Kaine to "pre-endorse" Hillary Clinton…..a shameless bid for VP consideration?

[Mr. Morden]

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/run-2016/2014/05/02/tim-kaine-to-back-hillary-2016

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Kaine endorsed Obama in the 2008 primaries, and such an early endorsement could be read as a move to make amends with Clinton--to put himself in her good graces, so that he'll be considered as an option to be her running mate.

[BaconBacon96]

He might be thinking about the VP slot, but a lot of people have already done this, so it's nothing new.

[Mr. Morden]

He might be thinking about the VP slot, but a lot of people have already done this, so it's nothing new.

Yes, others have done it, but usually not in a prearranged announcement at a high profile event in an early primary state.  Most of the other pre-endorsements have come about in interviews….or quietly, as with the "secret letter" by female Democratic Senators.

[NewYorkExpress]

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/run-2016/2014/05/02/tim-kaine-to-back-hillary-2016

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Kaine endorsed Obama in the 2008 primaries, and such an early endorsement could be read as a move to make amends with Clinton--to put himself in her good graces, so that he'll be considered as an option to be her running mate.

Be realistic, you simply can't make amends with the Clintons, whose egos are only topped, by their penchant for carrying grudges. (I'm pretty sure she still doesn't speak to Claire McCaskill)

[BaconBacon96]

He might be thinking about the VP slot, but a lot of people have already done this, so it's nothing new.

Yes, others have done it, but usually not in a prearranged announcement at a high profile event in an early primary state.  Most of the other pre-endorsements have come about in interviews….or quietly, as with the "secret letter" by female Democratic Senators.

Chuck Schumer did in a speech in Iowa.

[Mister Mets]

It's one way to show that he can be a good surrogate. Not sure if it'll do him much good, but he would be an excellent running mate.

From the Upsides and Downsides of Tim Kaine as VP thread...

Upsides
- Has executive experience as a former big-state Governor.
- Has campaign experience as a former DNC chairperson.
- As a former Lieutenant Governor and DNC chair, he can make sure he won't overshadow the presidential nominee.
- Is involved in national issues as a Senator. Unlikely to make serious gaffes.
- Used to media scrutiny as national party spokesman, and candidate in high profile election in major media market.
- Comes from a very important swing state (Virginia was closest to the national vote in 2008 and 2012.) Keeps winning elections there.
- Fluent in Spanish.
- Under sixty. Not too old for Hillary Clinton. Not too young for Kirsten Gilibrand.
-  His diverse experience means he's ready to be President on day one, but that there isn't any one item on his resume to make a Democratic nominee seem puny in comparison.
- Decent Democratic bench in the state ready for a sudden Senate vacancy.
- Handled himself well in a campaign against a man once seen as a potential President. This suggests he'd do well in a VP debate.

Downsides
- Has held political office since 1994.
- Virginia's essentially part of the Acela corridor now.
- Not exciting.
- A man with greater political gifts has a similar background, and helps more in Virginia.

He was the first Governor to back Obama in the 2008 primary, so he might have earned the enmity of the Clintons. It's likely to be a non-issue. If Obama is unpopular, his other offices suggest he won't be dragged down by association, any more than any other Democrat.

I don't think the pre-endorsement is good for the party.

If Clinton chooses Kaine as her running mate, it allows Republicans to make a narrative about her flaws picking a guy who spent two years sucking up to her.

And if she chooses not to run, this is one more reminder that the eventual Democratic nominee is the second choice of the voters and the establishment.

[CountryClassSF]

Kaine will never get the VP nod from Hillary after his shilling for Obama in 2008.

[Eraserhead]

These people are shameless.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

disappointing.

[Mr. Morden]

*bump*

He's now set to host a fundraiser for the Ready for Hillary PAC:

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/tim-kaine-hillary-clinton-fundraiser-111076.html?hp=r8

Sure, he's not the only one to do this, but most sitting Democratic senators are not making this kind of effort (yet).  This definitely seems like a play to curry favor with Clinton, whether or not it's to become VP.

[IceSpear]

Unlike 2008, Hillary has a near lock on support within the party. Just another reason why it's near impossible for her to lose the primary this time around.

[Mr. Morden]

*bump*

I guess this worked!

[Blue3]

*bump*

I guess this worked!

Yeah, this is totally why.......