CNN didn't disappoint on Friday's Anderson Cooper 360 when it broke the news about Hillary Clinton choosing Senator Tim Kaine to be her running mate. Jeff Zeleny stuck to liberal media's talking points about the vice presidential pick, labeling Kaine "more moderate than the liberal strain driving today's Democratic Party." He added that the Virginia Democrat's "views on abortion are far more conservative than most Democrats" — but then played a clip where Kaine admitted that he was "going to protect women's legal rights to make their own reproductive decisions." [video below]
Meanwhile, on ABC's special coverage of the Democratic vice presidential candidate, Cecilia Vega described Senate Kaine as a "devout Catholic." Vega and David Muir both played up that the politician could "help her win a demographic that she [Clinton] really needs: white male voters." On NBC's 47-second special report, Chuck Todd contended that "this is what is going to be classified as a safe pick; as a governing pick...he's [Kaine has] got a deep, deep resume...And here's a unique thing about him: he speaks fluent Spanish — first-ever U.S. senator to speak on the Senate floor in Spanish."
Zeleny led his report by highlighting that "it may be an anti-establishment year, but Clinton's running mate is an insider." He continued that "by selecting Kaine, Clinton is betting that experience in government — not sizzle — is the best way to defeat Donald Trump....He's neither flashy nor showboat — a seemingly safe pick and steady hand."
The CNN correspondent also disclosed that Senator Kaine "learned fluent Spanish and still speaks it today, which makes him a different kind of attack dog against Trump." Moments later, Zeleny gave his "more moderate than the liberal strain" phrase, and pointed out that the Democrat is "Catholic — outwardly moved by Pope Francis's visit to Capitol Hill last year." He then dropped his "far more conservative" label about Kaine's supposed stance on abortion.
Near the end of the segment, the journalist underlined that "it's an open question whether Kaine fits the mold of today's red-hot politics. Yet, his selection could help soften Clinton's partisan edges."
The full transcripts of Jeff Zeleny's report from CNN's Anderson Cooper 360; Cecilia Vega's special report; and Chuck Todd's news brief — all of which aired during the 8 pm Eastern hour on July 22, 2016 (CBS didn't air a special report in Washington, D.C. market. It only announced the news with a text crawl.):
07/22/2016
08:27 pm EDT
CNN — Anderson Cooper 360ANDERSON COOPER: More now on Senator Kaine — who he is; things you might not know. Jeff Zeleny has that.
[CNN Graphic: "Breaking News: Clinton: Kaine Is A 'Fighter For Progressive Causes;' Clinton Picks Sen. Kaine For VP"]
SEN. TIM KAINE, (D), VIRGINIA (from Hillary Clinton campaign event): Are we ready for Hillary?
JEFF ZELENY (voice-over): Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine — new partners on the Democratic ticket.
KAINE: Do you want a 'you're fired' president, or a 'you're hired' president? Right? (audience cheers)
ZELENY: It may be an anti-establishment year, but Clinton's running mate is an insider — a U.S. Senator from Virginia, and a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
KAINE: And if I have anything to do with it, we'll win again.
ZELENY: By selecting Kaine, Clinton is betting that experience in government — not sizzle — is the best way to defeat Donald Trump.
KAINE: Elections are just the beginning. The real work starts tomorrow.
ZELENY: He's neither flashy nor showboat — a seemingly safe pick and steady hand — just what Clinton told Anderson Cooper she's looking for in a vice president.
HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I want to be sure that whoever I pick could be president immediately if something were to happen. That's the most important qualification.
KAINE (from 2006 Democratic response to the State of the Union address): I'm Tim Kaine—
ZELENY: So who is Timothy Michael Kaine? A decade ago, as governor of Virginia, he introduced himself in the Democratic response to President Bush's State of the Union address.
KAINE: I worked as a missionary when I was a young man; and I learned to measure my life by the difference I could make in someone else's life.
ZELENY: It was that stint as a Jesuit missionary in Honduras that shaped; and now, distinguishes him. (clip of Sen. Kaine speaking in Spanish) He learned fluent Spanish and still speaks it today, which makes him a different kind of attack dog against Trump.
KAINE (from Hillary Clinton campaign event): If you're a Latino, he's going to trash-talk you.
ZELENY: Born in Minnesota and raised in Kansas—
KAINE (from political ad): The best decision I ever made was moving to Richmond — to marry my wife, Ann, 26 years ago.
ZELENY: He built his political career in Virginia — rising from city councilman and mayor of Richmond, to lieutenant governor and governor (interruption in video feed) — ten years younger than Clinton — known well inside the party, but not beyond.
KAINE: I'm not the one with the biggest profile. I'm not the one that's the best known.
ZELENY: He signed on with Clinton early this time around — endorsing her in 2014 — more than a year before she declared her candidacy.
For an original Barack Obama supporter, it was a chance to make up for lost time.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA (from Obama campaign event): Give it up for Tim Kaine! (audience cheers and applauds)
ZELENY: His politics are more moderate than the liberal strain driving today's Democratic Party. He's Catholic — outwardly moved by Pope Francis's visit to Capitol Hill last year. His views on abortion are far more conservative than most Democrats, as he explained in this interview.
KAINE: I'm personally opposed to the abortion and the death penalty, and I've lived my life that way. Law is what it is, and I'm going to carry out the law. I'm going to protect women's legal rights to make their own reproductive decisions.
ZELENY: He's also spoken out forcefully against the administration, for failing to seek congressional approval to fight the Islamic State.
KAINE (from press conference on Capitol Hill): The war against ISIL is just; it's necessary; it's noble — but it's illegal. There's been no congressional authorization for this war.
ZELENY: It's an open question whether Kaine fits the mold of today's red-hot politics. Yet, his selection could help soften Clinton's partisan edges.
KAINE: When it comes to our leadership in the world, trash-talking ain't enough. We need a bridge builder. We've got a bridge builder in Hillary Clinton.
ZELENY (from Hillary Clinton campaign event): Jeff Zeleny, CNN, Washington.
07/22/2016
08:12 pm EDT
ABC News Special ReportDAVID MUIR: We come on the air tonight because Hillary Clinton has now made her choice — her V.P. pick public. She said she would do it with her supporters in a Tweet — and that is exactly what she has done. She has chosen Senator Tim Kaine, 58 years old. He is a U.S. senator from the State of Virginia
I want to bring in ABC's Cecilia Vega, who is in Florida — where Hillary Clinton spoke late today in Tampa after visiting the Pulse nightclub —the scene of that horrific attack in Orlando — earlier in the day. And Cecilia, we knew this was coming. She said her supporters would hear first; and then, that's exactly what happened tonight.
[ABC News Graphic: "Hillary Clinton Selects Senator Tim Kaine As Her Running Mate"]
CECILIA VEGA: That's right, David. She announced it, as you said, on Twitter. Her supporters are also expecting to get a text message or an e-mail at any moment.
I can tell you a little bit more about Tim Kaine. In addition to being a — a senator from Virginia, he's a former governor of that state. He's also a devout Catholic. He speaks fluent Spanish. We've heard him on the campaign trail in recent days using his Spanish skills out there to try and win some voters over. Hillary Clinton has said in recent days that she is looking for someone with national security experience — someone with foreign policy. He brings that. He sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee; the foreign — Foreign Relations Committee. In addition to that, his — her campaign is hoping that he can help her win a demographic that she really needs: white male voters; and of course, help her carry that all-important swing state of Virginia.
The complaint about Tim Kaine — he has said himself — he is boring. He — many say that he falls flat on the campaign trail. Hillary Clinton has said, that's fine; boring is fine for her. What she likes about him, David: that he has not lost an election in his entire political career. She's hoping he brings her some luck on this front.
[ABC News Graphic: "Sen. Tim Kaine, (D), Virginia: -58 years old; -Born in St. Paul, MN; raised near Kansas City; -Member, Senate Armed Services Committee; -DNC Chair from 2009-2011"]
MUIR: In fact, she was asked about this just in recent days — about him being boring — and she said — quote, 'I love that about him.'
She has chosen Senator Tim Kaine tonight. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota; raised in Kansas City. His father owned a metal working shop. His mother was a home economics teacher. And Cecilia, you mentioned that perhaps, he could help with white male voters in this country. He's also in a key, crucial battleground.
VEGA: He is — the State of Virginia. And in fact, he will more than likely appear in another crucial battleground tomorrow — right here in Florida. Their first outing together on the campaign trail is expected to take place in Miami.
David, as you know, this was a secret for the Clinton campaign. They managed to keep this under tight lock and key — no leaks came out about this name — Tim Kaine — until it happened just right now. Hillary Clinton has said, all along, that she was looking for someone who could step into the role of president on a moment's notice; and, of course, she is saying this as a former first lady; as a former Cabinet member; and now, soon to be nominated her party's nominee, David.
MUIR: He was the second runner-up to Biden in President Obama's V.P. selection process. He had been vetted quite a bit before. And we know tonight it will be Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine on the same ticket — the Clinton-Kaine posters likely being printed as we speak. Cecilia, our thanks to you live from Florida tonight — and we should report tonight that they will make their first public appearance together tomorrow in Florida — and ABC News will carry that live.
07/22/2016
08:12 pm EDT
NBC News Special ReportLESTER HOLT: Good evening. Three days ahead of the Democratic National Convention NBC news now can tell you that Hillary Clinton has chosen Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her vice presidential running mate — a 58-year-old former governor of Virginia.
Let's go to NBC's Chuck Todd. Chuck, how does this play out?
[NBC News Graphic: "Hillary Clinton Selects Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine As VP Pick; Senator Tim Kaine: Senator — Virginia: 2013 - Present; Governor — Virginia: 2006 - 2010; DNC Chairman 2009 - 2011; 58 Years Old"]
CHUCK TODD: Well, look, this is what is going to be classified as a safe pick; as a governing pick. Yes, he's from the swing state of Virginia; but he's got a deep, deep resume — former mayor of Richmond; former governor of Virginia; currently a U.S. senator. And here's a unique thing about him: he speaks fluent Spanish — first-ever U.S. senator to speak on the Senate floor in Spanish.
HOLT: The announcement made in a Tweet by Mrs. Clinton. She calls him 'a man who's devoted his life to fighting for others. — Tim Kaine her V.P. pick.
