Kaine's Many Attacks Fail To Get Trump's Attention

[DonViejo]

BY ALAN SUDERMAN AND KATHLEEN RONAYNE
ASSOCIATED PRESS

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Donald Trump hasn't let many insults slide this campaign season - except when they come from Hillary Clinton's running mate.

The Republican presidential nominee has all but ignored the constant barrage of attacks from Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who has assumed the traditional attack-dog role of a vice presidential candidate with gusto, but little notice.

It could be a sign of a newfound discipline by Trump. Or it could that Kaine's attacks don't rise above the din of the daily news cycle. Or, perhaps, that Trump just doesn't care.

In recent weeks, Kaine has asserted Trump has a "bizarre fascination" with dictators and Vladimir Putin, said he "choked" during his trip to Mexico and even associated Trump's values with those of the Ku Klux Klan. Criticizing Trump as unfit to be president has become a central theme of Kaine's public remarks as he works to show the Democratic ticket as more qualified to run the country. In an attempt to paint Trump as reckless, Kaine often repeats Clinton's line that Trump is a candidate you can "bait with a Tweet."

-snip-

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAMPAIGN_2016_KAINE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-09-13-03-28-04

[metroins]

1. I wish we could get a redo on VP picks

It's going to be tough to compare to Uncle Joe and I don't see Kaine anywhere near as strong.

I wasn't for Hillary choosing EW, but looking back now I can imagine she'd be much more effective.

On a positive note, Pence was a pretty bad choice himself. The guy is so boring.

[radius777]

4. Kaine is very effective, in an understated way

which works with moderate swing voters in places like VA, NC, CO, OH, PA.

I've seen him on several shows, and he's sharp and effective with his comebacks, and clearly knows what he is doing.

Trump, IMO, is ignoring Kaine precisely for this reason, that Kaine has the image of the classic good guy father, and getting into it with him won't help Trump in the aforementioned swing states (especially VA, Kaine's home state).

IMO, Warren is not appealing at all to anyone outside of the white progressive base. I've talked to several people (both men and women, young and old) who I would consider moderates or apolitical, and they don't like her at all. You could say it is sexism, but they think she's strident and harsh, and don't like her, it's a visceral reaction. PoC don't really care for her either way.

Kaine is also very qualified for the job of President, if need be. The last thing (especially with these health conspiracies, and her age) Hillary needed needed was concerns about someone with a light resume "one heartbeat away from the presidency". The media would've had a field day with it. It's better the VP choice fade into the background than be the subject of controversy (such as Quayle or Palin) about the pick.

[metroins]

6. He is definitely qualified

But not my kind of personality and I don't view him as a tough talker when dealing with foreign relations.

I'm going to miss Joe.

[FSogol]

7. Great analysis. Welcome to DU. n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. They're not for Trump

How's Trump doing in Virginia, by the way?

[Nonhlanhla]

3. I wish the media would pay more attention to Kaine

I like him very, very much, and I would love to see more of him on TV.

[FSogol]

8. +1 n/t

[OnDoutside]

9. This is Hillary v Trump, but even still Kaine is a far superior candidate than Pence. He's a good

pick.

[beachbum bob]

5. if you want to get under trump's thin skin, the attacks must be made by a woman....

kaine shouldn't let up but he needs to attack conservative doctrine and hammer home their intent to destroy social security, medicare and medicaid......liz warren should lead direct criticism of trump


he can't take female criticisms