Clinton Picks Tim Kaine

It's Tim Kaine. Hillary Clinton says in a text message to supporters that she's picked the Virginia senator to join her on the Democratic ticket as her running mate, reports AP. In the message, Clinton says: "I'm thrilled to tell you this first: I've chosen Sen. Tim Kaine as my running mate." Kaine, 58, is expected to join Clinton at a rally in Florida on Saturday. A favorite since the start of Clinton's search for a running mate, Kaine is a former governor of the battleground state and former mayor of Richmond. Kaine won election to the Senate four years ago after serving as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He is not, however, Mr. Charisma. Kaine has referred to himself as "boring," a trait that Clinton acknowledged with a laugh last week in a PBS interview: "I love that about him."

Some quick reaction:

• Washington Post: The pick completes "a Democratic ticket that prizes experience and traditional notions of public service in a political year dominated by Republican rival Donald Trump’s unorthodox, highly personal brand of leadership."
• Politico: "He was considered a safe but boring pick. Kaine serves on the Armed Services and Foreign Relations panels in the Senate and is the type of candidate who is unlikely to hurt the ticket with controversial stands or painful gaffes."
• The Hill: "Clinton insiders say Kaine was selected foremost because he has the qualifications necessary for the job, particularly when it comes to national security experience. Clinton wanted someone with a thick national security portfolio, and Kaine holds seats on the Senate Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations committees."
  

(More Tim Kaine stories.)