Tim Kaine: Hillary's Reliable Choice?

Daniel R. DePetris

Politics, Americas

He’s got the connections and experience—just no wow factor.

Today, Tim Kaine is the junior senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia—one of one hundred members that comprise the U.S. Senate. In about a month, however, Kaine could very well be Secretary Hillary Clinton's vice-presidential running mate.

Politico and the Washington Post are both reporting that the Clinton campaign is now smack in the middle of vetting candidates for the number-two slot. In addition to Sen. Kaine, the Clinton camp is taking a good, hard look at Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Housing and Development Secretary Julian Castro as possible runningmates—two individuals who would inspire the progressive base of the Democratic Party that helped carry the insurgent campaign of Bernie Sanders towards primary wins in twenty-two states. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Rep. Xavier Bacerra, Sen. Cory Booker, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and Retired Admiral Mike Mullen are names that have also been rumored to be on Secretary Clinton's mind, although none of these individuals have confirmed to the media that they are indeed being considered as vice presidential nominees.

At fifty-eight years of age, Kaine doesn't represent the youthful, progressive, up-and-coming wing of the Democratic Party that became so prevalent this year and large and vocal faction that dominated the conversation during the Democratic primary. He doesn't have the oratory gifts of a Bill Clinton or Barack Obama.

What Tim Kaine does have, however, is a near-universal respect from his colleagues in the Senate; a pragmatic streak that Hillary Clinton could surely appreciate; executive and legislative experience under his belt (Governor of Virginia from 2006–10, Senator from Virginia, 2012-present); and a deep relationship with the Democratic Party (Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, 2009–11).