US: Hillary Clinton chooses Tim Kaine as running mate

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton announced Friday that she has selected Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine to be her vice presidential running mate.

"I'm thrilled to announce my running mate, @TimKaine, a man who's devoted his life to fighting for others. -H," the former top diplomat wrote on Twitter, later posting the same message in Spanish on the social media site.

Clinton will hold a campaign rally Saturday in Miami, Florida, where she will formally introduce the centrist senator in their first public appearance.

"Can’t wait to hit the trail tomorrow in Miami!" Kaine tweeted. "I’m honored to be her running mate."

Kaine is also a former governor of the vital battleground state, and that may be crucial in what several polls have shown to be a dead heat race for the White House.

He went to Harvard Law School, but before graduating went on a missionary trip to Honduras -- an experience he had regularly cited during his political career.

The Virginia senator is fluent in Spanish, which may help to sway a growing Hispanic voter base, and he has served on the Senate foreign relations and armed services committees.

Friday's announcement comes on the heels of the Republican National Convention where for four days the GOP shined the national spotlight on their nominee, Donald Trump.

Just minutes after the announcement, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus wrote on Twitter that Clinton's choice to run with Kaine "does nothing to unify a fractured Democrat base repelled by her dishonesty & cronyism".

Clinton continues to be dogged by allegations of impropriety relating to her use of a private email server during her time as Secretary of State.

She is expected to formally accept her party's nomination next week during the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.