2016 Democratic Party Vice Presidential Candidate Selection

2016 Democratic vice presidential nomination

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Nominee Tim Kaine Home state Virginia

Previous Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine

This article lists potential candidates for the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States in the 2016 election. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee for President of the United States, chose Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia as her running mate.[1][2] The formal nomination took place at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. The Clinton–Kaine ticket ultimately lost to the Trump–Pence ticket in the general election, and Kaine returned to the Senate following the campaign.

Selection process

[edit]

By April 2016, Clinton had begun discussions with advisers and allies regarding her potential running mate, though Bernie Sanders continued to challenge her in the Democratic primaries.[3] According to campaign sources, Clinton did not have a particular running mate in mind, and did not feel pressured to pick a running mate designed specifically to appeal to Sanders supporters.[3] Clinton's low public approval ratings led many of her allies to recommend that she choose a running mate with the potential to inspire voters, but Clinton's campaign expressed confidence that her ratings would improve once the Republicans had selected a candidate.[3] There was relatively little public discussion about Sanders's running mate selection process.[4] As the 2016 Republican National Convention took place roughly one week before the July 25–28 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic presidential nominee was set to choose her running mate after the Republicans nominated their ticket of Donald Trump and Mike Pence.[3] Clinton's running mate selection process was led by campaign chairman John Podesta and Cheryl Mills,[3][5] while the vetting process was led by attorney James Hamilton.[6] In discussing her potential vice presidential choice, Clinton stated that the most important attribute she was looking for is the ability and experience to immediately step into the role of president.[7] In contrast to previous Democratic presidential nominees, Clinton allowed for a relatively open selection process, holding rallies with many potential running mates and placing little emphasis on keeping her short list confidential.[8]

Announcement

[edit]

On July 22, Clinton announced via Twitter that she had chosen Tim Kaine as her running mate.[2] After the selection, Amy Chozick of The New York Times described Kaine as a "battleground state politician with working-class roots and a fluency in Spanish."[9] Like his Republican counterpart, Mike Pence, Kaine has experience both as a governor and a member of Congress.[10]

If the Clinton-Kaine ticket had won election, Kaine would have resigned from the Senate, with Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe appointing Kaine's replacement prior to a 2017 special election.[10][11] According to journalist Glenn Thrush, Kaine had been the preferred choice of Clinton since at least February 2016.[12]

Reported shortlist

[edit]

The Wall Street Journal reported on June 16, 2016, that Clinton's shortlist included the following nine individuals.[13]

• Representative Xavier Becerra of California
• Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
• Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro of Texas
• Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti of California
• Senator and former Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia
• Secretary of Labor Tom Perez of Maryland
• Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio
• Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

According to a CNN report published on June 21, 2016, Clinton had narrowed down her list to no more than five contenders, including Kaine, Warren, and Castro.[14] However, a separate report in The Washington Post released that same day stated that, while Clinton had begun vetting Kaine, Warren, and Castro, more than a dozen people remained on her list of possible running mates.[15] On July 7, 2016, CNN reported that Clinton had narrowed down her shortlist to five people: Brown, Kaine, Perez, Warren, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. On July 12, 2016, The New York Times confirmed that the Clinton campaign was vetting former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Retired Admiral James G. Stavridis.[16] Clinton also met with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper in mid-July, fueling speculation that he might be chosen as the vice presidential nominee.[7] After Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump named Mike Pence as his running mate on July 15, Kaine and Vilsack emerged as the top two contenders, although other individuals such as Perez remained in contention.[7]

• Governor John Hickenlooperof Colorado[17]
• Retired Admiral and former NATO commander James Stavridisof Florida[16]
• Secretary of AgricultureTom Vilsackof Iowa[18]

WikiLeaks List

[edit]

On October 18, 2016 WikiLeaks released more hacked emails from Clinton Campaign Chair John Podesta. One of these emails Podesta sent Clinton was a "first cut of people to consider for VP" in March 2016. He wrote that this list had been generated with other top aides. Podesta organized the list of 39 contenders into what he called "food groups" apparently based around identities — Latinos, women, African-Americans, military brass, and business leaders.[19]

• Retired U.S. Marine Corps GeneralJohn Allen
• Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin
• General Motors CEOMary Barraof Michigan
• Representative Xavier Becerra of California
• Mayor of Columbia Stephen Benjamin of South Carolina
• Senator Michael Bennetof Colorado
• Former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg of New York
• Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
• Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio
• Secretary of Housing and Urban DevelopmentJulián Castro of Texas
• Apple CEOTim Cookof California
• Secretary of TransportationAnthony Foxx of North Carolina
• Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti of California
• Former CEO and founder of Microsoft Bill Gatesof Washington
• Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Melinda Gatesof Washington
• Senator Kirsten Gillibrandof New York
• Mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum of Florida
• Senator Martin Heinrichof New Mexico
• Former Attorney General Eric Holder of New York
• Senator and former Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia
• CEO of The Coca-Cola Company Muhtar Kentof Georgia
• Senator Amy Klobucharof Minnesota
• Governor Terry McAuliffeof Virginia
• Senator Claire McCaskillof Missouri
• Retired U.S. Navy Admiral and chancellor of The University of TexasBill McRaven
• Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffMichael Mullen
• Senator Chris Murphyof Connecticut
• President of The Rockefeller Foundation Judith Rodinof Pennsylvania
• Former Governor Deval Patrickof Massachusetts
• Secretary of Labor Tom Perez of Maryland
• Mayor of Atlanta Kasim Reed of Georgia
• Former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar of Colorado
• Senator and 2016 presidential candidateBernie Sandersof Vermont
• CEO of Starbucks Howard Schultzof Washington
• Senator Jeanne Shaheenof New Hampshire
• Senator Debbie Stabenowof Michigan
• Secretary of AgricultureTom Vilsack of Iowa
• Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

Other speculated candidates

[edit]

The following individuals received coverage as potential running mates from multiple news sources. These individuals do not appear on the short list above or on the Wikileaks list.

Cabinet members

[edit]

• Former Secretary of Commerce Gary Lockeof Washington (2009–2011)[20]
• Former Secretary of Homeland SecurityJanet Napolitanoof Arizona (2009–2013)[21]

Members of Congress

[edit]

• Former Senator Evan Bayhof Indiana (1999–2011)[22]
• Representative Joaquín Castroof Texas (2013–present)[23]
• Senator Al Frankenof Minnesota (2009–2018)[24]
• Senator Jeff Merkleyof Oregon (2009–present)[25]
• Senator Patty Murrayof Washington (1993–present)[21]
• Senator Bill Nelsonof Florida (2001–2019)[3]
• Senator Mark Warnerof Virginia (2009–present)[26]

Governors

[edit]

• Former Governor Steve Beshearof Kentucky (2007–2015)[26]
• Former Governor and 2016 presidential candidate Martin O'Malleyof Maryland (2007–2015)[26]
• Former Governor Brian Schweitzerof Montana (2005–2013)[26]

Other individual

[edit]

• California Attorney General Kamala Harris[a] of California (2011–2017)[27]

See also

[edit]

• Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign
• 2016 Democratic Party presidential candidates
• 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries
• 2016 Democratic National Convention
• 2016 United States presidential election
• List of United States major party presidential tickets

Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Harris was the vice presidential nominee for the 2020 election, and became Vice President on January 20, 2021.

References

[edit]

1. ^ Kantor, Danielle (July 23, 2016). "8 things you need to know about Tim Kaine, your next vice president". Hillary for America. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
2. ^ a b Memoli, Michael (July 22, 2016). "Hillary Clinton picks Tim Kaine, Virginia senator and former governor, as her running mate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
3. ^ a b c d e f Healy, Patrick (April 23, 2016). "Hillary Clinton's Campaign, Cautious but Confident, Begins Considering Running Mates". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
4. ^ Kelly, Nora (April 23, 2016). "Choosing the Veep of Your Dreams". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
5. ^ Pace, Julie (June 21, 2016). "Hillary Clinton's VP search moves into more intense phase". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
6. ^ Freed, Benjamin. "Meet the DC Lawyer Helping Hillary Clinton Pick a Running Mate", Washingtonian, June 20, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
7. ^ a b c Gearan, Anne (July 19, 2016). "Two names emerge from Clinton's VP deliberations: Kaine and Vilsack". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
8. ^ Arnsdorf, Isaac (July 22, 2016). "Clinton VP hopefuls face public rejection". Politico. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
9. ^ Chozick, Amy (July 22, 2016). "Hillary Clinton Selects Tim Kaine, a Popular Senator From a Swing State, as Running Mate". The New York Times. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
10. ^ a b Gearan, Anne; Wagner, John (July 22, 2016). "Sen. Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia chosen as Hillary Clinton's VP". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
11. ^ McCaskill, Nolan (July 22, 2016). "Clinton picks Kaine as her running mate". Politico. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
12. ^ Thrush, Glenn (July 23, 2016). "5 takeaways on Tim Kaine". Politico. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
13. ^ Matthews, Dylan (June 16, 2016). "Hillary Clinton's VP shortlist has leaked. Here are the pros and cons of each". Vox.com. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
14. ^ Zeleny, Jeff; Merica, Dan (June 21, 2016). "Clinton closing in on running mate search". CNN. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
15. ^ Gearan, Anne; Weigel, David (June 21, 2016). "Clinton is vetting three for vice president — but is still studying a longer list". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
16. ^ a b Parker, Ashley (July 12, 2016). "James Stavridis, Retired Admiral, Is Being Vetted as Hillary Clinton's Running Mate". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
17. ^ Sabato, Larry (May 12, 2016). "The Veepstakes, Part One: Clinton's Choices". University of Virginia. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
18. ^ Zeleny, Jeff; Merica, Dan (July 7, 2016). "Clinton narrowing VP choice, waiting for Trump". CNN. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
19. ^ Seitz-Wald, Alex (October 18, 2016). "Hacked Emails Reveal 39 Names on Clinton's 'First Cut' VP List". NBC News. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
20. ^ Zhang, Mengyuan (July 1, 2016). "希拉里会考虑骆家辉当副手 成为首位华裔副总统吗？("Will Hillary Clinton consider Gary Locke as her assistant to become the first Asian American VP in United States history?")". Sohu News. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
21. ^ a b Cillizza, Chris (April 21, 2016). "Hillary Clinton isn't picking Elizabeth Warren for vice president. Here's why". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
22. ^ Goldstein, Joel (January 7, 2016). "Five Factors That Will Define the Running Mates". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
23. ^ Sullivan, Sean (March 7, 2014). "Handicapping the 2016 vice presidential field. Yes, you read that right". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
24. ^ Scher, Bill (March 27, 2016). "The Case for Vice President Al Franken". Politico. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
25. ^ "Hillary Clinton should choose Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley for vice president: Letters to the Editor". The Oregonian. April 26, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
26. ^ a b c d Wasson, Erik; Cirilli, Kevin (May 31, 2014). "A veep for Hillary Clinton in 2016?". The Hill. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
27. ^ Allen, Mike (January 29, 2015). "Inside Hillary Clinton's 2016 plan". Politico. Retrieved October 4, 2015.

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v t e Hillary Clinton
11th Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast (2020–present) 67th United States Secretary of State (2009–2013) US Senator from New York (2001–2009) First Lady of the United States (1993–2001) First Lady of Arkansas (1979–1981, 1983–1992)
Secretaryof State	Tenure as Secretary Foreign trips Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review Foreign policy of the Obama administration Hillary Doctrine Email controversy UN Security Council Resolution 1888 UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
US senator	Senate career Family Entertainment Protection Act Flag Protection Act of 2005
First Lady	Tenure as First Lady 1993 health care reform Hillaryland Travel office controversy FBI files controversy Clinton plan intelligence conspiracy theory "Vast right-wing conspiracy" Vital Voices Save America's Treasures State Children's Health Insurance Program Adoption and Safe Families Act Foster Care Independence Act White House Millennium Council
Arkansas	Legal career Corporate career Tenures as First Lady of Arkansas Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Rose Law Firm Legal Services Corporation Whitewater controversy Cattle futures controversy
Philanthropic	Clinton Foundation State Department controversy Onward Together
Speechesand policies	Political positions "Women's Rights Are Human Rights" (1995) "Basket of deplorables" (2016)
Writings	Bibliography Senior thesis (1969) It Takes a Village (1996) Dear Socks, Dear Buddy (1998) An Invitation to the White House (2000) Living History (2003) Hard Choices (2014) Stronger Together (2016) What Happened (2017) The Book of Gutsy Women (2019) State of Terror (2021)
Electoralhistory	Senatorial elections 2000 US Senate election in New York 2006 US Senate election in New York 2008 Democraticpresidential primaries Campaign Endorsements Debates Convention 2016 US presidential election Campaign Endorsements political non-political screen and stage performers other celebrities Democratic primaries debates running mate selection convention Democratic opposition General election debates Hillary Victory Fund
Legacy	Awards and honors Books about Public image Clinton National Airport Official White House portrait
Popular culture	Hillary 1984 Saturday Night Live parodies Hillary Clinton: The Power of Women (2015 documentary) Hillary and Clinton (2016 play) Hillary (2020 documentary)
Family	Bill Clinton (husband presidency) Chelsea Clinton (daughter) Hugh E. Rodham (father) Dorothy Howell Rodham (mother) Hugh Rodham (brother) Tony Rodham (brother) Socks (cat) Buddy (dog) Whitehaven (residence)
Other	Situation Room (2011 photograph) Activities after 2016

v t e Tim Kaine
U.S. Senator from Virginia (2013–present) Governor of Virginia (2006–2010) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (2002–2006) Mayor of Richmond (1998–2001) Born (1958-02-26)February 26, 1958
Politics	Political positions Democratic response to 2006 State of the Union address
Campaigns	Gubernatorial 2005 U.S. Senate 2012 2018 2024 Vice presidential 2016 campaign selection convention debate election
Writings	Stronger Together
Family	Anne Holton (wife)
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