‘Love. Trumps. Hate’
Clinton names Virginia senator running mate; blasts Trump in Florida speech
Hillary Clinton has named Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her vice-presidential running mate, adding a centrist former governor of a crucial battleground state to the Democratic ticket.
In a text message to supporters late Friday night, the presumptive Democratic nominee said, “I’m thrilled to tell you this first: I’ve chosen Sen. Tim Kaine as my running mate.”
On Twitter a few seconds later, Clinton described Kaine as “a man who’s devoted his life to fighting for others.” She called him “a relentless optimist who believes no problem is unsolvable if you put in the work to solve it.”
Kaine, 58, had long been a favourite for Clinton’s ticket. Fluent in Spanish and active in the Senate on foreign relations and military affairs, he built a reputation for working across the aisle as Virginia’s governor and as mayor of Richmond.
Earlier in Florida, Clinton picked apart and sharply criticized Donald Trump’s convention speech, which she said put his “dark and divisive vision” for the country on full display.
Clinton noted that convention speaker after convention speaker fixated on her, which she called “perversely flattering.” And she said it was Republican Sen. Ted Cruz who said it best in his convention speech on Wednesday night: “Vote your conscience.”
“Something has gone terribly wrong when one speaker says vote your conscience and gets booed,” Clinton said. “I never thought I’d say these words, but Ted Cruz was right!”
The event in Tampa, a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds, was attended by more than 3,600 people. Clinton laid into Trump, focusing much of her remarks on his claim that he “alone” can solve America’s problems.
“I was pretty shocked,” Clinton said. “Just think about that for a minute ... His vision of America is one where we Americans are kind of helpless, we need to be rescued — I can’t really imagine him on a white horse, but it seems to be what he’s telling us: ‘I alone can fix it.’”
Point-by-point, Clinton rebutted Trump’s speech, including his claims to “speak” for America.
“He doesn’t speak for immigrants, he only speaks against immigrants,” Clinton said.
“He doesn’t speak for people with disabilities.
“He doesn’t speak for our military, which he has insulted consistently, and in particular prisoners of war who sacrificed much of their life because of their service.
“And contrary to what they say at their convention, I don’t think he speaks for women.”
“I don’t think he speaks for working families who would be devastated by his reckless policies.
“He doesn’t speak for anyone who thinks our country should be standing together and not splintering apart.
“He sure doesn’t speak for me because I know we are stronger together!”
She promised that beginning on Monday in Philadelphia, when Democrats host their own convention, the country will see a different vision.
“The last thing we need is somebody running for president who talks trash about America,” Clinton said.
“Here’s what I want you to remember. My last thought for you today, just remember Love. Trumps. Hate.”
I never thought I’d say these words, but Ted Cruz was right! HILLARY CLINTON Democratic presidential candidate