Why is Kaine considered so likely, a candidate for VP?

[Beet]

Given the leaked version of Trump's speech tonight, he's attacking Clinton for being establishment. Doesn't she need someone who's perceived as anti-establishment, or at least a little colorful, like Franken? Literally the only good things I've heard about him are that he speaks Spanish and he's a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Even Bernie would be a better pick than Kaine.

[Devout Centrist]

Given the leaked version of Trump's speech tonight, he's attacking Clinton for being establishment. Doesn't she need someone who's perceived as anti-establishment, or at least a little colorful, like Franken? Literally the only good things I've heard about him are that he speaks Spanish and he's a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Even Bernie would be a better pick than Kaine.

He's a governor from a swing state with a solid working relationship with Clinton. He also won't overshadow her.

He wouldn't be my choice, but I can see why she'd choose him.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Because the right-wing media wants him.

[cinyc]

Given the leaked version of Trump's speech tonight, he's attacking Clinton for being establishment. Doesn't she need someone who's perceived as anti-establishment, or at least a little colorful, like Franken? Literally the only good things I've heard about him are that he speaks Spanish and he's a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Even Bernie would be a better pick than Kaine.

Who would not be part of the establishment?  All Democratic governors and Senators are by definition part of the establishment.  Obama cabinet secretaries are part of the establishment.  Franken is establishment.  Even Warren is part of the establishment.  It's not like Hillary is going to pick a businessman as veep.

What Clinton should be more worried about is the optics of holding a convention with a long list of boring, bloviating politicians speaking.  The list of DNC speakers released today is far too lengthy and needlessly full of longtime Democratic politicians.  That will only reinforce Trump's attacks on this matter.

[Beet]

Given the leaked version of Trump's speech tonight, he's attacking Clinton for being establishment. Doesn't she need someone who's perceived as anti-establishment, or at least a little colorful, like Franken? Literally the only good things I've heard about him are that he speaks Spanish and he's a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Even Bernie would be a better pick than Kaine.

Who would not be part of the establishment?  All Democratic governors and Senators are by definition part of the establishment.  Obama cabinet secretaries are part of the establishment.  Franken is establishment.  Even Warren is part of the establishment.  It's not like Hillary is going to pick a businessman as veep.

What Clinton should be more worried about is the optics of holding a convention with a long list of boring, bloviating politicians speaking.  The list of DNC speakers released today is far too lengthy and needlessly full of longtime Democratic politicians.  That will only reinforce Trump's attacks on this matter.

Good point. I have to admit the other top contenders mentioned are even worse than Kaine.

[RaphaelDLG]

Sources close to the campaign say he's a big favorite among those in Clinton World, corroborated by the fact that he's an extremely good pick under a certain logic.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

This really isn't too difficult - he's got decent cred on paper, but Hillary likes and trusts him, which, frankly should be the most important element, outside of being qualified.

[Lincoln Republican]

He's the right age, has a great education, has impressive political credentials and experience, is from a swing state, is fluent in Spanish, and is a male.

He is safe, solid, non controversial, and won't hurt the ticket.

He is believable as someone who could capably assume the Presidency.

He is far and away Clinton's best choice.

[Bigby]

Clinton's probably wanting to play it safe, plain and simple.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Clinton's probably wanting to play it safe, plain and simple.

That just feels like the wrong attitude toward this election. Donald Trump's success partly exists because "playing it safe" is perceived to be what's been happening the past 16 years and what feels like malaise among the general public set in. If there's a time to be bold, it's now.

[Fuzzy Says: "Abolish NPR!"]

If I were Clinton, I'd pick Sen. Jeff Merkley, but I'm sure that won't happen.

[Hermit For Peace]

Clinton's probably wanting to play it safe, plain and simple.

That just feels like the wrong attitude toward this election. Donald Trump's success partly exists because "playing it safe" is perceived to be what's been happening the past 16 years and what feels like malaise among the general public set in. If there's a time to be bold, it's now.

Hillary has said that the top reasons she is picking her VP is because she feels they are qualified to be President "if something should happen", and also she is looking for someone who is compatible with her that she likes to work with. Those are the simple reasons.

Playing it safe is what the Republican voter doesn't want, evidently. The Dems are happy with their party for the most part. That's what I keep reading. The young Bernie followers are a different story, however. Next time around their voice will be louder for sure. Change is always imminent.

[IceSpear]

Clinton's probably wanting to play it safe, plain and simple.

That just feels like the wrong attitude toward this election. Donald Trump's success partly exists because "playing it safe" is perceived to be what's been happening the past 16 years and what feels like malaise among the general public set in. If there's a time to be bold, it's now.

Hillary received far more votes than Trump did.

[Higgs]

Clinton's probably wanting to play it safe, plain and simple.

That just feels like the wrong attitude toward this election. Donald Trump's success partly exists because "playing it safe" is perceived to be what's been happening the past 16 years and what feels like malaise among the general public set in. If there's a time to be bold, it's now.

Hillary received far more votes than Trump did.

1. Trump had far more opponents
2. The Democratic race stayed heated much longer than the Republican race

[IceSpear]

Clinton's probably wanting to play it safe, plain and simple.

That just feels like the wrong attitude toward this election. Donald Trump's success partly exists because "playing it safe" is perceived to be what's been happening the past 16 years and what feels like malaise among the general public set in. If there's a time to be bold, it's now.

Hillary received far more votes than Trump did.

1. Trump had far more opponents
2. The Democratic race stayed heated much longer than the Republican race

True, but you're missing the point. You can't make broad generalizations about the "mood of the public" based off the <10% of eligible voters that cast a vote for Trump.

[Deblano]

Because the right-wing media wants him.

LMFAO
M
F
A
O

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Clinton's probably wanting to play it safe, plain and simple.

That just feels like the wrong attitude toward this election. Donald Trump's success partly exists because "playing it safe" is perceived to be what's been happening the past 16 years and what feels like malaise among the general public set in. If there's a time to be bold, it's now.

Hillary received far more votes than Trump did.

1. Trump had far more opponents
2. The Democratic race stayed heated much longer than the Republican race

True, but you're missing the point. You can't make broad generalizations about the "mood of the public" based off the <10% of eligible voters that cast a vote for Trump.

Trump is just an example of a wider phenomenon. Remember that 10 years ago the word socialist was anathema to both parties and now voters in one of them wouldn't mind one becoming president. There are tangible changes to the way people feel about how politics should be approached that is taking longer to set in with the political class. Whether its a Tocqueville effect or something else I'm not sure but I'd like to see a wider acknowledgement of that from the Democratic candidate.

[DINGO Joe]

This really isn't too difficult - he's got decent cred on paper, but Hillary likes and trusts him, which, frankly should be the most important element, outside of being qualified.

[Ogre Mage]

Given the leaked version of Trump's speech tonight, he's attacking Clinton for being establishment. Doesn't she need someone who's perceived as anti-establishment, or at least a little colorful, like Franken? Literally the only good things I've heard about him are that he speaks Spanish and he's a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Even Bernie would be a better pick than Kaine.

Making a running mate selection based on a knee-jerk reaction to Donald Trump's attacks is foolish and not something I think Clinton would do.  She needs to consider who would best help her govern as President, with a secondary eye toward electoral concerns.  

Others have stated that Clinton is most concerned with someone who is most ready to step in as president if something should happen to her.  Kaine is a U.S. Senator (statewide federal experience) and former governor (statewide executive experience) of a major swing state.  He's also a former mayor (municipal-level executive experience) and DNC chair (Democratic party connections).  He sits on both the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees in the Senate (foreign policy credentials).  He's also a former lieutenant governor, so he even has experience being a No. 2.

Also, it appears Kaine is the choice of Democratic Party insiders.  Clinton is part and parcel of the Democratic Establishment, I think she is likely to go with the party consensus.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/tim-kaine-hillary-clinton-vp-insiders-225634  

[Seriously?]

1) Virginia.
2) Let's be honest: this election is about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Two big personalities.

Whomever the VP pick of the Democrats is, they will be likely overshadowed by Clinton, like Pence will be overshadowed by Trump.

Except if she goes with Princess Lie-a-watha of the Harvard faculty tribe, but somehow I doubt she will.

[dspNY]

Kaine was a governor
Kaine is a senator
Kaine does foreign policy
Kaine speaks fluent Spanish
Kaine has a southern twang when speaking English

[Mehmentum]

Kaine was a governor
Kaine is a senator
Kaine does foreign policy
Kaine speaks fluent Spanish
Kaine has a southern twang when speaking English

Also:
Kaine's replacement in the Senate would be appointed by a Democratic governor.
Kaine is from a swing state.

[Wiz in Wis]

1) Virginia.
2) Let's be honest: this election is about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Two big personalities.

Whomever the VP pick of the Democrats is, they will be likely overshadowed by Clinton, like Pence will be overshadowed by Trump.

Except if she goes with Princess Lie-a-watha of the Harvard faculty tribe, but somehow I doubt she will.

You are the AT&T of people...

[libertpaulian]

I think it's most likely for optics: to show that BOTH candidates are ready for the job on Day One.  She's hoping people will think "Yes, I'd rather have the former diplomat/senator and governor/senator as opposed to the reality star and his meek governor running mate."

[136or142]

I can only guess that Hillary Clinton thinks that Tim Kaine do it.  (Sorry)  (Tim can do it.  Yes, that 'joke' is so bad I feel I need to explain it.)