Tim Kaine for VP: Responses from across the spectrum

The responses are coming in from across the political spectrum on the selection of Tim Kaine as the running mate for presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

First, from Mark Warner, a fellow U.S. senator and fellow former Virginia governor.

“I enthusiastically applaud Secretary Clinton’s choice. Without reservation, I can say there is no one of higher integrity and trustworthiness,” said Warner, who was elected governor in 2001, with Kaine on the ticket as the lieutenant governor.

“I first met Tim Kaine in law school 37 years ago, and our paths crossed years later in Virginia politics.  Whether serving as mayor of Richmond, Virginia’s lieutenant governor, governor, and now as U.S. senator, Tim has always shown a commitment to serving others,” Warner said.

“He always finds reasons for hope and optimism in every situation, and he is centered by his faith and his family. Our country, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, will be very well-served by electing Tim Kaine as vice president,” Warner said.

Next, to current Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a long-time close confidante of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

“I am thrilled to congratulate my friend Sen. Tim Kaine on his selection to join the Democratic ticket with Hillary Clinton,” McAuliffe said. “As a mayor, lieutenant governor, governor and United States senator, Tim Kaine has demonstrated that he is the right choice to help lead our country forward as vice president of the United State. His experience, intellect and dedication to making life better for people from all walks of life will make him an enormous asset to Secretary Clinton throughout the remainder of this campaign and as a leader in her administration over the next four years. This is a proud day for every Virginian.”

Even Bill Howell, the Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates in Virginia, offered words of praise, sorta, kinda.

“Sen. Tim Kaine is an honorable public servant. Even though we disagree on policy and principle, I respect him,” Howell said. “His character makes it all the more surprising that he would sign up to defend Hillary Clinton for the next three and a half months.  However, Sen. Kaine’s selection as the Vice presidential nominee does not change that this election is ultimately a referendum on Secretary Clinton. Virginians will cast their vote based on her record as Secretary of State, objectionable character, and far-left agenda.”

That’s how Republicans are spinning it, anyway. Kaine has won three statewide elections dating back to 2001, and Virginia has gone Democratic in the last two presidential cycles, in 2008 and 2012, after having gone Republican dating back to 1968 prior to the successful campaigns of Barack Obama.

Kaine, expected to appear with Clinton in Florida on Saturday for a formal announcement of his candidacy, has already hit the ground running with his first campaign fundraising email.

“Hillary Clinton just asked me to become the newest member of her campaign team. I immediately accepted – because I know that, as Americans, we are stronger together. And I’m committed to doing everything in my power to stop Donald Trump and instead work to deliver economic opportunity for everyone in this country. The only way we’re going to be able to defeat the hateful rhetoric coming from the opposition is if we can mobilize millions of Americans to come together and move our country forward,” Kaine said in the email.

“We can’t afford an America where we build walls instead of bridges,” Kaine said. “We can’t afford an America where we pit people against each other instead of bringing them together. And we definitely can’t afford an America where our leaders stoke our worst fears – blaming entire groups of people to score political points and win elections – instead of working constructively to make our country a better place.”