Tim Kaine Makes First Solo Appearance Since Veep Pick

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine is quickly settling into his role as a joyful Donald Trump attack dog.

In his first solo outing since securing the Democratic vice presidential nomination—and just hours before he is set to deliver his speech to the Democratic convention—Kaine attended three swing-state delegation breakfasts in Philadelphia, offering brief remarks to the Iowa and Florida contingent and longer remarks to those from his home state in which he criticized his GOP rival at length.

“Donald Trump is a one-man wrecking crew when it comes to alliances,” Kaine said, referencing Trump’s comments about U.S. allies.

Kaine noted that his son, who serves in the military, deployed to Europe on Monday to assist NATO allies. “I don’t believe in coincidences—this happened for a reason,” Kaine said. “What’s his deployment, it’s to serve right in the front line in NATO that Trump is suggesting he wants to throw overboard and leave at the mercies of the big bad wolf Vladimir Putin.”

As Democrats drew fire from Republicans for failing to mention ISIS during the Monday night program, Kaine continued that Trump’s policies would weaken the nation’s ability to prevent terror attacks. “You can’t stop terrorist attacks if you don’t share intel and you’re not going to share intel if you shred your alliances,” he said.

Kaine also further developed what is quickly becoming a campaign riff for the former civil rights attorney, saying the race against Trump is “a civil rights election, folks.” Highlighting Trump’s offensive comments toward women and minorities, Kaine stepped in to deliver the blow.

“He talks about anybody of Latino background as though they are second-class citizens. We don’t have any second class citizens in this country,” he said. “And that’s what this election is about.”

Adding that Trump’s attitude in business has been “me-first,” Kaine argued that if anyone believes that Trump cares about average Americans like he claims, “Folks, I’ve got a bridge to sell ya if you believe that.”

Kaine also devoted time in his remarks to noting the historic nature of Clinton’s candidacy. Stating that the U.S. is 75th in the world in terms of women’s participation in politics, Kaine said it was time for change. “If we’re self-confident, we ought to be able to acknowledge the things that we’re not good at and the things we need to improve,” he said.

“I think it’s great for men to be able to stand to support strong women leaders,” he added.