am not surprised. And this is the beginning of Hillary's quick pivot back to the center right. This is why the vote of former Sanders supporters is split in half and not guaranteed.
Who will this ticket inspire and rally?
Will it inspire young people?
Will it inspire progressives?
Will it mobilize the growing Black Lives Matter progressive movement?
I doubt it. Is it the fault of these movements? Many will suggest that it is if Hillary somehow loses in November.
Hillary's chances of losing or winning have nothing to do with 'disgruntled' former Sanders supporters exercising their right to vote for candidates who reflect their values, and have everything to do with her ability to rally and inspire. This may rally Clinton's base of older centrist voters, but it seems unlikely to tap into the new progressive energy. If I were a Hillary supporter, I would be worried.
Clearly Hillary isn't courting Bernie supporters with this pick, as Kaine is very much in favor of TPP. I keep reading that Hillary is trying to appeal to working class white men And the Democratic Party establishment in a politically calculated way. So be it. But there is no way that we are expected to believe that these two Democrats will be progressive and that Trump won't have a line of attack into their disasterous trade positions. As a former Sanders supporters, I am not surprised. And this is the beginning of Hillary's quick pivot back to the center right. This is why the vote of former Sanders supporters is split in half and not guaranteed.
Who will this ticket inspire and rally?
Will it inspire young people?
Will it inspire progressives?
Will it mobilize the growing Black Lives Matter progressive movement?
I doubt it. Is it the fault of these movements? Many will suggest that it is if Hillary somehow loses in November.
Hillary's chances of losing or winning have nothing to do with 'disgruntled' former Sanders supporters exercising their right to vote for candidates who reflect their values, and have everything to do with her ability to rally and inspire. This may rally Clinton's base of older centrist voters, but it seems unlikely to tap into the new progressive energy. If I were a Hillary supporter, I would be worried.
10
For folks who feel Clinton should have selected a more 'progressive' person as her running mate, I want you to think about what is needed not only in our president and vice president choices, but also in our congressional officials. We NEED progressives in the law-making arm of the federal government, as much as we need moderate to liberal judges in our courts (including the Supreme Court). I think Clinton's selection of Tim Kaine makes sense as she stated on Charlie Rose's program this week, she needs to select someone who could govern the country as president.
6
A safe, uninspired choice that will offend few and inspire even fewer.
5
The devil and Kaine, sounds about right.
1
Mword, I think you are wrong on same sex marriage. The tolerance to same sex marriage has been trending in favor over the last 5 - 6 years to where it is now about 55% in favor. The same is true about abortion (pro choice) over the last 2 years - trending towards pro choice to a bit over 50% now. As for prayer in school, while most favor (at about 60%), the favor group is trending down and is now the lowest in years. So, if the votes of the people do matter, those favoring abortion rights and same sex marriage, are not in the "extreme" but are now mainstream.
2
If she has "chemistry" with him, he's a liar, too.
2
I've thought for a long time that Clinton would not have the coattails to get control of Congress, so that once she was in the White House, impeachment would quickly follow. (Doesn't matter for what, given the Republican leadership's consuming hatred.) Now, with Kaine as vice president, I'm thinking that scenario is even more likely. Not only will the Congressional Republicans have a president that makes them nauseous, they will have a vice-president that looks as pleasant and soothing as Pepto-Bismol.
2
ProgressivePunch ranks senators and reps by their votes on issues important to progressives. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren are 1 and 2 on the list in the senate, with progressive scores of A. Tim Kaine is 40th out of 46 senators voting in the democratic block, with a score of F:
http://progressivepunch.org/scores.htm?house=senate
Kaine is a great fit for Hillary. He supports NAFTA and voted for TPP fast-track. He wants to weaken banking regulation, reducing consumer protections to a level below what they were before the 2008 crisis:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tim-kaine-clinton-vp_us_578fc8e3e4b0...
He is the very model of an establishment Democrat, having chaired the DNC for several years.
Maybe he'll get them Virginia, but at nine points up and with a Democratic governor, it looks like they had that anyway. Maybe he'll help them in Florida and a few other states with his Spanish. But in the country as a whole they already have an overwhelming lead among Hispanics. Maybe he'll get them some Republican defectors and independents who favor the Republican agenda. This is a natural constituency for Hillary.
But the campaign may have difficulty using him in the key swing states in the Midwest, where people might question the wisdom of exporting increasingly scarce jobs to the Pacific Rim with TPP.
It's a bold and risky political move to show her true colors in this fashion before the election.
http://progressivepunch.org/scores.htm?house=senate
Kaine is a great fit for Hillary. He supports NAFTA and voted for TPP fast-track. He wants to weaken banking regulation, reducing consumer protections to a level below what they were before the 2008 crisis:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tim-kaine-clinton-vp_us_578fc8e3e4b0...
He is the very model of an establishment Democrat, having chaired the DNC for several years.
Maybe he'll get them Virginia, but at nine points up and with a Democratic governor, it looks like they had that anyway. Maybe he'll help them in Florida and a few other states with his Spanish. But in the country as a whole they already have an overwhelming lead among Hispanics. Maybe he'll get them some Republican defectors and independents who favor the Republican agenda. This is a natural constituency for Hillary.
But the campaign may have difficulty using him in the key swing states in the Midwest, where people might question the wisdom of exporting increasingly scarce jobs to the Pacific Rim with TPP.
It's a bold and risky political move to show her true colors in this fashion before the election.
11
I guess she's not that interested in bringing the Bernie people on board, which may cost her dearly on election day, not because people will vote for Trump, but because they will stay home. Kaine is for off-shore drilling, supports TPP, and on and on and on. It is a tremendous slap in the face to Bernie Sanders, and a huge mistake. Simply not being a wackadoodle is not enough. There has to be not merely competence, but creative, courageous change, and Clinton is pretending she is sailing in a calm wind.
10
With this pick, Hillary is sending a clear message to finance and big banks, "This presidency is open for business."
13
Tim Kaine, a safe choice.
Definitely safe for Wall Street.
Safe for the 1%.
Safe for the establishment.
Clinton and Kaine, the ultimate insider ticket.
Dems are knocking themselves out to make this election close.
Definitely safe for Wall Street.
Safe for the 1%.
Safe for the establishment.
Clinton and Kaine, the ultimate insider ticket.
Dems are knocking themselves out to make this election close.
13
Another word people use for "insider" is "experienced." I guess I'm a bit out of touch with the mood these days, but I prefer candidates for higher office to have had experience governing at lower levels in state or federal government. There has always been an anti-establishment trend in our nation stretching back to Jackson (and perhaps before), but it frightens the heck out of me to think that some people seem willing to install a neophyte in office simple because they're convinced every politician is, what, a crook? Reality check: governing is hard and our constitutional system requires compromise in order to get anything done. Unless there is a clear sign of corruption, experience in DC doesn't make one bad, it just means you've actually tried.
2
Soo... Clinton signals that she is still the candidate of her base in Wall Street and that Warren and Sanders were just red herrings. If she loses to trump, you can find the seed here.
10
Hillary just picked Tim Kaine for VP. Kaine is a globalist and a supporter of trade deals that have destroyed American Jobs. He is also an advocate for Wall Street and Goldman Sacks. Bernie Sanders supporters have been betrayed. Vote for the Green Party Jill Stein.
6
No, no, no, no, no. Donolph Trumpler is the greatest threat to our nation since...........before we were a nation, and that includes the Civil War. He MUST be defeated. I'm sorry, you'll have to find another way. I supported Bernie too, but I support my country above all else.
3
Funny William because Bernie sanders himself is voting for Clinton /Kaine.
Wake up before Drumpf is the president, choak.
Wake up before Drumpf is the president, choak.
4
Excellent choice! I am highly enthusiastic about this ticket.
Choice of Kaine emphasizes the serious foreign policy chops of the Dem ticket.
No expertise there on the Repub side- just disaster waiting.
Choice of Kaine emphasizes the serious foreign policy chops of the Dem ticket.
No expertise there on the Repub side- just disaster waiting.
5
The moaning and complaining about Tim Kaine by our armchair liberals and Bernie Sanders malcontents is infuriating.
Did any of you watch the frightening RNC this week and learn anything?
Do you think for a moment there is not a solid base of support for Donald Trump and do you still think Donald Trump is still a joke?
Well guess what, Donald Trump and the nearly half of Americans who will vote for this megalomaniac is the type of joke you only see in a nightmare.
So grow up and stop your nonsense about the "perfect" candidate, because in the adult world nothing is ever perfect.
Did any of you watch the frightening RNC this week and learn anything?
Do you think for a moment there is not a solid base of support for Donald Trump and do you still think Donald Trump is still a joke?
Well guess what, Donald Trump and the nearly half of Americans who will vote for this megalomaniac is the type of joke you only see in a nightmare.
So grow up and stop your nonsense about the "perfect" candidate, because in the adult world nothing is ever perfect.
10
Quite a few of the comments remind me that many Americans want to be entertained in every aspect of their lives. Food, news, now the vice presidential choice.
I've read enough about how Kaine is boring. He's not being picked to be on American Idol. He is qualified, a solid candidate as is Hillary, the opposite of who is running on the other side. I was hoping for Kaine and am relieved.
I've read enough about how Kaine is boring. He's not being picked to be on American Idol. He is qualified, a solid candidate as is Hillary, the opposite of who is running on the other side. I was hoping for Kaine and am relieved.
10
YES. Thank you.
3
It's also alliterative. Clinton/Kaine. Sounds nice.
It's also apocryphal.
Kaine and Unable
Kaine and Unable
2
Well, I like the choice of Senator Kaine, maybe because I have a
soft spot for those educated by the Jesuits.
soft spot for those educated by the Jesuits.
5
Too many people on this thread have allowed themselves to be intimidated and discouraged by Trump's propaganda.
Why not see and hear what Clinton/Kaine and the Democrats offer next week in Philadelphia?
When President Obama was choosing a VP in 2008 he was very high on Tim Kaine and he still is.
We still have nothing to fear but fear itself, especially if you are one of those people who is afraid of Donald Trump. I believe that bullies eventually receive their comeuppances. Trump is that bully. Clinton and Kaine need to be the ones who confront him, so back them up instead of worrying, complaining, and giving up.
Why not see and hear what Clinton/Kaine and the Democrats offer next week in Philadelphia?
When President Obama was choosing a VP in 2008 he was very high on Tim Kaine and he still is.
We still have nothing to fear but fear itself, especially if you are one of those people who is afraid of Donald Trump. I believe that bullies eventually receive their comeuppances. Trump is that bully. Clinton and Kaine need to be the ones who confront him, so back them up instead of worrying, complaining, and giving up.
6
Boring.
2
Given the macho opponent in the Republican party, I am sure Mr. Kaine's running as a VP (second spot to a woman) shows maturity and wisdom. Many haters of Clinton do so because she has the guts to run for the office. She is a practical person and brought a lot of advances to backward parts of NY state as our senator. Break a leg Hillary
5
I've seen so many Bernie supporters speaking of picking Trump in ‘protest’ of Clinton's establishment positions. Now that she's picked an establishment running mate, I'm afraid she's lost a whole lot of people.
Time to prepare the bunker for when Trump wins.
Time to prepare the bunker for when Trump wins.
2
She can run with the Pope. We don't like her nor do we trust that what she says is truthful.
3
Whose we ????????
4
You were never going to vote for any democrat anyway, be honest.
4
Maybe some folks did not look at the GOP platform because if you have female friends or family, gay friends or family, have African American friends or family, or have immigrant friends or family, or muslim friends or family, you need to tell everyone why you would let your disappointment enable GOP right wing social policy that penalizes people for just being who they are via legislation and a right wing Supreme Court.
3
@Kay Johnson,
Oh, I get it now. Your word "enable" did it for me. For just a moment I'd forgotten that, here, no one's allowed to question or be less than thrilled with Hillary or her choice of prospective VP. Everyone's supposed to just do as they're told or they're traitors working for the GOP and anyone with the nerve to dislike that stance (except the hold your nose and vote crowd) will be held personally responsible for the end of the universe as we know it.
Thanks for reminding me.
7-23-16@7:47 am
Oh, I get it now. Your word "enable" did it for me. For just a moment I'd forgotten that, here, no one's allowed to question or be less than thrilled with Hillary or her choice of prospective VP. Everyone's supposed to just do as they're told or they're traitors working for the GOP and anyone with the nerve to dislike that stance (except the hold your nose and vote crowd) will be held personally responsible for the end of the universe as we know it.
Thanks for reminding me.
7-23-16@7:47 am
1
Warren was the only choice that made sense, is Hillary TRYING to loose? Paine is a much more powerful personality than Kaine, and this is going to be hardball. I don't have a good feeling about this.
3
It's necessary to try to win the SENATE as well as the presidency and if either Elizabeth Warren or Sherrod Brown gave up their seat for the VP slot, they would be replaced by a Republican appointed by the Republican governors of their respective state. Do you understand how that? Do you know that the governor of Ohio is conservative Republican John Kasich? He would appoint a Republican senator to replace Democratic senator Sherrod Brown. Are you aware that the governor of your own state of Massachusetts is a Republican? He would give you a Republican senator instead of Democratic Elizabeth Warren. In a Senate with a Democratic majority, Warren would be even more influential than she is now. Do you care about protecting the CFPB? Do you know what the CFPB is? That's the agency essentially invented by Elizabeth Warren. If Trump gets in, you can kiss it - and for sure its effectiveness - goodbye. I suggest you not only work hard for this Democratic ticket but that you work to make sure your own state gets a Democratic governor. All elections matter, whether for president, governor, state assembly or even district leader. Fortunately, you have Hillary and her team to do your strategizing for you. (P.S. The name of the Republican vice-presidential candidate is Pence, not Paine.)
3
I would LOVE to see either Kaine (or better yet, Sanders) deliver Cruz's infamous line, "Vote your conscience", and have the DNC audience spontaneously erupt in cheers (rather than shouted down and pilloried), since voting for Hillary could be done with a clear conscience.
That would clearly demonstrate the difference between the GOP and the Dems.
That would clearly demonstrate the difference between the GOP and the Dems.
1
@Daviod,
Truly "voting your conscience" in this country might require having quite a few more political parties than we have, as well as more respect for those who feel limited by what we've got now. It might also require more voting options in more places for Independents during the primary-caucus stage. I'm not holding my breath for either of those things.
7-23-16@7:54 am
Truly "voting your conscience" in this country might require having quite a few more political parties than we have, as well as more respect for those who feel limited by what we've got now. It might also require more voting options in more places for Independents during the primary-caucus stage. I'm not holding my breath for either of those things.
7-23-16@7:54 am
As a resident of New York State and a lifelong Democrat, I have the luxury of not having to vote for Hillary Clinton to keep Donald Trump from elected president. If Bill Clinton's blithe visit to the attorney general's plane didn't convince me that I just can't vote for that Clintonian ethic again, this typically Clintonian politically safe and focus-grouped choice has. I'll go to the polls to elect my local Democrat candidates but leave the president column blank. Sorry Secretary Clinton, I just can't do it, and I'm happy that in New York I don't HAVE to do it.
6
@CZitellii,
Sounds like a conversation I had with friends a day or two ago. Please confirm or clarify something. Are you saying that New York is one of those states that's solidly enough blue that voters will pick up the slack and vote for whomever the pres-vp choice is? You can ignore that part of the ballot?
7-23-16@8:00 am
Sounds like a conversation I had with friends a day or two ago. Please confirm or clarify something. Are you saying that New York is one of those states that's solidly enough blue that voters will pick up the slack and vote for whomever the pres-vp choice is? You can ignore that part of the ballot?
7-23-16@8:00 am
1
But is an absent vote for President Clinton a vote for Trump ?
The same question that I asked my dear friend, an 83 year old retired Teacher when she expressed the same sentiment.
The same question that I asked my dear friend, an 83 year old retired Teacher when she expressed the same sentiment.
2
As far as Sen. Kaine's Catholicism is concerned, Hawaii is often acknowledged as the first state to "legalize abortion" and it was allowed to be enacted under a Catholic governor who clearly understood and explicitly stated the distinction between personal conviction and respect for personal choice among all citizens. I consider myself a progressive realist, and I am not usually inclined to support "devout" religionists of any color, but Sen. Kaine seems to be a decent man of reason, intellect and devotion to public service. Thumbs up.
8
Extremists destroyed the Republican party.
Norovirus raging in the convention and Roger Ailes fired from Fox News were symbolic of the decayed corpse of the once Grand Old Party.
I hope conservatives find a better vessel to offer alternative prescriptions for the progress of the nation.
Secretary Clinton and Senator Kaine are a ray of hope in the very dark, fetid world of Trump/Putin/Jong-un.
Norovirus raging in the convention and Roger Ailes fired from Fox News were symbolic of the decayed corpse of the once Grand Old Party.
I hope conservatives find a better vessel to offer alternative prescriptions for the progress of the nation.
Secretary Clinton and Senator Kaine are a ray of hope in the very dark, fetid world of Trump/Putin/Jong-un.
4
I'm pleased for Warren!
@codger,
Pleased for her? Why? Is Hillary's choice of Kaine supposed to let Warren off the hook or something?
7-23-16@8:04 am
Pleased for her? Why? Is Hillary's choice of Kaine supposed to let Warren off the hook or something?
7-23-16@8:04 am
Race, gender, hatred, legacies of discrimination! We are about to hear it all this week at the Democrat National Convention. But at the end of all our identity politics is this: Four white people are running for president and vice president grasping for votes from blacks, and Hispanics, and others. What a hoax.
2
The Democrats may well be making a serious miscalculation.
There is a large part of the electorate that are economically challenged and anti-establishment, which explains the popularity of Sanders and Trump.
The Democrats decided to basically ignore them, double-down with a similar to Hillary type Tim Kaine and just depend upon their team players and hope to frighten enough other voters with screams of "Trumpzilla is coming!". Unfortunately, at the same time and just as loudly, the Republicans are screaming, "Crooked Hillary!", so in a mudslinging match eventually everyone gets covered with mud and voters just throw up their hands in disgust and won't show up on November 8th.
So Donald Trump represents the anti-establishment and a level of excitement while Hillary Clinton represents the status quo and is ho-hum. People will likely vote their pocketbooks, so don't expect the mainstream Democrats to bring out the numbers needed to win, but don't fret, there will be scapegoats aplenty. Still, it's early days and we can always hope for more of the unexpected.
There is a large part of the electorate that are economically challenged and anti-establishment, which explains the popularity of Sanders and Trump.
The Democrats decided to basically ignore them, double-down with a similar to Hillary type Tim Kaine and just depend upon their team players and hope to frighten enough other voters with screams of "Trumpzilla is coming!". Unfortunately, at the same time and just as loudly, the Republicans are screaming, "Crooked Hillary!", so in a mudslinging match eventually everyone gets covered with mud and voters just throw up their hands in disgust and won't show up on November 8th.
So Donald Trump represents the anti-establishment and a level of excitement while Hillary Clinton represents the status quo and is ho-hum. People will likely vote their pocketbooks, so don't expect the mainstream Democrats to bring out the numbers needed to win, but don't fret, there will be scapegoats aplenty. Still, it's early days and we can always hope for more of the unexpected.
1
@Brighteyed Explorer,
The days are still reasonably early, yes. Will be scapegoating? Some NYT readers have been scapegoating anyone who "ain't fur Hill 'n Bill" for ages now. Heck, someone even attacked my father ( a real rant) for what they thought were my dad's voting preferences (Sanders), which is funny in a sick sort of way: my father died at least a year before Sanders declared his candidacy, so my dad's obviously not voting for anyone. That's one of the reasons why I gave myself space from this paper for a while. (They don't screen comments very well.)
But I've begun pondering if scapegoating works a person accepts such judgement or allows themselves to be really upset about it. Though I got tired of it. Accepting judgement is something else. Even accepting someone's opinion requires at least a certain degree of respect and regard for that person's opinion. Scapegoating earns my contempt, not my respect.
7-23-16@8:30 am
The days are still reasonably early, yes. Will be scapegoating? Some NYT readers have been scapegoating anyone who "ain't fur Hill 'n Bill" for ages now. Heck, someone even attacked my father ( a real rant) for what they thought were my dad's voting preferences (Sanders), which is funny in a sick sort of way: my father died at least a year before Sanders declared his candidacy, so my dad's obviously not voting for anyone. That's one of the reasons why I gave myself space from this paper for a while. (They don't screen comments very well.)
But I've begun pondering if scapegoating works a person accepts such judgement or allows themselves to be really upset about it. Though I got tired of it. Accepting judgement is something else. Even accepting someone's opinion requires at least a certain degree of respect and regard for that person's opinion. Scapegoating earns my contempt, not my respect.
7-23-16@8:30 am
1
There is a lot to be said for having a decent, thoughtful, caring person as vice-president -- again.
10
This may or may not help her in November. It definitely undermines anything she might've said/done to get progressives' support throughout the primary.
I guess she was being honest during her recent Charlie Rose interview when she said that Bernie didn't move her to the left at all...
I guess she was being honest during her recent Charlie Rose interview when she said that Bernie didn't move her to the left at all...
5
@KAS,
Thanks for the (disheartening) info about the Charlie Rose interview. I'll look for it. One of the things I've been waiting to see is how far right she'd go and remain to win in Nov.
7-23-16@8:36 am
Thanks for the (disheartening) info about the Charlie Rose interview. I'll look for it. One of the things I've been waiting to see is how far right she'd go and remain to win in Nov.
7-23-16@8:36 am
Between Tim Kaine, champion for TPP, as the Clinton's VP pick, no surprise at all, and the article I just read in, The Hill, then again on MSN, although I had struggled to accept that I must vote for the Clintons, my struggle may be over.
I want to hear more about the Wiki-leaked DNC emails regarding attempts to derail Sander's presidential campaign, maybe include a serious investigation, as Wasserman Shultz and Clinton have walked hand in fist together for years, up to and through the Democrat primaries. Was this another of those, " that's how we do it in America," arrangements..
I want to hear more about the Wiki-leaked DNC emails regarding attempts to derail Sander's presidential campaign, maybe include a serious investigation, as Wasserman Shultz and Clinton have walked hand in fist together for years, up to and through the Democrat primaries. Was this another of those, " that's how we do it in America," arrangements..
2
Kaine and Unable - Upcoming GOP campaign slogan.
2
Let us just pray, if Hillary is elected, she doesn't use the "Presidential Appointment Efficiency-Streamlining Act" [2012] to appoint Bill to one of the 300+ positions no longer requiring Senate confirmation.
1
@Donna,
Presidential what Act? Sounds clunky, awkward and redundant. Do I want to know what that Act is or will it depress me?
7-23-16@8:39 am
Presidential what Act? Sounds clunky, awkward and redundant. Do I want to know what that Act is or will it depress me?
7-23-16@8:39 am
As a moderate Republican woman with strong concerns about Trump, I guess I'm the target demographic for this choice. I'm pretty settled on Clinton anyway, but it would have been tougher with a far left running mate. Kaine's openness to free trade, and being sympathetic to pro-life views is reassuring, as well as the fact that he's experienced and not too fanatical.
190
You can't pretend to be a conservative when you express those liberal values. You are playing mind games with yourself.
Lindsey *** you are exactly who this pick is trying to sure up .... he's also someone whom Hillary likes and he can work in the Senate. She wants to bring in all the middle people and even some who probably never voted Democratic. This helps insure the landslide that is coming.
Orange, NJ
Orange, NJ
3
@Lindsey,
Yes. You're probably right (apparently politically and literally). My guess is you're definitely her target. I'm certainly not. I guess she felt she had to choose and she chose you. Perhaps she feels she needs and wants moderate Republicans more than she needs genuinely progressive Democrats, regardless of their sex.
7-23-16@8:45 am
Yes. You're probably right (apparently politically and literally). My guess is you're definitely her target. I'm certainly not. I guess she felt she had to choose and she chose you. Perhaps she feels she needs and wants moderate Republicans more than she needs genuinely progressive Democrats, regardless of their sex.
7-23-16@8:45 am
Who is Kaine? What a lame pick. Should have gone with Bernie or Cory Booker. That would have driven turnout. Huge disappointment. This is a losing ticket.
The first debate will decide the issue
1
HRC again moves to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
4
As many of us warned Dems, if you want Trump as president be sure nominate Hillary (and Kaine) as "the best of two evils."
Yea, you warned 'em...although, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/upshot/presidential-polls-foreca... delightfully doesn't agree with that assessment.
1
Who will just the right choice? Say - George Clooney?
1
Good choice!
6
harmonica player?
that's it!!!
now I feel really confident in who'll be leader of the free world 2017 and beyond
that's it!!!
now I feel really confident in who'll be leader of the free world 2017 and beyond
1
@c,
Yeah, riiight. Who needs the late Ravi Shankar, Mozart, Prince or still living Phillip Glass when Hillary chose this dude? (No disrespect intended to those I've mentioned. Y'all know I adore you.)That's the key, isn't it? His musical abilities? Well, I guess some people really dig that. Didn't Bill play an instrument or something and some just fell in love with that? I feel so much better knowing Kaine's a one man orchestra. That definitely eases my mind....
7-23-16@9:26 am
Yeah, riiight. Who needs the late Ravi Shankar, Mozart, Prince or still living Phillip Glass when Hillary chose this dude? (No disrespect intended to those I've mentioned. Y'all know I adore you.)That's the key, isn't it? His musical abilities? Well, I guess some people really dig that. Didn't Bill play an instrument or something and some just fell in love with that? I feel so much better knowing Kaine's a one man orchestra. That definitely eases my mind....
7-23-16@9:26 am
I can breath again. People of honor and principle running for office.
7
Yes it's so great to have Hillary who wasn't indited but the FBI director said she lied. Is that the honor you are talking about?
2
Tim kaine took $160K worth of gifts from corporate interests including travel, clothing, and a $10K watch. The Clintons have made $200 Million as personal income in the form of honorariums for speeches since Bill left office. Donald Trump is a disaster of a human being, but don't kid yourself. These people are corrupt
2
If they let them, Pence - Kaine would actually be a good debate. No doubt, the "journalists" will to try to make it all about scandals.
2
Please "progressives," stop just saying that you oppose the TPP. If you know what you're talking about, say exactly what you're opposed to in the TPP. "Progressives" sound like the people who are "opposed" to the Affordable Care Act. But surely that doesn't mean that they willingly pay for insurance that they can never use because insurance companies declare them with "pre-existing conditions." What precisely do you oppose in the TPP?
7
Hasn't the media informed you? Read about the corporate tribunals that can effectively veto our laws, such as the ones protecting our food and water and worker rights.
2
Forcing middle class Americans to "compete" for jobs with downtrodden citizens of Third World countries who are paid $0.50 an hour and live in company barracks while the 1% look on in amusement and continue raking in the money.
3
Clinton's biggest mistake is she keeps lying about being passionate about issues and being a liberal. She is almost completely non-ideological, moderate, and focused on bringing people together - no matter what the result.
She stands a high chance of losing this election while faking that she is a candidate that she thinks everybody likes, even though she stands a higher chance of winning if she acted just like herself.
If she got on stages and said, "I don't care about any of these issues in the slightest, I care about bringing people together and executing whatever they decide on", Clinton win. Readinf between the lines, I think that is actually her credo.
Tim Kaine is just another Clintonian failure in the face of a deeply flawed opponent. It isn't that he isn't a good or respectable politician, it is that all of her choices reflect her insecurity, not her convictions.
An uber liberal would have been the correct choice precisely to show that she listens to all voices. That is what Trump did, take a really different guy and say "we have different ideas, but I am going to work with everybody in good faith."
She stands a high chance of losing this election while faking that she is a candidate that she thinks everybody likes, even though she stands a higher chance of winning if she acted just like herself.
If she got on stages and said, "I don't care about any of these issues in the slightest, I care about bringing people together and executing whatever they decide on", Clinton win. Readinf between the lines, I think that is actually her credo.
Tim Kaine is just another Clintonian failure in the face of a deeply flawed opponent. It isn't that he isn't a good or respectable politician, it is that all of her choices reflect her insecurity, not her convictions.
An uber liberal would have been the correct choice precisely to show that she listens to all voices. That is what Trump did, take a really different guy and say "we have different ideas, but I am going to work with everybody in good faith."
1
@jamil simaan,
No matter the result and whatever they decide on are problems. That could mean anything, including plenty of destructive things.
If working with everybody in good faith also means representing all citizens in good faith, then that's another huge failure for Trump. But, Trump is top of the list of people I'd never vote for anyway (except for Cruz).
7-23-16@8:57 am
No matter the result and whatever they decide on are problems. That could mean anything, including plenty of destructive things.
If working with everybody in good faith also means representing all citizens in good faith, then that's another huge failure for Trump. But, Trump is top of the list of people I'd never vote for anyway (except for Cruz).
7-23-16@8:57 am
Wow, catholic, Spanish speaking, local and National experience notwithstanding being a white dude looks good as the dream team of normality. No Prozac, testosterone or lithium anywhere in the mix notwithstanding being able to make nice to foreign diplomats without instruction or apology. Easy peasy.
8
I was so hoping that she would not pick Kaine. I think she really did need excitement, someone to energize the base, someone to add sparkle to her dull campaign, which is so apparatchik. I was hoping and praying she wouldn't choose Kaine as it does show her true colors -- the TPP, the pro-banking -- that she just does not get that the country has moved on since Bill was president.
And I saw this as a kind of Blue Dog Democrat move -- courting the southern vote. I later heard that he favored him, which worried me as when she said that she would let him run the economy (she won't do that because she can't?).
I have since learned that he has a sparkle in the eye, is a nice guy, and she thinks she can work with him, that it was important to have a partner.
But really -- this is not what the Sanders voters wanted.
Even my husband, who is an African American who refused to think about Bernie, who thought Bernie naive, who was a massive apologist and defender and promoter of Hillary sat silent, sullen, slumped, depressed looking when he heard the news. He wanted Brown of Ohio. I wanted Booker or Warren for the base, for energy. And there are Republican govs in Warren, Brown, and Booker's states.
So, we had 8 years of Republican light and Wall Street pandering from BC, the BO, now HC. I too was hoping we could influence her, but no -- the progressives are to be used and abused. We must have more Republican light. And gratefully accept that.
If she loses, it's on you, NYT.
And I saw this as a kind of Blue Dog Democrat move -- courting the southern vote. I later heard that he favored him, which worried me as when she said that she would let him run the economy (she won't do that because she can't?).
I have since learned that he has a sparkle in the eye, is a nice guy, and she thinks she can work with him, that it was important to have a partner.
But really -- this is not what the Sanders voters wanted.
Even my husband, who is an African American who refused to think about Bernie, who thought Bernie naive, who was a massive apologist and defender and promoter of Hillary sat silent, sullen, slumped, depressed looking when he heard the news. He wanted Brown of Ohio. I wanted Booker or Warren for the base, for energy. And there are Republican govs in Warren, Brown, and Booker's states.
So, we had 8 years of Republican light and Wall Street pandering from BC, the BO, now HC. I too was hoping we could influence her, but no -- the progressives are to be used and abused. We must have more Republican light. And gratefully accept that.
If she loses, it's on you, NYT.
4
If Clinton loses this election it's not on the NYT, it's on all the "progressive" voters you mentioned like yourself who chose not to vote for her and thus assisted in the election of Drumpf (God forbid).
This progressive had always supported Clinton this election and didn't care for Sanders and half of his platform.
This progressive had always supported Clinton this election and didn't care for Sanders and half of his platform.
2
I guess that means that she (or Bill) decided that they do not need the Sanders' supporters, since one reason we support the Sanders' nomination has been his strong stance against TPP whereas Kaine seems to believe that TPP is the best thing since white bread. Cool, especially since Bill just said his wife doesn't need our votes, and HRC just told us to vote our conscience. Don't blame us when Trump wins in November.
3
Oh get over yourself. I'm a progressive Democrat and I never supported Sanders. I liked some of his ideas but not all. He's endorsed Clinton and he raised many important ideas, values and issues in the primary season. I thank him for that. The VP selection is one of many selections Clinton will be making for high government positions if she's elected so I'm sure Sanders will fit in somewhere. After all Obama made space for her after a tough primary season.
As Democrats we need to unite and support the candidate for president. If it's not the candidate that gets you excited, please consider the other choice (Drumpf) and how much damage he will inflict on the presidency, domestic policy and foreign policy. That's why Sanders has endorsed Clinton.
I didn't vote for Sanders in the primary but I would've voted for him in the general against Drumpf. I'd vote for anyone other than Drumpf. I'd pick a person on the street over him and know that that's person would be the better presidential choice. So please Sanders supporters, consider voting for Clinton. Drumpf scares me.
As Democrats we need to unite and support the candidate for president. If it's not the candidate that gets you excited, please consider the other choice (Drumpf) and how much damage he will inflict on the presidency, domestic policy and foreign policy. That's why Sanders has endorsed Clinton.
I didn't vote for Sanders in the primary but I would've voted for him in the general against Drumpf. I'd vote for anyone other than Drumpf. I'd pick a person on the street over him and know that that's person would be the better presidential choice. So please Sanders supporters, consider voting for Clinton. Drumpf scares me.
2
If you don't vote, or vote for a 3rd party candidate, and Clinton loses because of it, we WILL blame you. And if your "Bernie" loyalty blinds you to what's at stake here, then you really have a problem, and heaven help us all.
2
Good pick. The Time video asks if he can be the traditional VP attack dog. Maybe the race doesn't need that this year; maybe he can just be the tolerant, thoughtful, fair-minded gentleman that he is, and voters will recognize his qualities. If not, perhaps they deserve Trump/Pence.
4
Given the expected support here of Jill Stein, I'd like to ask, what is Jill Stein's plan for executing her ideas?
She states her vision on her website but, unlike Clinton, she doesn't say how she would get there.
Also, compared to Clinton, what makes Jill Stein qualified to be the leader of the free world? How is she skilled to deal with Putin, Kim Jong Un, etc.? What experience does she have that she could manage defeating ISIS? What would be her course of action if we experienced another 9/11?
Her website says she would break up big banks. How would she do that with a Republican-controlled Congress?
Fair questions to those who say they will bypass Clinton for Stein.
She states her vision on her website but, unlike Clinton, she doesn't say how she would get there.
Also, compared to Clinton, what makes Jill Stein qualified to be the leader of the free world? How is she skilled to deal with Putin, Kim Jong Un, etc.? What experience does she have that she could manage defeating ISIS? What would be her course of action if we experienced another 9/11?
Her website says she would break up big banks. How would she do that with a Republican-controlled Congress?
Fair questions to those who say they will bypass Clinton for Stein.
7
First, congratulations, Sen Kaine, for being selected as the VP running mate of Mrs. Clinton.
The thinking of a VP-selected should be an "attack dog" is no longer necessary. VP Biden was not an attack dog but brought with him additional depth for President Obama when the latter was running for the presidency back in 2008. Besides, the Democrats have Sen Elizabeth Warren, Trump's nemesis, this time.
The thinking of a VP-selected should be an "attack dog" is no longer necessary. VP Biden was not an attack dog but brought with him additional depth for President Obama when the latter was running for the presidency back in 2008. Besides, the Democrats have Sen Elizabeth Warren, Trump's nemesis, this time.
5
Picking a former governor was wise. Senators don't have the best record of getting elected to the presidency (Obama being a notable exception) -- people are reasonably suspicious that Senators lack executive experience. Hillary does have varied experience beyond the Senate, but still -- good to have a governor on the ticket.
5
Some folks who do not like the ticket should vote their choice - in reality they would have wasted their votes - Trump is the only real competition here.
In addition to the positives mentioned by others, she chose someone she is mostly in agreement with (see other article on how their positions compare) with whom she can work productively. In other word, not only for electoral or image reasons but with an eye toward creating a functional administration. Imagine Trump and Pence trying to actually work together.
4
After viewing the dishonest, un-American, fascistic performance of Trump and company at the GOP convention, anyone who doubts that the Clinton-Kaine ticket is the way to go needs to have their head examined. To the Bernie holdouts, consider this: Your revolution will be immediately crushed with a jackboot under a Trump administration. Anyone who opposes Trump will lose their voice and never get it back. You call Hillary militaristic? With Trump we won't have a friend left in the world. He loves dictators just like himself and will get us in a war in no time flat. That's not voting out of fear. That's just common sense and survival.
11
Clinton-Kaine is hardly an alternative to Trump-Pence. Both parties and their candidates resonate on the synthesis of militarism and hegemony, and differ marginally on social-welfare legislation and programs. America thereby confirms its Rightist orientation to public policy, starting with outsize military budgets and a push to deregulation and privatization.
I pity Wall Street, having to choose between two peas in a pod both eager to serve its interests. Indeed, Clinton is merely Trump in all but party label.
The seeming difference between nationalism (Trump) and internationalism (Clinton) is spurious; both sides are interventionist and confrontational. I suspect the further growth in global tensions, whichever candidate wins.
America has been bereft of leadership for much of the time since FDR, a bipartisan demiurge of mediocrity and belligerence. The future hardly looks favorable to rule of law and human rights, targeted assassination the current symbolization--and who know what other moral abomination lies down the pike?
I pity Wall Street, having to choose between two peas in a pod both eager to serve its interests. Indeed, Clinton is merely Trump in all but party label.
The seeming difference between nationalism (Trump) and internationalism (Clinton) is spurious; both sides are interventionist and confrontational. I suspect the further growth in global tensions, whichever candidate wins.
America has been bereft of leadership for much of the time since FDR, a bipartisan demiurge of mediocrity and belligerence. The future hardly looks favorable to rule of law and human rights, targeted assassination the current symbolization--and who know what other moral abomination lies down the pike?
5
@norman pollack
east lansing m
Another message from Moscow.
east lansing m
Another message from Moscow.
3
Yeah, but Trump wants to make "America Great Again." HilLIARy just wants to line her pockets.
2
Well, Kaine is more than "likeable enough"
He is simply adorable
Yes- he is bright, articulate, cunning, experienced, knowledgeable, and most importantly very comfortable in the spotlight. The swing state thing is just icing on the cake.
But she needed the "likability factor" and with his happy to meet you at the weekend BBQ demeanor and a twinkle in his eye - he's got it.
I'm not one to think Hillary is unlikable - I actually like her a lot and I think the unlikable thing is being oversold and beaten to death
But it does not hurt that Kaine comes across like Joe, the guy at the corner hardware store who has got your back in a jam, or Mac the bartender who is all ears when you need him most.
He is experienced at appearances on Sunday morning political shows as well.
Just put a bow on the guy - he is a gift.
He is simply adorable
Yes- he is bright, articulate, cunning, experienced, knowledgeable, and most importantly very comfortable in the spotlight. The swing state thing is just icing on the cake.
But she needed the "likability factor" and with his happy to meet you at the weekend BBQ demeanor and a twinkle in his eye - he's got it.
I'm not one to think Hillary is unlikable - I actually like her a lot and I think the unlikable thing is being oversold and beaten to death
But it does not hurt that Kaine comes across like Joe, the guy at the corner hardware store who has got your back in a jam, or Mac the bartender who is all ears when you need him most.
He is experienced at appearances on Sunday morning political shows as well.
Just put a bow on the guy - he is a gift.
161
Haha what a boring duel. More white privalage democracy's pulling the strings. How about some excitement.
He's a gift alright. That's what the Clintons are all about- taking gifts. Will the millions they made by influence peddling be enough to buy favorable media coverage? We'll find out.
2
Peg, thank you for saying it so well, and it has been noted by this American that Governor Kaine's spouse is the Secretary of Education in Virginia.
2
He won't overshadow her. That is perhaps his best qualification.
22
Peg: You have submitted a great comment, very uplifting. It is so much better than all the negativity one is subjected to during this election process. Thank you
1
Could we ask for a more boring choice - when we needed a galvanizing choice. Haven't the Eenocrats learned that "safe choices" are not gonna win this election. Donald Trump has been anything but safe - and has gobbled up all the media. God help us all!
37
Yes Joe, the country might actually have a chance to dodge the exploding bullet that is Hillary. I'm no Trump fan, but at least he won't destroy this country to enrich himself as Hillary will. She certainly drank deep of this country's lifeblood as SoS.
I can only imagine, with great horror, what will come with her presidency.
I can only imagine, with great horror, what will come with her presidency.
Sorry, what is an "eenocrat"? I guess I'm not 'up to speed' on that term. Please clarify.
&, Thank you!!, if you choose to clarify for me & others.
&, Thank you!!, if you choose to clarify for me & others.
You clearly aren't familiar with Tim Kaine. He is everything that is right with the Democratic Party. Please familiarize yourself with the man before passing judgment. Maybe someone who acts in a professionally mature and serious manner is exactly what we need - to remind us of what a real politician - one who aspires to be a true public servant - looks like.
2
Her first presidential-like decision shows deft political skill.
Kaine is the white President Obama: steady, knowledgeable, confident, experienced, calm.
Meanwhile, he's the perfect olive branch for getting right-leaning independents and so-called Conserva-Dems dissatisfied with Trump to cast a vote for Clinton.
We liberals can't claim we have a yuge, diversified tent and then not try to populate it with people with whom we can find common ground on at least some issues. For each other, we're just the chorus. Talk about boring.
Kaine could represent the bridge that brings fiscally-conservative (with which I disagree) but socially conscious independents into our tent and work together for the good of everyone. Plenty of people who are religious aren't zealots. Plenty of small business owners are social entrepreneurs. Many people who don't believe in abortion limit their protest to themselves; they would not deny that option to others. And so on. We're so ready to write off people at first glance we do so at our own peril.
It's time we frame our policies beyond black and white, men and women, Christians and atheists, young and elderly. Bernie has the right message but Clinton has a better, more comprehensive plan to get us there. I don't like that Tim Kaine wants to further de-regulate banks, but Clinton wants to raise taxes on the wealthy and close tax loopholes for corporations. We can get to the banks through other means.
Good call, Secretary Clinton.
Kaine is the white President Obama: steady, knowledgeable, confident, experienced, calm.
Meanwhile, he's the perfect olive branch for getting right-leaning independents and so-called Conserva-Dems dissatisfied with Trump to cast a vote for Clinton.
We liberals can't claim we have a yuge, diversified tent and then not try to populate it with people with whom we can find common ground on at least some issues. For each other, we're just the chorus. Talk about boring.
Kaine could represent the bridge that brings fiscally-conservative (with which I disagree) but socially conscious independents into our tent and work together for the good of everyone. Plenty of people who are religious aren't zealots. Plenty of small business owners are social entrepreneurs. Many people who don't believe in abortion limit their protest to themselves; they would not deny that option to others. And so on. We're so ready to write off people at first glance we do so at our own peril.
It's time we frame our policies beyond black and white, men and women, Christians and atheists, young and elderly. Bernie has the right message but Clinton has a better, more comprehensive plan to get us there. I don't like that Tim Kaine wants to further de-regulate banks, but Clinton wants to raise taxes on the wealthy and close tax loopholes for corporations. We can get to the banks through other means.
Good call, Secretary Clinton.
494
Wrong. I'm fiscally conservative socially independent and voting Trump. I believe the Dems just lost the millenials which put O over the top. This choice is good for Trump.
we will see!. in my opinion she will lose, demoncrats had the best answer to trump, yet they (super delegates) went with the $$$$$$ answer, in my opinion being oppressed from either party will be the same if you want change. ask snowden!
2
With an intelligent mate as husband and an even keeled and intelligent vp candidate, I hope Mrs. Clinton will win with YUGE margins !
FWIW - it looks to me as if both sides are planning to win by cementing their respective bases in place. So the election, like very many, will be decided by the swing voters, who are going to decide based on their gut feelings.
And I think that just about everybody's gut that doesn't go with the minority of the population who are committed to Clinton - basically women who are finally going to break into the "boys' club" - far from a majority of women, IMO, and a comparatively few others - is going to be more attracted to Trump's far more likable personality, and, BTW, interesting positions on maintaining Social Security, Medicare, opportunity for American workers, and working on the systemic outrageous wealth disparity in the country, than to Hillary's not "likable enough" personality and murky and inconsistent positions on just about every relevant issue.
Trump can be scary. Clinton can be scary in a very different way. America needs to be very very lucky.
And I think that just about everybody's gut that doesn't go with the minority of the population who are committed to Clinton - basically women who are finally going to break into the "boys' club" - far from a majority of women, IMO, and a comparatively few others - is going to be more attracted to Trump's far more likable personality, and, BTW, interesting positions on maintaining Social Security, Medicare, opportunity for American workers, and working on the systemic outrageous wealth disparity in the country, than to Hillary's not "likable enough" personality and murky and inconsistent positions on just about every relevant issue.
Trump can be scary. Clinton can be scary in a very different way. America needs to be very very lucky.
15
"is going to be more attracted to Trump's far more likable personality."
Was that a joke?
Was that a joke?
2
Just how is the narcissistic demagogue, Donald J. Trump, in any way "likable?"
3
Thanks for the morning chuckle. Trump's "likable personality!?" Hysterical.
3
So on the same day that Hillary picks a corporate Democrat for VP, we learn that the DNC was conspiring against Bernie, which included spreading the word in some southern states that he was an atheist.
Bernie will not pull a Ted Cruz at the convention. But perhaps he should consider doing what Jeb Bush and John Kasich did - staying home and not endorsing.
Bernie will not pull a Ted Cruz at the convention. But perhaps he should consider doing what Jeb Bush and John Kasich did - staying home and not endorsing.
47
Oh, you mean a strategy session. Like it isn't there in every candidate's inbox.
1
I get your frustration. I also think the whole thing is a joke but do you really want to stay home and let TRUMP (!!!) appoint a number of justices to the SCOTUS? Bc that is what will happen if he wins. Like the principled Nader voters in FL who (along w the right wing hacks on the scotus) gave us Alito and Roberts. Thanks but no thanks
2
Bernie is an atheist. The DNC didn't have to tell anybody that.
2
I don't find Tim Kaine boring, A solid guy in this year of crazy. I call that welcome and refreshing.
88
Ditto!
2
Excellent choice for those of us who don't claim to be "progressive" by cherry-picking items in a resume. His record:
"Mr. Kaine worked on fair housing and civil right issues as a lawyer."
"In 2013, Mr. Kaine implored the United States Senate to find a “small measure of courage” to fight the gun lobby and impose tougher background checks on gun ownership."
"Mr. Kaine worked on fair housing and civil right issues as a lawyer."
"In 2013, Mr. Kaine implored the United States Senate to find a “small measure of courage” to fight the gun lobby and impose tougher background checks on gun ownership."
56
After last night's fire/brimstone asking us to rely on Trump as our personal savior, anything sounds good.
But what worries me is Hillary, not Kaine. She'll be moving even further to the right than she already is, for the general.
And with most of the military security establishment behind her including neocons we can look forward to yuge escalations in ME and reheating the cold war tout suite on her taking office. In name of security.
This is where Trump is going to siphon Dem votes.
It's a huge issue, and this year Trump has D positions and HRC has R ones. The 2 parties need to be expanded, our choices are abysmal.
But what worries me is Hillary, not Kaine. She'll be moving even further to the right than she already is, for the general.
And with most of the military security establishment behind her including neocons we can look forward to yuge escalations in ME and reheating the cold war tout suite on her taking office. In name of security.
This is where Trump is going to siphon Dem votes.
It's a huge issue, and this year Trump has D positions and HRC has R ones. The 2 parties need to be expanded, our choices are abysmal.
30
Then vote for Gary Johnson. He is least evil of all the candidates running this year.
2
This is completely irrational. Take the Libyan intervention, at the time, the most cost effective American intervention, a paltry $2 billion. Libya is still here today, they're working out their political differences, and Isis are being defeated. More importantly, the oil infrastructure is mostly intact. Contrast to the ongoing costs of Iraq, it's a whole other world of hurt.
1
I do not care who the Democratic nominee is, nor her running mate. I do not like her but I would walk 100 miles on broken glass to vote for almost anyone on the ballot that has the best chance of defeating Trump. I hope and expect that millions feel the same way as I do and will vote to keep that deranged Donald ignoramous from winning. We are beyond whining about Hillary's deficiencies and the fact she will not bring about real change. That is sad, indeed, but at this point it is the survival of the world that hangs on this vote. I am terrified, not of terrorists but of this blathering madman.
108
You have allowed yourself to be stampeded into voting for someone you do not like through a campaign of fear. That's more than sad.
As you live in California, a State that Trump would never win, why don't you follow Ted Cruz's advice, by voting third party. You will feel better when Clinton gets us involved in the next war.
As you live in California, a State that Trump would never win, why don't you follow Ted Cruz's advice, by voting third party. You will feel better when Clinton gets us involved in the next war.
15
Then vote for Sanders. His polling numbers against Trump are at least 15 points higher than the selected queen! So stop voting a scared to death ticket and vote for the only honest candidate in the race!
Maybe, RM, he made his choice to vote the way he wants, and doesn't need your judgement of his comment.
Kaine held local, state, national elected posts, DNC Chair, strong social justice piece, Senate Foreign Relations Committee...ticks all the boxes. Legislative, Executive experience. Making budgets. Lived his life by foreign service, kids were in integrated schools.
The big Plus +++, with this much experience, we can keep Bill from "wandering over the tarmac". It would be great to have Michelle pass the keys from her office and he do the house husband/first gentleman soft issues. It would be good to see this gender bending. That is the big up side. I think Kaine is well experienced to be Hillary's sounding board and leave Bill to his East Wing Office. I want to see him doing the Easter Egg rolls and weeding the White House garden. Then we will have achieved something!
The big Plus +++, with this much experience, we can keep Bill from "wandering over the tarmac". It would be great to have Michelle pass the keys from her office and he do the house husband/first gentleman soft issues. It would be good to see this gender bending. That is the big up side. I think Kaine is well experienced to be Hillary's sounding board and leave Bill to his East Wing Office. I want to see him doing the Easter Egg rolls and weeding the White House garden. Then we will have achieved something!
31
Dream on. Kaine will be neutered so the "Big Dawg" can prowl...
Yes, we can see what an honorable position DNC chair is. Do you have to know how to rig ethe primaries before you get that job or do they teach you in the job?
Better yet- Send Bill back to a little secluded spot in Hope Arkansas.
This strategic selection could work. Clinton's team ran the demographic numbers & see Hispanic vote as critical. Going to be an interesting ending. Question is will Hispanics buy into the gringo who speaks their language or see him as disconnected from their cultures, issues, & neighborhoods? Trump is gaining ground among Hispanics so their votes are not entirely up for grabs. This strategic selection could backfire.
Either way America will trudge on with many of its long standing economic, social, and political issues deeply entrenched until the day comes & people pull together instead of dividing further & further from each other. Peace & Hope
Either way America will trudge on with many of its long standing economic, social, and political issues deeply entrenched until the day comes & people pull together instead of dividing further & further from each other. Peace & Hope
10
"Question is will Hispanics buy into the gringo who speaks their language or see him as disconnected from their cultures, issues, & neighborhoods? Trump is gaining ground among Hispanics so their votes are not entirely up for grabs. This strategic selection could backfire. "
This Hispanic Bernie Bro is definitely NOT impressed by the gringo. This selection WILL backfire.
Hillary Clinton, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!
Get ready to say President Donald Trump, believe me it will not sound so strange once you say it a few thousand times.
Looking forward to moving to Spain, at this point it doesn't matter who wins. It is really sad when the racist Republican is MORE progressive than the corrupt war-mongering Democrat.
Albert Einstein was rarely wrong but in this case it appears that God IS playing dice with the universe...
This Hispanic Bernie Bro is definitely NOT impressed by the gringo. This selection WILL backfire.
Hillary Clinton, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!
Get ready to say President Donald Trump, believe me it will not sound so strange once you say it a few thousand times.
Looking forward to moving to Spain, at this point it doesn't matter who wins. It is really sad when the racist Republican is MORE progressive than the corrupt war-mongering Democrat.
Albert Einstein was rarely wrong but in this case it appears that God IS playing dice with the universe...
1
Fair Housing Is a very important Hispanic issue - as well as for everyone else,
especially our young people.
especially our young people.
1
Trump is gaining ground among Hispanics? On what planet? New Mexico is a majority minority (Hispanic) state, officially bilingual by state constitution, Hispanic governor, Hispanic mayors (eg the mayor of Santa Fe), Hispanic political officials everywhere. He is enormously and intensely unpopular here.
1
Despite too often failing to get Tim Kaine to move in a direction I would like, such as adopting single-payer health care, I have the highest regard for him. He is through and through a decent person, an honorable person, a compassionate and intelligent person.
I usually vote third party for President and have already donated money to Jill Stein. I know we're decades or centuries from electing a progressive third party, but I like moving in that direction anyway. However, I had held back from full support this year because I thought maybe Tim would be on the ticket. It is impossible not to feel comfortable in Tim's presence; this was a wise choice.
I usually vote third party for President and have already donated money to Jill Stein. I know we're decades or centuries from electing a progressive third party, but I like moving in that direction anyway. However, I had held back from full support this year because I thought maybe Tim would be on the ticket. It is impossible not to feel comfortable in Tim's presence; this was a wise choice.
53
The most socialist-thinking small state in he country, Vermont, would seem to be the perfect place to experiment with single payer.
However, the state gov't worked for 2 years and could not design a system that would not have doctors leaving for lack of payment or businesses leaving because there would be no sense in the economics of staying with such a huge tax increase. No profit = no jobs.
If a single-payer plan is ever forced on the U.S. economy - probably by an Alinsky disciple - it would create a gigantic wave of change and an immediate fall in our standard of living. You wouldn't have the cash to even raise a child, if Europe is any example.
However, the state gov't worked for 2 years and could not design a system that would not have doctors leaving for lack of payment or businesses leaving because there would be no sense in the economics of staying with such a huge tax increase. No profit = no jobs.
If a single-payer plan is ever forced on the U.S. economy - probably by an Alinsky disciple - it would create a gigantic wave of change and an immediate fall in our standard of living. You wouldn't have the cash to even raise a child, if Europe is any example.
@sherry. So you're voting for him -- and her. Right? Please?
And they all breathed a great sigh of relief.
1
OK, some might consider Mr. Kaine "boring"... a moderate Democrat ... not a firebrand. So, what's wrong with that? Stability and steadfastness, as well as a morally principled person is the key to her choice. The Republicans offer as their candidate a braggart, blowhard, and an egomaniac who can hardly be tempered by anyone, let alone his VP choice Mr. Pence, who must have palpitations every time Mr. Trump speaks since most of what he says is so against what Mr. Pence claims to believe (witness the diatribe the Donald had today, less than a day after his so-called presidential like appearance at the RNC convention ... Mr. Pence endorsed Mr. Cruz ... must have been an uncomfortable moment, to say the least, for Mr Pence, as well as the rest of the RNC!). What more is there to be said? Best choice, I believe.
33
If/ when the Veep candidates have a debate,
This B&B Boring and Boring, will sell out as sleep medicine
I think I will watch reruns of Dan Quayle being schooled (lectured) by Lloyd Bentsen
or maybe Dick Cheney and whoever (Mondale?)
Nixon 1952, behind Ike
Harry Truman 1944, and FDR
Lyndon Johnson 1960 and JFK
Teddy Roosevelt and William McKinley
Andrew Johnson and Abraham Lincoln
Bush the Elder and Saint Ronald
Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge
=
NINE elected presidents did not finish their terms and were succeeded by Veeps.... > 25% ....
and add a few Veeps who got elected on their own after their "Apprentice" period ended... VP ==> POTUS, high odds
Speaking of "Apprentice" Donald once again beats the news with his years of apprentice training, Donald sees the future
Example, the young Ms Trump, showcase speech, presidential introductions are often harbingers
The young Ms Trump made quite a debut speech; we can expect her to go on far and fast and fine and foxy ('Fox news' no relation) her own, no political wifey thing, unlike Ms Clinton
(some dress merchandising thrown in, working woman's dress prices)
- -
Too bad Senator Warren was not on the list, so that she and Mr Trump could debate 'you didn't build that'
On second thought that is probably WHY the Senator from the Great State of high cheekbones, is off the bus
"you didn't build that"
God's gift to Donald
This B&B Boring and Boring, will sell out as sleep medicine
I think I will watch reruns of Dan Quayle being schooled (lectured) by Lloyd Bentsen
or maybe Dick Cheney and whoever (Mondale?)
Nixon 1952, behind Ike
Harry Truman 1944, and FDR
Lyndon Johnson 1960 and JFK
Teddy Roosevelt and William McKinley
Andrew Johnson and Abraham Lincoln
Bush the Elder and Saint Ronald
Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge
=
NINE elected presidents did not finish their terms and were succeeded by Veeps.... > 25% ....
and add a few Veeps who got elected on their own after their "Apprentice" period ended... VP ==> POTUS, high odds
Speaking of "Apprentice" Donald once again beats the news with his years of apprentice training, Donald sees the future
Example, the young Ms Trump, showcase speech, presidential introductions are often harbingers
The young Ms Trump made quite a debut speech; we can expect her to go on far and fast and fine and foxy ('Fox news' no relation) her own, no political wifey thing, unlike Ms Clinton
(some dress merchandising thrown in, working woman's dress prices)
- -
Too bad Senator Warren was not on the list, so that she and Mr Trump could debate 'you didn't build that'
On second thought that is probably WHY the Senator from the Great State of high cheekbones, is off the bus
"you didn't build that"
God's gift to Donald
Stability translates into more of the same and that is NOT what the country wants. They wanted Bernie and Trump. (Now PLEASE don't tell me that the queen got more votes than Bernie. Bernie was considered a fly in the ointment for many months before he was considered a viable alternative to the queen. And by then it was too late. The queen was forced on us.) Stability? Think not.
I am with her - Jill stein, unless MA becomes a battleground and then I will vote Hillary Clinton. I like Mrs. Clinton but do think like most in the country that things need to change. I wish she went with her convictions more often.
14
How will voting for Jill Stein change things?
59
It will teach the Democrats that next time they can't just choose some dynastic, dishonest hack if they want to win.
2
"How will voting for Jill Stein change things? "
How will voting for Hillary Clinton change things?
Eight more years of gridlock == zero change. Too bad you and your ilk don't see that.
No change is the worst thing you can do when the electorate WANTS change.
President Trump. Gonna keep saying it so it won't sound so weird in November.
Oh well, as an ex-Democrat I won't be the one wailing and gnashing my teeth when "The Donald" wins the election.
All the Democrats had to do was choose Bernie Sanders. Thanks Debbie Wasserman Schultz!
Too bad the Democrats did not choose a better DNC chair BEFORE they handed the White House to the GOP.
How will voting for Hillary Clinton change things?
Eight more years of gridlock == zero change. Too bad you and your ilk don't see that.
No change is the worst thing you can do when the electorate WANTS change.
President Trump. Gonna keep saying it so it won't sound so weird in November.
Oh well, as an ex-Democrat I won't be the one wailing and gnashing my teeth when "The Donald" wins the election.
All the Democrats had to do was choose Bernie Sanders. Thanks Debbie Wasserman Schultz!
Too bad the Democrats did not choose a better DNC chair BEFORE they handed the White House to the GOP.
3
Tim Kaine seems to exude human decency, combined with a progressive stance on politics. He would be fit to assume the Presidency in the event of an emergency. He is trustworthy, worldly and experienced. He speaks a second language fluently.
He puts his country above his own need for spotlight coverage. He favors civil liberties for all Americans whether or not such a commitment conflicts with his personal opinion. He projects light in the face of oppositional darkness. He is a good man.
No VP pick will please everyone. On balance, he is an excellent choice that will inject calm reason and reassurance to a lunatic political season. Congratulations to him, and to Hillary Clinton for choosing him.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
He puts his country above his own need for spotlight coverage. He favors civil liberties for all Americans whether or not such a commitment conflicts with his personal opinion. He projects light in the face of oppositional darkness. He is a good man.
No VP pick will please everyone. On balance, he is an excellent choice that will inject calm reason and reassurance to a lunatic political season. Congratulations to him, and to Hillary Clinton for choosing him.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
85
Agree with you. Kaine should be the Presidential nominee!!!
1
I can promise you that there will be a complete embargo on honesty and decent from any version of a Hillary Clinton administration.
OK, let's keep Clinton/Kaine and the DNC on the front page this week. Enough of Trump.
76
Oh, you'll see the DNC on the front page this week, the committee not the convention. Shameful. Poor Bernie. The rightful victor, but he never had a chance. What a stupid, wasteful, protracted, rigged system we have. American exceptionalism indeed.
1
An excellent choice. The Democrats are clearly thinking about 2016 and beyond. The Republicans seem to be hoping for a time machine to 1956 when their aging constituents ran the world. This election is the future vs the past.
63
I strongly doubt Mr. Kaine will boost her chances. The expected disappointment from the more progressive branch of the party (on their way out to the Greens, perhaps). This is just the tip of the iceberg of where her progressive promises to speak to that huge constituency in the Democratic party will go. Really NO CHANGE. I'm switching to the Greens if I vote. I may just stay home that day. Not even the "Trump scare" will make me vote Democrat this time around. I'm sick of broken promises of change. wow. This is close to hitting bottom.
33
Nader voters thought their votes didn't matter either. We ended up with 2 wars, the Great Recession, and a backwards Supreme Court. Throwing away your vote doesn't benefit anyone.
We haven't hit bottom yet, but if all the folks who can't compromise stay home or waste their votes being pure with Nader redux, we'll all get plenty of change. Because if Trump wins, we will have a sociopath (his ghostwriter Tony Schwartz's assessment) who wants to be Putin (see today's Krugman column) locking up millions of people and taking away all of our civil rights.
@tdb. Just don't move to a battleground state before Election Day, please.
big mistake Hil
Booker would have been a much better choice - young, black, progressive.
Kaine? - 'oldish' white male ... bad choice.
Booker would have been a much better choice - young, black, progressive.
Kaine? - 'oldish' white male ... bad choice.
18
She surely had many binders full of women she could gave chosen
I like Cory Booker, but he's a sitting Senator from a state with a GOP governor.
1
Obviously, picking leaders by race is very important to progressives. Being inherently racist.
1
With this pick, the signal is clear that Hillary does not care about the progressive and/or youth vote. NOthing more than a slightly watered-down version of herself. I can not vote for this ticket, nor for the other major party. Time to find a third way.
41
Move to Florida and vote for Nader. See how that works out.
1
Go for the Greens !
2
As a progressive young adult Democratic voter I approve of this VP choice. I admit that I would've loved to have Cory Booker or Julian Castro selected but I hope to vote for them in the future for a national office position.
1
I highly respect Hillary Clinton's experience, knowing that after carefully weighing all the options, she has made a great choice. I trust Hillary Clinton's and Tim Kaine's judgement, and am very excited about the bright economic, racially inclusive, future they represent. They are the optimistic, well-considered path forward for America.
56
What are Hillary's top three accomplishments? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?
3
Clinton is just lucky the Republicans went berserk and nominated Trump. Otherwise, with this pick for VP, she's toast. Might still be.
32
I wanted Bernie or Warren for VP, Kaine will do. Virginia is a needed swing state and with Bill's help, North Carolina should follow. The issue at hand...Stein. Something has to be done.....and fast. Currently, this race appears too close, and although I like Jill Stein very much, she has too many percentage points in needed swing states for comfort. Offering Bernie her third party presidential position (giving Trump the election) was not smart and I am really glad Bernie, being very smart, turned it down on the spot! Hopefully other emotional progressives get the message...this is real life here!
38
I was for Sen. Kane for all the usually cited points: State and Federal Experience, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, blue-collar roots, fluency in Spanish. The fact that his replacement would be appointed by a Democratic Governor, rather than Christie or Kasich, is certainly a big plus.
The one other fact that no one seems to be pointing-out, which would be most important in combatting Trump and Pence, is that he is a White Guy. Like it or not--and I don't--you know that the Trump Campaign will certainly play the Race Card. Good choice, Hillary!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
The one other fact that no one seems to be pointing-out, which would be most important in combatting Trump and Pence, is that he is a White Guy. Like it or not--and I don't--you know that the Trump Campaign will certainly play the Race Card. Good choice, Hillary!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
24
All of the people who were named as possible VPs sounded good and I'm sure Kaine will live up to all the good press about him. He's a fine choice or at the very least more than adequate.
I've been following politics since I was a kid, my parents were political junkies and my sister and I picked up the habiit too. We watched every convention, gavel to gavel starting in the mid-fifties and I can't remember any time when a nominee was given so much grief about who they chose for VP. People had their preferences but once someone was nominated, the party tended to coalesce around the nominee and that was that.
After watching Trump's acceptance speech, I can't understand why Bernie voter would stay home. It accomplishes nothing and it would make Trump very happy to know that he had turned Bernie supporters into passive Trump supporters.
I've been following politics since I was a kid, my parents were political junkies and my sister and I picked up the habiit too. We watched every convention, gavel to gavel starting in the mid-fifties and I can't remember any time when a nominee was given so much grief about who they chose for VP. People had their preferences but once someone was nominated, the party tended to coalesce around the nominee and that was that.
After watching Trump's acceptance speech, I can't understand why Bernie voter would stay home. It accomplishes nothing and it would make Trump very happy to know that he had turned Bernie supporters into passive Trump supporters.
47
"After watching Trump's acceptance speech, I can't understand why Bernie voter would stay home. It accomplishes nothing and it would make Trump very happy to know that he had turned Bernie supporters into passive Trump supporters."
Gee, thanks for the personal attack and the false equivalency.
It was NOT Trump's speech, if anybody turned Bernie supporters into Trump supporters it was:
1) the corrupt, war-mongering Hillary Clinton
2) her best pal DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz
3) Debbie's DNC "Super-Delegates"
4) $21 million in special interest money over the last 3 years
5) the still secret Wall Street transcripts
And that is just off the top of my head.
LOL, luckily Texas is going Trump so I will be writing in "Bernie Sanders" in November. What that really means is that if Trump wins it will have absolutely ZERO with how I vote.
And that will be the best choice for me, as I can vote against BOTH Clinton and Trump again and I can hold my head up high no matter which idiot wins!
#BernieOrBust #NeverHillary #NeverTrump
Gee, thanks for the personal attack and the false equivalency.
It was NOT Trump's speech, if anybody turned Bernie supporters into Trump supporters it was:
1) the corrupt, war-mongering Hillary Clinton
2) her best pal DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz
3) Debbie's DNC "Super-Delegates"
4) $21 million in special interest money over the last 3 years
5) the still secret Wall Street transcripts
And that is just off the top of my head.
LOL, luckily Texas is going Trump so I will be writing in "Bernie Sanders" in November. What that really means is that if Trump wins it will have absolutely ZERO with how I vote.
And that will be the best choice for me, as I can vote against BOTH Clinton and Trump again and I can hold my head up high no matter which idiot wins!
#BernieOrBust #NeverHillary #NeverTrump
2
It’s interesting, a message about decency, getting work done, letting go of the drama, evoking the duties/service part that is the office of President.
If you had to wake up in the middle of the night to really bad news, would you want Trump and Pence calling the shots? Unthinkable. We are all much safer with two pragmatic wonks who by nature and experience see themselves as duty bound to rise to any problem. Kaine is a smart choice. Thank goodness for this moment to breath.
If you had to wake up in the middle of the night to really bad news, would you want Trump and Pence calling the shots? Unthinkable. We are all much safer with two pragmatic wonks who by nature and experience see themselves as duty bound to rise to any problem. Kaine is a smart choice. Thank goodness for this moment to breath.
41
Yes, sure - like when the 3 am call came in about Benghazi - HRC had ignored all the warning signs, left our people in danger. Then when things got out of hand she did nothing, let them die and afterwards lied for short-term political ends.
Maybe not criminal, but incompetent readership.
Pathetic.
Maybe not criminal, but incompetent readership.
Pathetic.
1
Luke -- all of the anger and accusations and name-calling are tiresome. I think you’re believing what you want to believe, but it may have nothing to do with all of the information available.
Hillary does not need a VP pick that will get people out to vote. She has Trump to do that for her.
19
Would have preferred Amy Klobuchar or Heidi Heitkamp to improve her likability ratings but good enough - time to start knocking on doors.
15
Heidi?? Give the Dems a break! Heidi is a Republican in Democratic cloth.
Thanks for your support of my home Senator, Amy Klobuchar! I'm thankful for her leadership.
I would guess Clinton just gained the votes of some moderate Republicans horrified by Trump. Most Bernie supporters plan to vote for Hillary. About 10% plan to vote for Trump. Of the rest, surely, there is surely hardly more than five Bernie supporters in the entire country that would now decide to vote for Trump because Kaine is too moderate. Instead, the only plausible demographic with any actual voters in it that this pick loses are people who are liberal and would have voted for a ticket with Warren but now think they will stay home or vote Green. I predict this demographic will be almost non-existent if the race is close. Just think how Nader voters have never been able to get over their shame. In polls after the election, those that voted Nader vanished. Almost no-one would admit to it. In the end this group of voters will vote for ANYBODY that can beat Trump, even Hillary. I hope I am correct. Please, God, please. I do not like her but I would walk 100 miles on broken glass to vote for her.
17
Dnain:
I don't know about the broken glass or the 100 miles, but it is an easy call between a buffoon who is a megalomaniac and thinks he can unilaterally do things on day 1 as a dictator, and a politician.
I'll go with the politician over the megalomaniac dictator any day. I will hold my nose and vote a straight D ballot this year.
I don't know about the broken glass or the 100 miles, but it is an easy call between a buffoon who is a megalomaniac and thinks he can unilaterally do things on day 1 as a dictator, and a politician.
I'll go with the politician over the megalomaniac dictator any day. I will hold my nose and vote a straight D ballot this year.
I can't help but feel a sense of despair with this pick. It shows no boldness of purpose, no commitment to change - not even a significant political advantage ( we need to shore up the Rust Belt not Virginia). I supported Secretary Clinton all along - but this makes me question that support. I'm sorry but I feel this pick is the pick of a bygone era - and is not going to be enough to counter the very real threat of Dictator Trump.
25
Mark! Don't fret so much. Tim is a solid good man. No Silver Spoon Boy here Mark. Our Rust Belt allies are smarter then many think... Worked my butt off in Pittsburgh for 3 non-stop years. Still have deep feelings for so many friends I was lucky to meet.
Please don't tell me that you'll fail to support her, and in effect will support Trump, merely because of this choice. The country needs your vote for Hillary to avoid the catastrophe that is Trump!
It shows she's smart and wants to win.
VPs just don't matter in November.
This election will boil down to the debates.
There will probably be 3 or less.
If Hillary shows Trump to be unqualified she wins easily.
If she chokes like Al Gore she will lose like Gore did... in a squeaker.
This election will boil down to the debates.
There will probably be 3 or less.
If Hillary shows Trump to be unqualified she wins easily.
If she chokes like Al Gore she will lose like Gore did... in a squeaker.
4
Bill: You are correct: Trump may REFUSE to debate, because Hillary would crush him, and he knows it...
1
Can someone please tell me what this ticket offers anyone under 30 years of age? These are the people we need to bring in to the party and begin to set their voting patterns and I see nothing in this ticket to do that.
25
This ticket offers stability in the future (something Drumpf lacks) as well as candidates dedicated to continuing the Affordable Care Act (huge boon for 26 years and younger to stay on parents insurance while seeking employment) and fighting for gun violence prevention (such as comprehensive background checks on all sales). My favorite is that they will support early childhood education, paid maternity and paternity and sick leave expansion for employees (incl low wage who need it the most), and the continuation of programs such as SNAP and support for the international climate change accords. Also, the Supreme Court picks. My fave RBG is getting up their in age.
Margaret Hagerman:
If you can't distinguish between Littel Fonnie Dumkopf and HRC, consider who they will appoint as Supreme Court justices, a decision that will affect your life for decades, far longer than any one President.
We know Little Donnie will nominate reactionaries. He has said so, and has a list of them ready to go.
HRC will likely nominate centrists to moderate liberals.
Which do you prefer? Vote that way.
If you can't distinguish between Littel Fonnie Dumkopf and HRC, consider who they will appoint as Supreme Court justices, a decision that will affect your life for decades, far longer than any one President.
We know Little Donnie will nominate reactionaries. He has said so, and has a list of them ready to go.
HRC will likely nominate centrists to moderate liberals.
Which do you prefer? Vote that way.
@Margaret: Um... Let's see. Qualified, thoughtful, steady, progressive, adult leadership so that the country they inherit will be one they actually might want to live in?
1
And Trump is even older:
"We can't forget that Hillary is one of the oldest people ever nominated for President by a major party ..."
Reagan holds the record for the oldest person ever elected President. Hillary is a few months behind Reagan. Trump is well ahead of Reagan.
Let's face it: Both choices are OLD. That indeed makes the VP choice more important than usual.
"We can't forget that Hillary is one of the oldest people ever nominated for President by a major party ..."
Reagan holds the record for the oldest person ever elected President. Hillary is a few months behind Reagan. Trump is well ahead of Reagan.
Let's face it: Both choices are OLD. That indeed makes the VP choice more important than usual.
7
Kaine is an excellent choice! The progressive effort in the U.S. is a long game, and it's always worth our being clear-eyed — and working enthusiastically for the best candidates who can actually win. Clinton and Kaine are both enormously capable, seasoned, honorable public servants, known for across-the-aisles collaboration and forward-looking policies in many important areas. They have my vote!
41
Agreed. Now for Hillary to heal those trust issues and her e-mail controversy. A very silly thing to do from a woman of her stature. Hillary for president.
Clinton honorable? Where have you been?
3
First, any progressive voter who sits out in November or throws away their vote out of ideologically purity will bear some responsibility for putting an ethno-nationalist, misogynist, mentally unstable, authoritarian, egomaniacal ignoramus in charge of America's nuclear-armed global empire. I'm a diehard leftist (left of "progressive," in fact -- I'm genuinely anticapitalist, not just a capitalist New Dealer like Sanders)...and for that very reason urge you ideologically pure Greens and social democrats not to act like the German and Italian citizens who enabled Hitler and Mussolini, respectively. This is an "all hand on deck" historical moment.
Second, in the 1932 campaign, Sanders' role model (FDR) looked a lot more conservative than Kaine does now. Kaine, a working-class kid, worked in the trenches as a low-income housing, poverty lawyer for 17 years. FDR, of course, lived the patrician life and campaigned on a platform of austerity.
Third, Trump's demagogic appeal to working-class voters will impel both Clinton and Kaine to offer policy proposals that appeal to those same voters....and just might impel them to actually press for their realization in the face of an ongoing Republican Party-turned-populist/fascist. True, the probability that they'll in fact implement those policies is low....but even their continuing rhetoric along those lines will be culture-shaping which is, after all, the primary achievement of the Sanders movement.
Second, in the 1932 campaign, Sanders' role model (FDR) looked a lot more conservative than Kaine does now. Kaine, a working-class kid, worked in the trenches as a low-income housing, poverty lawyer for 17 years. FDR, of course, lived the patrician life and campaigned on a platform of austerity.
Third, Trump's demagogic appeal to working-class voters will impel both Clinton and Kaine to offer policy proposals that appeal to those same voters....and just might impel them to actually press for their realization in the face of an ongoing Republican Party-turned-populist/fascist. True, the probability that they'll in fact implement those policies is low....but even their continuing rhetoric along those lines will be culture-shaping which is, after all, the primary achievement of the Sanders movement.
39
It's not purism to not want to be lied to.
3
LOL I had to laugh when you said this say this:
"an ethno-nationalist, misogynist, mentally unstable, authoritarian, egomaniacal ignoramus in charge of America's nuclear-armed global empire."
Throw out ethno-nationalist and you described Hillary Clinton perfectly:
1) misogynist - she actively suppressed women who accused Bill Clinton of sexually harassing them during his "Bimbo Eruption" phase
2) mentally unstable - her first vote was for Barry Goldwater and her first flop-flop was cursing the Democratic Party with her presence.
3) authoritarian - she worships war criminal Henry Kissinger.
4) egomaniacal - she should have stepped aside for the good of the Democratic Party and the country.
5) ignoramus - her attempts at bringing peace to the Middle East contributed to the rise of ISIS.
You say you are to the left of the progressives, as a socialist I had to laugh again when you said:
"Sanders' role model (FDR) looked a lot more conservative than Kaine does now."
Way to lie like your hero Hillary Clinton.
You are probably another paid pro-Clinton shill, I don't know why I even bother to respond to people like you.
"an ethno-nationalist, misogynist, mentally unstable, authoritarian, egomaniacal ignoramus in charge of America's nuclear-armed global empire."
Throw out ethno-nationalist and you described Hillary Clinton perfectly:
1) misogynist - she actively suppressed women who accused Bill Clinton of sexually harassing them during his "Bimbo Eruption" phase
2) mentally unstable - her first vote was for Barry Goldwater and her first flop-flop was cursing the Democratic Party with her presence.
3) authoritarian - she worships war criminal Henry Kissinger.
4) egomaniacal - she should have stepped aside for the good of the Democratic Party and the country.
5) ignoramus - her attempts at bringing peace to the Middle East contributed to the rise of ISIS.
You say you are to the left of the progressives, as a socialist I had to laugh again when you said:
"Sanders' role model (FDR) looked a lot more conservative than Kaine does now."
Way to lie like your hero Hillary Clinton.
You are probably another paid pro-Clinton shill, I don't know why I even bother to respond to people like you.
3
No Hillary shill here. She ain't my hero. I ardently supported Bernie, and I supported his DSA all the way back when it started as DSOC. Even though those organizations are much more moderate than my own political philosophy, I saw them as stepping stones, just as Bernie's movement was a huge, huge step forward in our political culture, and I worked tirelessly on his campaign. So I ardently wish that Bernie or Liz Warren or even Sherrod Brown were the Dem's nominee. But now we have to play the bad cards we were dealt. Yes, as Gore Vidal used to like to say, we have two parties in the US and they're both "the party of property." So what you say about Hillary does resonate with me, but in this case, choosing the lesser of two evils isn't a matter of giving up on one's commitments. Trump is a danger to civilization if not humankind, as Tony Schwartz has articulated most clearly and with greatest knowledge of the man himself. Trump is insane; Hillary is not insane. There's something Trumpish in your angry, inaccurate. truth-crushing equation of Trump and Hillary. And, yes, check your history books about FDR's program in the 1932 campaign. I wrote a book on the subject. Of course, in the end, he was our greatest President, and I'd enthusiastically support him today as I supported Bernie and for the same reasons. But I feel that way about FDR in large part because he stopped the kind of global fascism, a risk that Trump poses.
Given some of the reaction here, the Sanders camp despises Clinton's agenda:
another show of diversity in the presidency, this time, a woman;
an overturning of Citizens United;
middle-class tax relief;
the ability to refinance student loans;
free college tuition (despite what Bernie advocated; ironic, isn't it);
a raise in K-12 teachers' salaries;
modern schools;
an expansion of disability rights;
universal health care;
funding for research for Alzheimer's Disease;
paid family and medical leave;
cuts to energy waste;
renewable energy sources;
oil companies stripped of their tax breaks;
cleaner fuels;
expanded protections for animals and wildlife;
a comeback of unions;
...and I've probably neared the word limit.
Hillary is the practical version of Bernie.
If you give us a Trump presidency for your unfounded hatred of her, you will be squarely to blame for the utter chaos in which this country WILL find itself.
Bernie lost. Someone had to. Get over it.
another show of diversity in the presidency, this time, a woman;
an overturning of Citizens United;
middle-class tax relief;
the ability to refinance student loans;
free college tuition (despite what Bernie advocated; ironic, isn't it);
a raise in K-12 teachers' salaries;
modern schools;
an expansion of disability rights;
universal health care;
funding for research for Alzheimer's Disease;
paid family and medical leave;
cuts to energy waste;
renewable energy sources;
oil companies stripped of their tax breaks;
cleaner fuels;
expanded protections for animals and wildlife;
a comeback of unions;
...and I've probably neared the word limit.
Hillary is the practical version of Bernie.
If you give us a Trump presidency for your unfounded hatred of her, you will be squarely to blame for the utter chaos in which this country WILL find itself.
Bernie lost. Someone had to. Get over it.
62
Hillary just said that stuff to get your vote. And it worked. Sucker.
3
"Hillary is the practical version of Bernie."
Maybe in Superman's Bizarro Universe.
"If you give us a Trump presidency for your unfounded hatred of her, you will be squarely to blame for the utter chaos in which this country WILL find itself."
Texas is going Trump, so I am writing in "Bernie Sanders".
If Trump wins it will really be because the Democrats gave us such a crappy candidate to vote for; because the voters were not given a chance to vote for someone who actually cared about this country instead of their political career and how they will be remembered by history.
Like Bernie Sanders.
"Bernie lost. Someone had to. Get over it."
And in November I hope you will not get too upset when I say:
"Hillary lost. Someone had to. Get over it."
You can blame the voters then too, because people like you will never admit that the Democrats blew it big time by choosing Clinton and Clinton blew it big time by choosing Kaine.
Way to get disaffected young and minority Bernie Sanders voters to support your candidate. Condescend us, insult us, and blame us when the fault really lies with the DNC and the Democratic Establishment.
Picking an Establishment candidate when the nation wants CHANGE is stupid. But no, to you it is not the Democratic Establishment's fault, it is the fault of us Bernie supporters.
It seems to me that logic and reason are in short supply in the Clinton camp, just like truth and honesty have been for a long time.
Maybe in Superman's Bizarro Universe.
"If you give us a Trump presidency for your unfounded hatred of her, you will be squarely to blame for the utter chaos in which this country WILL find itself."
Texas is going Trump, so I am writing in "Bernie Sanders".
If Trump wins it will really be because the Democrats gave us such a crappy candidate to vote for; because the voters were not given a chance to vote for someone who actually cared about this country instead of their political career and how they will be remembered by history.
Like Bernie Sanders.
"Bernie lost. Someone had to. Get over it."
And in November I hope you will not get too upset when I say:
"Hillary lost. Someone had to. Get over it."
You can blame the voters then too, because people like you will never admit that the Democrats blew it big time by choosing Clinton and Clinton blew it big time by choosing Kaine.
Way to get disaffected young and minority Bernie Sanders voters to support your candidate. Condescend us, insult us, and blame us when the fault really lies with the DNC and the Democratic Establishment.
Picking an Establishment candidate when the nation wants CHANGE is stupid. But no, to you it is not the Democratic Establishment's fault, it is the fault of us Bernie supporters.
It seems to me that logic and reason are in short supply in the Clinton camp, just like truth and honesty have been for a long time.
2
Please, all you ship jumpers, remember that this man is known for being able to work with people across party lines and get things accomplished. He is moderately progressive in education, labor, and women's rights issues. He's pragmatic and not dogmatic. How in the world have these come to be negatives? I can understand the disappointment of people who wanted a far more progressive ticket -- I voted for Sanders in the primary -- but really, whoever wins this election will have to work with an obstructionist Congress that will still be dominated by Republicans. How do you think Congress would "work with" a Green party candidate even were she to be elected?
And how can anyone consider the issue of the direction of the Supreme Court, probably for a couple of decades, as not crucially important?
And finally, how can anyone look at Trump's red face, listen to him yelling and riffing on himself, see how he goes after his detractors, and not be put into deadly fear at the thought of this guy with the nuclear codes?
And how can anyone consider the issue of the direction of the Supreme Court, probably for a couple of decades, as not crucially important?
And finally, how can anyone look at Trump's red face, listen to him yelling and riffing on himself, see how he goes after his detractors, and not be put into deadly fear at the thought of this guy with the nuclear codes?
76
Looks Like Hillary Clinton has become the de facto Republican nominee. Here come eight more "compassionate conservative" bloody war torn Bush years.
I'm older, I'm white, I'm financially independent and I'll write in Mr. Sanders come November.
I'm older, I'm white, I'm financially independent and I'll write in Mr. Sanders come November.
28
Says it all. Those of us who are not financially independent will be at the mercy of whatever the stock market decides to do when Donald starts tearing up those trade agreements. But you've got yours, and that's all that matters.
Tony Reardon:
I am older, white and financially independent. I have children and grandchildren.
If enough people write in a name, Little Donnie Dumkopf wins.
I am a Bernie Supporter. I will hold my nose and vote straight D.
You can vote your ideals, and risk letting Little Donnie win, or you can vote for a ticket that will better support at least some iof your goals if not all.
Goal one for me is a liberal nominee for the Supreme Court. That is a decision that has very long term consequences. It concerns the country, and the world, my children and grandchildren will inhabit.
There are potentially three more vacancies coming up soon. RBG is 83, Kennedy is 79 and Steven Breyer is 77.
I am not willing to risk Little Donnie winning and nominating one reactionary, let alone 4.
Think about the long term, rather than just this one unpalatable election choice. The adage that "the perfect is the enemy of the good" applies.
I am older, white and financially independent. I have children and grandchildren.
If enough people write in a name, Little Donnie Dumkopf wins.
I am a Bernie Supporter. I will hold my nose and vote straight D.
You can vote your ideals, and risk letting Little Donnie win, or you can vote for a ticket that will better support at least some iof your goals if not all.
Goal one for me is a liberal nominee for the Supreme Court. That is a decision that has very long term consequences. It concerns the country, and the world, my children and grandchildren will inhabit.
There are potentially three more vacancies coming up soon. RBG is 83, Kennedy is 79 and Steven Breyer is 77.
I am not willing to risk Little Donnie winning and nominating one reactionary, let alone 4.
Think about the long term, rather than just this one unpalatable election choice. The adage that "the perfect is the enemy of the good" applies.
1
Tony: Then be happy with Trump, because he will win if you write in Sanders...
1
There are three possibilities for dissatisfied voters, and the consequences to Hillary are much different:
1. Vote for Hillary. Obviously this is good for Hillary.
2. Vote for Trump. Obviously this is bad for Hillary.
3. Vote for Johnson or Stein, or don't vote for anyone. These are all exactly the same: Worse than #1, better than #2.
1. Vote for Hillary. Obviously this is good for Hillary.
2. Vote for Trump. Obviously this is bad for Hillary.
3. Vote for Johnson or Stein, or don't vote for anyone. These are all exactly the same: Worse than #1, better than #2.
5
MyThreeCents
If you have a conundrum choosing between HRC and Little Donnie, consider what kind of person each would nominate for the Supreme Court.
HRC would nominate a moderate liberal or centrist.
Little Donnie will definitely nominate reactionaries. Look at the list he has put out. All far right wingers.
That makes the choice easy for me. Not Trump, for sure. So it is HRC by default.
Johnson/Weld and Dr. Jill Stein will pull exactly ZERO electoral votes. Do you want a "feel good" vote that accomplishes NOTHING, or a vote that has consequences?
Elections are not about YOU. They are about the future of our society.
If you have a conundrum choosing between HRC and Little Donnie, consider what kind of person each would nominate for the Supreme Court.
HRC would nominate a moderate liberal or centrist.
Little Donnie will definitely nominate reactionaries. Look at the list he has put out. All far right wingers.
That makes the choice easy for me. Not Trump, for sure. So it is HRC by default.
Johnson/Weld and Dr. Jill Stein will pull exactly ZERO electoral votes. Do you want a "feel good" vote that accomplishes NOTHING, or a vote that has consequences?
Elections are not about YOU. They are about the future of our society.
1
A vote for "purity" is a vote for Trump. You Nader types will doom all of us.
Apparently Kaine's sterling civil rights record, made at a time when civil rights weren't popular in Virginia, isn't progressive. Neither is Clinton's, made at a time when civil rights weren't popular in Arkansas. When this election season started I admired Bernie and his supporters. I still admire Bernie; his supporters not so much.
23
Further proof that Clinton has no intention on courting the progressives or tilting toward the progressive agenda. Just you wait, TPP will be pushed through, Keystone pipeline will be approved, the national forests and BLM lands will be opened to more clear cut logging and mining, pollution controls weakened, corporate tax breaks increased, fuel economy standards rolled back, and another Mid-East war with heavy U.S. involvement will occur. Are we electing a Margaret Thatcher? Give 'em hell Bernie when the DNC opens up next week!!!
29
agree.
1
Pretty safe choice.
On the other hand, you gotta love a guy who kept George Allen from public office. George represents the worst of Old Dixie.
I wonder how this will play out with younger voters. This guy's as far from the charismatic and progressive Bernie as you can get in the traditional wing of the party.
On the other hand, you gotta love a guy who kept George Allen from public office. George represents the worst of Old Dixie.
I wonder how this will play out with younger voters. This guy's as far from the charismatic and progressive Bernie as you can get in the traditional wing of the party.
5
We finally have somebody on one of the tickets who isn't a cartoon villain. Yay!
19
Well duh... Why would you think Hillary is a cartoon villain when we all know she's a Pulp Fiction villain. And Kaine is some kind Archie comic villain... I have it on good authority that this the case.
No, we have not forgotten our country almost went over a financial cliff in 2007/2008 because of the unregulated banks and the American taxpayer had to bail them out with trillions. While the American taxpayer bailed the too big to fail banks out, millions of Americans lost homes and jobs ! Tim Kane wants to deregulate the banks ... seriously ! Apparently, Mr Kane wants us to relieve those good old days ! I'd say he's bought lock, stock and barrel by the banks. Then there's the fact he has been working on pushing TPP, the mother of all trade deals that sells out our sovereignty to transnational companies. Profit would override basic things like clean drinking water, our state laws would no longer protect us with TPP. TPP benefits the rich globalists who want to destroy more American jobs. With her choice of Tim Kane ... I am so over Hillary, there is no Democratic Party . You blew it, Hillary !
27
Reality check we bailed them out an they out sourced our jobs to comunist country
Hillary DOES NOT support TPP and she's running for president, not Kaine.
Please give this ticket a chance. After the spectacle of a gladitorial convention in Cleveland this week, surely you don't want Trump, the new Captain Queeg and who plays from the bottom of the deck, to become your next commanded-in-chief?
Please give this ticket a chance. After the spectacle of a gladitorial convention in Cleveland this week, surely you don't want Trump, the new Captain Queeg and who plays from the bottom of the deck, to become your next commanded-in-chief?
This is a very mature pick. One party has opted for crazy and radical right-wing. The other has opted for two people with relevant experience and respect for our government. If we progressives are serious about lamenting the polarization in America, we should applaud this ticket as the best chance to heal and unite the country. Enough with the anger. Time to double down on decency and listening to all voices in our polyglot country. Hillary/Tim are FAR superior to Donald/Mike in that and every other measure of leadership.
45
And it is our job as progressives to stay on top of these two and keep them to a progressive agenda. Hillary moved on TPP and Keystone pipeline, and pretty much on the $15 minimum wage, she can be pushed on other progressive issues no matter who her vice president is. Keep on pushing...
A perfect choice except to howlers on the far left. And who can silence them? Sen. Sanders, who's up Monday night.
To all those left screwballs (and I grew up far, far, far left of you and you can figure that out if you know the color of the nappies we leftie babies wore in the early 40's -- and if you don't know the answer to that then rethink your politics because you don't even have a right to them) the answer is real simple.
Virginia has moved from blood red to purple to blue and you know who started that, has led it, guided it, made it happen? Tim Kaine. Say it again please, Tim Kaine.
You don't run as a Democrat in Virginia as a screaming meemie liberal unless all you want to do is lose. If you want to win, you run as a moderate.
And by the way, to all the extremists of both parties, this is a global economy, we do have to enter the TPP with over two dozen other nations. It is the way we bring a balance to our economic/financial relationship with China, the new and future world power.
And who do you want to be interviewed by Telemundo and Univision this campaign, speaking in its language and the language of its audience? Well I will take a Spanish speaker every time for that task.
So Sen. Sanders first job Monday night is to tell his people -- cut it out, get real, understand this is a really smart, necessary and good choice and MOVE ON to get the Clinton/Kaine ticket elected because the alternative, in case they had not noticed, is Armageddon.
To all those left screwballs (and I grew up far, far, far left of you and you can figure that out if you know the color of the nappies we leftie babies wore in the early 40's -- and if you don't know the answer to that then rethink your politics because you don't even have a right to them) the answer is real simple.
Virginia has moved from blood red to purple to blue and you know who started that, has led it, guided it, made it happen? Tim Kaine. Say it again please, Tim Kaine.
You don't run as a Democrat in Virginia as a screaming meemie liberal unless all you want to do is lose. If you want to win, you run as a moderate.
And by the way, to all the extremists of both parties, this is a global economy, we do have to enter the TPP with over two dozen other nations. It is the way we bring a balance to our economic/financial relationship with China, the new and future world power.
And who do you want to be interviewed by Telemundo and Univision this campaign, speaking in its language and the language of its audience? Well I will take a Spanish speaker every time for that task.
So Sen. Sanders first job Monday night is to tell his people -- cut it out, get real, understand this is a really smart, necessary and good choice and MOVE ON to get the Clinton/Kaine ticket elected because the alternative, in case they had not noticed, is Armageddon.
571
@Carl Z. How can we get your comment into the email in box of every Bernie supporter in the country?
Um, demographic shift in the DC suburbs turned VA purple.
Thankfully, some of us aspire to a brighter future than that which Virginia voters might be willing to confer on us. Apparently it will take a Trump presidency for the DNC folks to get real.
Thankfully, some of us aspire to a brighter future than that which Virginia voters might be willing to confer on us. Apparently it will take a Trump presidency for the DNC folks to get real.
2
Hi Red Diaper baby, I completely agree. And isn't it rich that Trump's father-in-law was a party member? His membership might have been more about personal advancement than ideology, but can you imagine the howling and red-baiting that would have been going on during the Republican Convention if that shoe were on the Democratic foot instead of the Trump family foot? Clinton/Kaine to Victory!
A great choice! Somewhere out there is a guy named Walter Johnson who is smiling. (Kaine was his teaching assistant at the University of Missouri)
12
Well, she DID do half of what you're asking for:
"I was hoping that hillary would pick a non white running mate who would also be younger than her."
Kaine is only 58, a full decade younger than Hillary. I can assure you that many of us consider 58 to be "young."
"I was hoping that hillary would pick a non white running mate who would also be younger than her."
Kaine is only 58, a full decade younger than Hillary. I can assure you that many of us consider 58 to be "young."
24
All of your sneerinig at Clinton's choice or Kaine himself had better wake up and smell the coffee had better wake up and smell the coffee--fast. If you heard Donald Trump last night there is NO alternative but Clinton/Kaine.
Hold your nose and do what this country needs to do: defeat Donald Trump. End of debate.
Hold your nose and do what this country needs to do: defeat Donald Trump. End of debate.
43
No nose holding involved. Let's back this team and insist that each and every citizen do as much as they can. Otherwise mister, You are part of the solution, or you are part of the problem.
You misunderstand. It's not that Trump isn't awful -- he is -- but rather he is the only instrument left to teach Democrats a lesson. It's sad that it will take four years of Trump for the DNC-types to realize how profoundly inadequate their amoral politics is. You can't just keep treating voters lik idiots and expect our unwavering support.
So for all the southern voters who gave us Clinton, despite knowing she is the most unpopular candidate available, good luck. You have handed the presidency to Trump. I can only assume you are all very affluent and well off and will survive a Trump presidency just fine.
So for all the southern voters who gave us Clinton, despite knowing she is the most unpopular candidate available, good luck. You have handed the presidency to Trump. I can only assume you are all very affluent and well off and will survive a Trump presidency just fine.
1
Can we put politics aside and agree that it is ridiculous that this article mentions more than once that he is fluent in Spanish. This isn't an internship resume or an acting audition. Can the Times stop regurgitating talking points that don't make sense to begin with? Every high school student in America has some degree of competence with a foreign language... Heck, Melania claims to speak 4.
8
Ah, but how many languages does she speak fluently? Certainly not English.
Yeah, but two of them are Michelle's.
This vice-presidential choice is yet more evidence that Hillary Clinton is encased within a figurative "bubble by dint of having spent years and years moving in elite circles.
She's separated from the vast majority of Americans by political fixers, pollsters and advisers who continue to consider political campaigns nothing more than an effort to "sell" politicians using focus groups and polling, as if each person to be "marketed" were a brand of deodorant to be had at a local Walgreens - and as if all of us voters were wide-eyed dunces.
This has worked at locally for a long time. In a PBS "American Experience" documentary on the Kennedys, the narrator told how, when J.F.K. first ran for Congress in 1946, his father Joe quipped "We're going to sell Jack like soap flakes."
What Hillary Clinton doesn't realize is that Trump has managed to energize millions of voters by, in effect, speaking to them over the heads of media pundits, seasoned journalists and many local civic leaders with real social consciences - much as Ronald Reagan was able to do in 1980.
On July 20th - the day before Trump's acceptance speech, on Bill Maher's show, a downcast Michael Moore told Maher's guests that he believes Trump is going to win in November because of "The Bubble."
Maher replies "He certainly could win. The enemy is complacency." Here's the You Tube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxzQWIvD0ek
But Hillary Clinton, in her complacent bubble, will probably never watch it.
She's separated from the vast majority of Americans by political fixers, pollsters and advisers who continue to consider political campaigns nothing more than an effort to "sell" politicians using focus groups and polling, as if each person to be "marketed" were a brand of deodorant to be had at a local Walgreens - and as if all of us voters were wide-eyed dunces.
This has worked at locally for a long time. In a PBS "American Experience" documentary on the Kennedys, the narrator told how, when J.F.K. first ran for Congress in 1946, his father Joe quipped "We're going to sell Jack like soap flakes."
What Hillary Clinton doesn't realize is that Trump has managed to energize millions of voters by, in effect, speaking to them over the heads of media pundits, seasoned journalists and many local civic leaders with real social consciences - much as Ronald Reagan was able to do in 1980.
On July 20th - the day before Trump's acceptance speech, on Bill Maher's show, a downcast Michael Moore told Maher's guests that he believes Trump is going to win in November because of "The Bubble."
Maher replies "He certainly could win. The enemy is complacency." Here's the You Tube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxzQWIvD0ek
But Hillary Clinton, in her complacent bubble, will probably never watch it.
27
@Rudy. If you think that a well-regarded, moderate-liberal, experienced, and popular Democratic governor of a southern state for VP is a bad choice in a general election, then HRC is not the one living in a bubble.
1
I'm sorry. I'm very disappointed. I think Clinton just blew it. There are plenty of people who speak Spanish if that's the big deal. Some of them aren't white people.
19
Voting for Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine as Vice President and Bill Clinton as co-President? I'll pass. I haven't decided for Trump yet. Maybe a write in because there is a first time for everything.
19
@nomad. If you truly think this way, please stay home on Election Day. This one's too important.
Jill Stein.
3
I would have much rather had Sherrod Brown, but the stakes are to high to quibble.
16
This is an excellent pick and should help bring independents and crossover Republicans into the fold (and unless you want Trump to win, you have to view that as a good thing).
And for those of you in the "I can't bear to vote for HRC so I'm supporting Jill Stein" camp, please consider Ralph Nader in 2000. Remember how that worked out?
And for those of you in the "I can't bear to vote for HRC so I'm supporting Jill Stein" camp, please consider Ralph Nader in 2000. Remember how that worked out?
29
Bernie's party is officially over. Turn out the lights. Time to go home and feed the cats. Only a handful Bernie loyalist's show up at the RNC convention.
9
Except that 80% of Bernie supporters were voting for HRC *before* this truly outstanding VP choice.
I was hoping Clinton would pick a non-traditional politician and gone with Admiral Stavridis, but what the heck do I know. I just think the admiral would have been an excellent counter to the dark apocalyptic and scary vision that Trump pictured last night, but again, what the heck do I know?
I only know that this is politics as usual, and not very inspiring. Kaine may not hurt Hillary's chances, but I have a feeling he will not help her where she needs help, which is credibility with progressives.
I only know that this is politics as usual, and not very inspiring. Kaine may not hurt Hillary's chances, but I have a feeling he will not help her where she needs help, which is credibility with progressives.
14
@ernie. I don't think she needs credibility with progressives (except, perhaps, the 15% of Bernie supporters who claim they won't vote for her -- and she was never going to get them, no matter what). She was one of the most liberal Senators in the U.S. Senate, for any progressive who was really paying attention. In the general, she needs independents and moderates. And she gets them with Kaine. An added bonus is that he's an experienced, well-regarded, competent adult who could be president on day one. Can't say that about Trump or Pence.
And you think an Admiral would have made that better?
This decision will make or break her legacy. Have to admit, a bit more nervous now for the country that a President Trump seems probable in November.
14
Her track record should have her in prison not a presidential nominee
1
Sorry but she's once again demonstrated her political instincts, which are mind numbingly bad. I get he's from a swing state, but she just angered 30-40% of her base who were already on the fence about her, and without which she will lose badly. If this move doesn't show she was blowing hot air the whole time about being against TPP, then I don't know what does. After she votes in favor of TPP, are Bernie supporters going to continue to believe her when she swears she's against it??? Just another in a long line of bad decisions for Secretary Clinton.
32
Her base is not on the fence about her. If Bernie supporters still want to vote for Trump after that apocalyptic freak show in Cleveland, nothing Hillary or anyone else can do will change their minds.
2
Oh, good grief, what nonsense. She received MORE VOTES then Sanders.
There was no fence-sitting for her base. Who do you think gave her those votes?
I agree with a commenter above: I still like Sanders, but his supporters, not so much.
There was no fence-sitting for her base. Who do you think gave her those votes?
I agree with a commenter above: I still like Sanders, but his supporters, not so much.
1
Oh please!
"I am very happy about this pick! This is why I am voting for Hillary Clinton...she thought about the country first rather than party."
She picked Kaine because (1) she'll probably win Virginia; and (2) his replacement in the Senate will be named by a Democratic governor.
If she cared about the "party" -- not to mention winning the election -- she would have picked someone else, probably Warren.
VP picks rarely matter all that much, though. She's got that historical fact going for her.
"I am very happy about this pick! This is why I am voting for Hillary Clinton...she thought about the country first rather than party."
She picked Kaine because (1) she'll probably win Virginia; and (2) his replacement in the Senate will be named by a Democratic governor.
If she cared about the "party" -- not to mention winning the election -- she would have picked someone else, probably Warren.
VP picks rarely matter all that much, though. She's got that historical fact going for her.
12
We shall see and hear from Tim Kaine come Monday... I will base my vote on what I see and hear in Philadelphia and farther on up the road to November... I will not be voting for any republycans... on down the line
8
I'm pretty dam liberal and I want a democrat in the White House as much as anyone and more than most. But It really frosts me to read comments from the purists who are looking for their Messiah that Tim Kaine is somehow the devil incarnate, making a Trump Pence ticket much preferable to Hillary. That is some seriously deranged and dangerous "thinking." Look people, when you vote with your glands you get disasters like trump and brexit and the NRA, and the rest of the Republican Party for that matter. Are you really that kind of voter?
Sure, I'd have preferred Sherrod Brown but i didn't get him. You would have preferred Sanders or Warren or Chomsky, but you didn't get them. Kaine is fine. He meets the two important criteria for a VP candidate. Now go out and start knocking on doors. That is, if you really do know what's at stake for America and the world. (That's all this is about.).
Sure, I'd have preferred Sherrod Brown but i didn't get him. You would have preferred Sanders or Warren or Chomsky, but you didn't get them. Kaine is fine. He meets the two important criteria for a VP candidate. Now go out and start knocking on doors. That is, if you really do know what's at stake for America and the world. (That's all this is about.).
731
Brown and Warren are senators from states with Republican governors. We don't want to replace a Democrat in the senate with a Republican appointment.
I think a lot of these anti-Kaine, anti-Clinton comments, from supposedly "pro-Bernie" Revolutionistas are actually Republican Party-planted, to sow the seeds of discord, so I wouldn't worry about it. The true Bernie loyalists have gone back to their organic gardens in Brattleboro. I say that with pure affection, since I lived there for many years, and my children are Real Vermonters, a source of pride.
2
VPs are chosen for optics, not governing. Do you think Obama would have governed differently with Kaine as his VP rather than Biden? Nope. And Clinton will not govern differently with Booker, Castro, Warren or Kaine on the ticket. Move along, nothing to see here.
12
I like this pick. If Hillary wins Virginia, Trumo has to sweep Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and I bet Kaine spends a lot of time in Florida speaking Spanish, so this may nail down two key states It's not a nod to Bernie voters, but we'll get over it. I voted for Bernie in the primary, and I think Bernie would make a great cabinet member, perhaps focused on getting education costs down. Kaine is a solid, responsible guy, which is what we need going up against the unstable, irresponsible Trump.
36
I think Bernie makes a great Senator. Cabinet members lose a lot of their own voices because they have to follow the President. I expect that Bernie could manage an agency just fine, and I expect he could work with Clinton just fine, but that doesn't seem like the place where does the Left the most good.
Apparently Hillary has decided to write off the young and enthusiastic Sanders voters, thereby quite possibly dooming her candidacy. Get ready for President Trump.
21
On the contrary, young and enthusiastic Sanders voters will vote for Hillary in November because they're smart enough to understand that Donald Trump would be a disaster for this country, the environment and world peace.
37
Well, they haven't written her off. The vast majority are going to support her. Check the Pew poll from a couple of weeks ago. Even if they're disappointed in Kaine, it's not like she was going to pick Sanders; besides, he, like Warren, is far more effective in the Senate.
I'm already moving on to thinking about her cabinet. I wonder if Sherrod Brown will be her Labor Secretary, and Barney Frank for Treasury. Biden for Secretary of State.
Obama as a Justice? If only.
I'm a Sanders/Warren leftist who shares Sanders's passion but believes Clinton has the more pragmatic path to ensuring a sustainable breakaway from 30 years of GOP abuse.
As such, I don't share my fellow Sanders supporters' beration of her as a criminal or a huckster. I consider laying everything at the feet of one person to be both lazy and dangerous in that doing so provides cover to the confounding variables that typically are at play, and thus prevents us from looking at a situation as we should.
I'm already moving on to thinking about her cabinet. I wonder if Sherrod Brown will be her Labor Secretary, and Barney Frank for Treasury. Biden for Secretary of State.
Obama as a Justice? If only.
I'm a Sanders/Warren leftist who shares Sanders's passion but believes Clinton has the more pragmatic path to ensuring a sustainable breakaway from 30 years of GOP abuse.
As such, I don't share my fellow Sanders supporters' beration of her as a criminal or a huckster. I consider laying everything at the feet of one person to be both lazy and dangerous in that doing so provides cover to the confounding variables that typically are at play, and thus prevents us from looking at a situation as we should.
Young and enthusiastic Sanders voters need to vote for Hillary, and then keep the pressure on Clinton/Kaine to move to a progressive agenda. These two are indeed politicians, and will listen if the people speak loudly enough. Being part of a political revolution is not as easy as just voting for president. The real work starts after the election.
Cannot believe the crybabies on the thread.
Did you actually think Clinton would pick someone that Trump would eviscerate, like Sanders or Warren? Have you not seen the resumé of Trump's campaign guy Manafort, and what he's capable of?
Kaine may be centrist, but this is about winning an election. It's about climate change, saving the EPA, saving Obamacare, Supreme Court nominees, keeping abortion legal, equal rights for women, equitable tax rates, and on and on and on.
Kaine is the perfect pick to clinch this election.
Did you actually think Clinton would pick someone that Trump would eviscerate, like Sanders or Warren? Have you not seen the resumé of Trump's campaign guy Manafort, and what he's capable of?
Kaine may be centrist, but this is about winning an election. It's about climate change, saving the EPA, saving Obamacare, Supreme Court nominees, keeping abortion legal, equal rights for women, equitable tax rates, and on and on and on.
Kaine is the perfect pick to clinch this election.
71
for Trump, unfortunately.
Have you not seen Warren or Sanders' rhetorical ability to eviscerate Trump? When have we ever seen this from the charismatically challenged Hillary Clinton?
I don't see how touting Mr. Kaine's fluency in Spanish wins the ticket any votes, unless it's for foreign relations. Americans speak English.
11
Gosh, what's wrong with some sophistication? Do you really have to live under a rock to be appealing? Let the Righties do that. We're better.
Americans are white too, right?
Smart people usually speak or understand several languages.
Excellent choice.
26
Well David Brooks seems to like him.
But then conservative voters typically abide whatever Hannity & Limbaugh get jointly paid $100 million to tell them to think.
(& they'll no doubt think of something to rouse the red-state rabble if only keep their lucrative civil war of smear going).
Seems a bit less bad of a pick than the Navy guy. if we must have right-wing Democrats in office, better if they're not medal-encrusted career militarists.
Either way this goes It all looks so much cooler in Canada right now, literally.
But then conservative voters typically abide whatever Hannity & Limbaugh get jointly paid $100 million to tell them to think.
(& they'll no doubt think of something to rouse the red-state rabble if only keep their lucrative civil war of smear going).
Seems a bit less bad of a pick than the Navy guy. if we must have right-wing Democrats in office, better if they're not medal-encrusted career militarists.
Either way this goes It all looks so much cooler in Canada right now, literally.
9
Sitting up at last straight in my chair. With some exhilaration after the long drawn-out week of The Trump Convention, it is a relief to know that Tim Kaine is on board. Virginia has my heart. Many of us are descendants of the first Governor of this State, Richard Bennett.
A Jesuit background is impressive. Highly disciplined and strong. Congratulations, Mrs. Clinton, for restoring confidence and redressing our Country with your fine choice of Running Mate.
A Jesuit background is impressive. Highly disciplined and strong. Congratulations, Mrs. Clinton, for restoring confidence and redressing our Country with your fine choice of Running Mate.
40
Hate to tell you, but Scott Brown went to Boston College Law School, a Jesuit school, while Elizabeth Warren went to secular Rutgers Newark Law School.
Do you think that Brown's Jesuit based education made him a better lawyer and Senator?
Do you think that Brown's Jesuit based education made him a better lawyer and Senator?
6
RM, may we begin by binning the word 'Hate'? I did not go to College. The Catholic nuns at school in France, who taught us that food for the soul was more important than bread on the table, made me aware at a young age that life was not going to be easy, or fair.
With this in mind, Hillary Clinton has been placed through the Spanish Inquisition. America reminds me of a loved one, ailing and weak, a patient that has now been declared in remission with the appointment of Tim Kaine.
You are entitled to your opinion and I agree that not all Jesuits are created equal, but it is a formidable beginning. He may appear to be quiet and 'boring' to some of us, but I believe that he may be able to build some bridges and mend fences among the People now divided and at odds.
I will go one step further and report that this strong and steadfast man is not in the political limelight for Power and Glory.
Mrs. Clinton is to be commended. She faces powerful obstacles and it shows good judgement on her part to have a humanitarian standing by her side in this season of travails and tribulations.
With this in mind, Hillary Clinton has been placed through the Spanish Inquisition. America reminds me of a loved one, ailing and weak, a patient that has now been declared in remission with the appointment of Tim Kaine.
You are entitled to your opinion and I agree that not all Jesuits are created equal, but it is a formidable beginning. He may appear to be quiet and 'boring' to some of us, but I believe that he may be able to build some bridges and mend fences among the People now divided and at odds.
I will go one step further and report that this strong and steadfast man is not in the political limelight for Power and Glory.
Mrs. Clinton is to be commended. She faces powerful obstacles and it shows good judgement on her part to have a humanitarian standing by her side in this season of travails and tribulations.
I don't have a problem with Tim Kaine, but I do think Hillary Clinton lost an opportunity to engage with voter segments that she is weak with. Tim Kaine doesn't make her more popular among young voters, who skew liberal but who usually have low turn-outs. Tim Kaine doesn't make her more popular with far-left progressive Democrats.
Hillary is already strong with Latino voters. Virginia is a swing state, but Ohio and Florida still outweigh all other swing states.
On the other hand, I seriously doubt Kaine will persuade anybody voting for Trump to vote for Hillary. Kaine doesn't bring anything to the table that Hillary doesn't.
VP pick is a political opportunity. I don't think Clinton made the most of hers.
Hillary is already strong with Latino voters. Virginia is a swing state, but Ohio and Florida still outweigh all other swing states.
On the other hand, I seriously doubt Kaine will persuade anybody voting for Trump to vote for Hillary. Kaine doesn't bring anything to the table that Hillary doesn't.
VP pick is a political opportunity. I don't think Clinton made the most of hers.
18
She kicked all of us progressives to the ditch.
We will rise against her.
We will rise against her.
2
Maybe, just maybe, shoe picked him because he'd make a good president if that became necessary.
Wow, I like this guy. And boy, he's handsome too!
18
@Dr,
I can't decide if your comment is funny or slightly mean spirited (the looks part). I'm going with somewhere in between. ; )
7-23-16@1:02 am
I can't decide if your comment is funny or slightly mean spirited (the looks part). I'm going with somewhere in between. ; )
7-23-16@1:02 am
A solid choice. Clinton/Kaine shouldn't have a problem annihilating Trump.
27
No VP choice is going to be perfect, but I believe this to be solid. I'm glad that she didn't pick Cory Booker because I want to see him grow in the Senate and run for president in 2024.
31
Of course it is, but so what?
"This pick is a slap in the face to liberal wing of the party and Bernie voters."
So what are those voters going to do -- vote for Trump? For Johnson? For Stein? Hillary knows she'll get all those votes, and she really doesn't care whether they "hold their noses" as they pull the lever for her.
"This pick is a slap in the face to liberal wing of the party and Bernie voters."
So what are those voters going to do -- vote for Trump? For Johnson? For Stein? Hillary knows she'll get all those votes, and she really doesn't care whether they "hold their noses" as they pull the lever for her.
11
No she won't. Many will stay home, vote third party, or (gulp) even vote for Trump. Did you see the other story about how Wikileaks tapped the DNC e-mails, and the treasure trove shows that the DNC was totally non-neutral in the Clinton Sanders primary?
A corrupt party organization paving the way for an ethically challenged candidate to her coronation.....sorry, does not pass my smell test no matter how hard I may try to hold my nose.
A corrupt party organization paving the way for an ethically challenged candidate to her coronation.....sorry, does not pass my smell test no matter how hard I may try to hold my nose.
15
No She is not going to get those votes.
You do not spit 13 million voters in the face and expect their vote.
You do not spit 13 million voters in the face and expect their vote.
1
Good call.
I'm still looking for the Sanders camp to be outraged with Sanders for endorsing Clinton, but it seems being blinded by hatred of Clinton has a way of blocking out everything else.
Clinton made a wise choice in Kaine all the way around, and it is further evidence of her political skill.
I'm still looking for the Sanders camp to be outraged with Sanders for endorsing Clinton, but it seems being blinded by hatred of Clinton has a way of blocking out everything else.
Clinton made a wise choice in Kaine all the way around, and it is further evidence of her political skill.
She wants someone who will not challenge her and will not upstage her. So she chose a boring guy who supports the TPP and further bank deregulation. This is disappointing. It is like she is happily pushing the boundaries of which Sanders supporters will support her. A dangerous game.
26
WE will challenge her and upstage her by voting her out.
1
Yes, now Jill will get this sample's vote.
1
@Anne,
Yep. Unless she feels most or all are unnecessary.
7-23-16@1:04 am
Yep. Unless she feels most or all are unnecessary.
7-23-16@1:04 am
This is a Wall Street ticket. I'm disappointed.
39
If that's the case then expect to be continuously disappointed.
too bad.
too bad.
Don't worry...You're in CANADA!!!
Thanks, person from Canada - you already gave us Ted Cruz, William Shatner and Justin Bieber, we already have guff, bluff and fluff enough from you. And "Wall Street" is not a negative - who do you think funds the campaigns? Yep, those guys do. And guess what - they are NOT funding Trump. It costs billions to run for president of the US, so - yeah for the Wall Street, yeah!
He's a very solid choice for her, which will help in the white male demographic.
20
Well as someone who went for Obama twice and still loves him (despite his foreign policy failings), this is it.
I can't vote for these two, both of who supported NAFTA and getting ripped off.
Too bad Sanders didn't get the nomination. But he never had a chance - the system was rigged with superdelegates. I'm going for Trump.
I can't vote for these two, both of who supported NAFTA and getting ripped off.
Too bad Sanders didn't get the nomination. But he never had a chance - the system was rigged with superdelegates. I'm going for Trump.
39
Anyone who votes for Trump never loved Obama.
If it were that simple for you to vote for Trump you never really were with the Dems in the first place.
Going from Sanders to Trump? Sorry, that decision is irrational and just plain nuts.
Wow. The Dems are doing everything in their power to lose this race. Did they not learn anything from Romney/Ryan??? They've picked worse and worser in a year that should be theirs to win. I'm just smh over here.. And getting ready for four years of Trump....
28
I've heard him speak and have followed him.
A decent person with government experience that does not mention the word hate.
Welcome to the campaign trail. A great pick.
A decent person with government experience that does not mention the word hate.
Welcome to the campaign trail. A great pick.
70
I can see there are a lot of angry, bruised Bernie supporters spewing their negativity once again. I'm thrilled with her VP pick - go HRC!! If she and he are what you call "status quo," i'm all for it!
51
Not only is Hillary Clinton getting bad advice on how to win this election - she is acting on it!
34
Those of us who would seek to re-strengthen the middle class and seek peace through Bernie Sanders program are rendered insignificant by the elite Hillary and Tim Wall Street and war hawk crowd.
50
We're all insignificant ant in the face of a proto-fascist named Trump who, with a Republican House and Senate would turn this country into a living hell for African Americans, immigrants and anyone else who displeases him.
If you want to make a difference, work to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. You'll be glad you did.
If you want to make a difference, work to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. You'll be glad you did.
18
Kaine was a fair housing attorney and worked in Latin America as a missionary. The NRA hates him. He may not be your beloved Sanders, but Pence he is not.
I think Hillary Clinton made a good choice in picking Sen. Kaine. He is a popular Senator from a swing state with a Democrat Governor so the party wont lose a vote in the Senate if Kaine is elected V P. I watched Hillary's rally today and thought she gave a good speech commenting on the recent televised RNC. She was relaxed, focused , and poised. I thought her closing line was great: "Love Trumps hate."
39
A better one would be "Hate Loves Trump."
I remember when Tim Kaine was the chair of the DNC and he appeared on The Daily Show before the 2010 midterm elections. He was convinced that the Democrats would pick up seats, only to be taken over by the Tea Party. I will proudly vote for Hillary Clinton after last week's fascist fest in Cleavleand. But Tim Kaine sure as hell doesn't give me much confidence that Hillary knows what she's up against.
12
I walked the streets knocking on doors, I manned the phones calling on prospective voters, I licked stamps and envelopes to get people to the 2010 midterms.
You people didn't show up. FDR in his first midterm election got a filibuster proof Congress, and with the power the American voter gave him he changed the American political landscape forever. In Obama's first midterm we gave him the tea party. And again in 2014 we abandoned him, the GOP got the Senate and picked more seats in the House.
With time America will realize that we have squandered our best opportunity to turn back the toxic GOP. But we didn't. Thanks for nothing.
You people didn't show up. FDR in his first midterm election got a filibuster proof Congress, and with the power the American voter gave him he changed the American political landscape forever. In Obama's first midterm we gave him the tea party. And again in 2014 we abandoned him, the GOP got the Senate and picked more seats in the House.
With time America will realize that we have squandered our best opportunity to turn back the toxic GOP. But we didn't. Thanks for nothing.
1
Can someone here articulate for me why being boring, polite and grounded is bad for the country these days? This is not a selection for a reality TV show star (perhaps for the other side, yes).
75
Because our voting age citizenry is made up of millions of people for whom boring, polite and grounded will not generate very much attention. Elizabeth Warren is polite and grounded, but she's anything but boring.
I can articulate that for you.
Hillary also is "boring, polite and grounded." Many Democrats hoped the ticket wouldn't have two people like that. Now it does.
Being myself a Harvard Law School graduate, I'm at least pleased that Clinton (a Yalie) has implicitly acknowledged that she needs someone from Harvard. But the fact remains that Kaine is "more of the same." I doubt it will matter as much as many commenters seem to think it will, and I believe nearly all of those who say (and may actually believe) they'll vote for Stein will actually vote for Hillary, and I acknowledge that Hillary would have been criticized no matter whom she picked. Even so, the choice of Kaine won't help Hillary. I'd say the odds just went up for Trump.
Hillary also is "boring, polite and grounded." Many Democrats hoped the ticket wouldn't have two people like that. Now it does.
Being myself a Harvard Law School graduate, I'm at least pleased that Clinton (a Yalie) has implicitly acknowledged that she needs someone from Harvard. But the fact remains that Kaine is "more of the same." I doubt it will matter as much as many commenters seem to think it will, and I believe nearly all of those who say (and may actually believe) they'll vote for Stein will actually vote for Hillary, and I acknowledge that Hillary would have been criticized no matter whom she picked. Even so, the choice of Kaine won't help Hillary. I'd say the odds just went up for Trump.
I can. Americans want the equivalent of car chases and explosions in their politics. They don't really know what is going on, but they want entertainment. Policy is boring. Name calling is exciting! Such is the numbed electorate.
I would be curious to know if Clinton and her team considered any of the Democratic U.S. Senators who voted against the Iraq Resolution in October 2002. A few of them are alive, well, and younger than Clinton: Ron Wyden, Patty Murray, Debbie Stabenow, Russ Feingold to name a few. It's a sad commentary on American politics that those 21 Senators who were absolutely on the right side of history are viewed as virtually radioactive insofar as helping to win a presidential election is concerned.
24
A lot of the more progressive Senators are from states with Republican governors and if the Democrats take the Senate, Murry would be in line for a leadership position.
Even if Hillary chose one of the above, she's going to focus on the things that she thinks are important, the VP is there for support and as a sounding lard but it's Clinton who makes policy, which is her right.
Even if Hillary chose one of the above, she's going to focus on the things that she thinks are important, the VP is there for support and as a sounding lard but it's Clinton who makes policy, which is her right.
4
It's not about her icing them out. It's about basic arithmetic in the Senate. If HC took someone like Warren from the Senate, that seat may go to a Republican.
Kaine is a safe choice, as his Senate seat will be filled by someone appointed by a Democratic governor. Feingold has a good chance of regaining his Senate seat, so it would be not smart to pull him from that race.
Kaine is a safe choice, as his Senate seat will be filled by someone appointed by a Democratic governor. Feingold has a good chance of regaining his Senate seat, so it would be not smart to pull him from that race.
108
Hello-- perhaps maybe those Senators are needed in the Senate?
2
Right now, I don't care what Hillary decide who will run for VP with her, or what policies she will focus, , how she wants to do. I don't care. I ONLY care about her campaign managers work very hard to do the best , to destroy Trump machine VERY IMPORTANT . We can NOT have this buffoon close to the White House.
80
Republicans across the land are deserting Trump. While personally I wanted Warren, she has work to do in the Senate. I trust Hillary on a number of Democratic issues, but she is way too inclined to go to the middle on climate, not realize how urgent it is, for example fracking is *not* clean energy, which I think is dangerous. The TPP is tricky because other advantages are outweighed by giving corporations standing over governments (witness the Keystone people suing us for lost profits, billions, under NAFTA).
As for polls, we might have an idea what's up by September. This week is certainly not a good indicator, and if Trump hadn't made such a horrible spectacle of himself, his bump would be bigger.
And those supposed Berniebusters? A lot of them are plants. Beware! Use your noggin.
As for polls, we might have an idea what's up by September. This week is certainly not a good indicator, and if Trump hadn't made such a horrible spectacle of himself, his bump would be bigger.
And those supposed Berniebusters? A lot of them are plants. Beware! Use your noggin.
38
Here's a plant: Bernie's dead, Hillary is evil, and Trump gets my vote!
Your hope! All of the Republicans I know are rooting for Trum,p.It's the disappointed Bernie supporters who have recently learned the fix was in for Hilliary even before the primaries began that are not supporting Hilliary.. Who can support a liar? Just remember some of the whoppers she has told.
She and Bill were broke when they left the White House..
She was under sniper fire in Bosnia
It was a vast right wing conspiracy that attacked her husband;s sexual advances...Monica Lewinski lied... Chelsea jogged around the World Trade Center during 911.. She was instramental in the Northern Ireland issue...
She and Bill were broke when they left the White House..
She was under sniper fire in Bosnia
It was a vast right wing conspiracy that attacked her husband;s sexual advances...Monica Lewinski lied... Chelsea jogged around the World Trade Center during 911.. She was instramental in the Northern Ireland issue...
1
@Susan Anderson,
I found out about Hillary's Ernest Borgnine quasi-look a like pick a few hours ago. Well, I guess that means no Liz, no Bernie, etc. I agree w/you about fracking. That's why I've been volunteering for Food & Water Watch and will be in the March for Clean Energy in Philly on Sunday before the convention. Via their website and other good people I know, I'm learning about how the TPP could and would affect our Mother Earth, etc. I understand that Kaine's a mixed bag when it comes to abortion. Oh dear. ...
Do I gather you mean Repubs when you say plants? It would be interesting to know how you've come to that conclusion. I know quite a few Bernie supporters (including a delegate, a fellow marcher, and a platform member). To the best of my knowledge, they've not refused Hillary for Nov. The Berniebusters I know aren't plants. I can promise you that. They don't read the NYT because they don't trust it. Period. They prefer non-corporate media. They've got great noggins and they use them. ; )
7-23-16@12:24 am
I found out about Hillary's Ernest Borgnine quasi-look a like pick a few hours ago. Well, I guess that means no Liz, no Bernie, etc. I agree w/you about fracking. That's why I've been volunteering for Food & Water Watch and will be in the March for Clean Energy in Philly on Sunday before the convention. Via their website and other good people I know, I'm learning about how the TPP could and would affect our Mother Earth, etc. I understand that Kaine's a mixed bag when it comes to abortion. Oh dear. ...
Do I gather you mean Repubs when you say plants? It would be interesting to know how you've come to that conclusion. I know quite a few Bernie supporters (including a delegate, a fellow marcher, and a platform member). To the best of my knowledge, they've not refused Hillary for Nov. The Berniebusters I know aren't plants. I can promise you that. They don't read the NYT because they don't trust it. Period. They prefer non-corporate media. They've got great noggins and they use them. ; )
7-23-16@12:24 am
This is a Demographics Strategy choice, not a people pleaser.
The first rule in politics is give them what they want.
We wanted a fighter after being fought.
The first rule in politics is give them what they want.
We wanted a fighter after being fought.
7
The first rule of politics is to win. HC's selection of Kaine gets her closer to being able to appoint Supreme Court justices and protect the rights of ALL Americans down the road.
It's a smart pic. The Electoral College votes are the only votes that truly count in presidential elections, and Kaine improves those odds.
The American electorate is like a bell curve, with the vast majority of Americans somewhere in the middle, bookended by the left and right wings. It's the middle that elects presidents.
It's a smart pic. The Electoral College votes are the only votes that truly count in presidential elections, and Kaine improves those odds.
The American electorate is like a bell curve, with the vast majority of Americans somewhere in the middle, bookended by the left and right wings. It's the middle that elects presidents.
Big yawn!
Therein lies the issue with Hilary. Always calculating. Never stepping outside the box.
She should have chosen Mark Cuban. That would have put her over the top.
Now it's gonna be a toss up.
I am picking the least worse choice in this election. I'm with her, because Trump, despite his pitch, is not for me.
ughhhh...
Therein lies the issue with Hilary. Always calculating. Never stepping outside the box.
She should have chosen Mark Cuban. That would have put her over the top.
Now it's gonna be a toss up.
I am picking the least worse choice in this election. I'm with her, because Trump, despite his pitch, is not for me.
ughhhh...
18
Mark Cuban? Really?
3
Just for you, Mark Cuban, most people have never heard of him nor was he even mentioned anywhere as even being considered. Another lame business man?
I'm not excited, but at least she didn't pick the military guy. When I saw him on a recent shortlist, I felt my first real Hillary revulsion.
15
Hillary is the military guy.
4
Look up some info on the Admiral. He's a pretty interesting guy. A writer and a reader. Not a warmonger.
1
Who needs a general on the ticket when you've got Hillary.
1
Superb choice! I feel safer already because he is intelligent, not a wackadoodle creationist, and a former missionary. He was educated by the liberal Jesuits, and is fluent in Spanish. He is a policy wonk, and knows what is going on across the globe. He is affable, loyal, and honorable. The VP has to be qualified for the Presidency, and Senator Kaine. is more than capable.
What a relief! Thank you, Hillary. Well done!!!!!!!
What a relief! Thank you, Hillary. Well done!!!!!!!
128
@M,
Wackadoodle creationist? Ha! Regardless of how I feel about Hillary's choice and what I'm learning about him pros/cons, I like the way you put that. You've given me a good laugh after a long migraine laden day.
I didn't read the prior NYT piece about Trump's choice taking the burden off Clinton to find someone truly liberal-progressive. I guess her selection has borne this out.
7-23-16@12:36 am
Wackadoodle creationist? Ha! Regardless of how I feel about Hillary's choice and what I'm learning about him pros/cons, I like the way you put that. You've given me a good laugh after a long migraine laden day.
I didn't read the prior NYT piece about Trump's choice taking the burden off Clinton to find someone truly liberal-progressive. I guess her selection has borne this out.
7-23-16@12:36 am
Biden redux....and I'm absolutely fine with that. He's a good, principled man with a terrific resume/reputation and family. I know some would have wished a "sexier" choice, but Kaine is a strong choice, given the parameters of this election.
120
Trump is a marketing expert. He has already adopted marketing language to attract disgruntled Bernie fans. Don't be fooled. Every time you repeat a Republican insult, you are doing their work for them.
50
@Susan Anderson,
For a while I've felt what seems to be strong contempt for and suspicion of Bernie's supporters. What do you mean by Republican insults? Would you please give at least one example of what you mean?
7-23-16@12:39 am
For a while I've felt what seems to be strong contempt for and suspicion of Bernie's supporters. What do you mean by Republican insults? Would you please give at least one example of what you mean?
7-23-16@12:39 am
2
Susan,
Got it. Don't criticize. Fall in line and only listen to the Pantsuit Propaganda.
Herr leader must only be praised.
Welcome to American't. Anderson style.
Got it. Don't criticize. Fall in line and only listen to the Pantsuit Propaganda.
Herr leader must only be praised.
Welcome to American't. Anderson style.
1
For a brief moment, if Hillary had picked Warren or someone "liberal" there might still have been a fighting chance she could pull this off. What happened is actually what was expected and she sold out to the moneyed interests taking the guy thats also in bed with Wall St.
What Democrat liberals need to do is spend this weekend thinking clearly about who they are and what they want in their future. You need to understand that while you are likely repulsed by Trump, Clinton and her black cloud of mayhem are much, much worse for you. That's the reality and I respect if you're still in denial over this. It's not easy.