Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (L) speaks as U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) (R) listens during a campaign event at Ernst Community Cultural Center at Northern Virginia Community College July 14, 2016. (Getty)
Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential announcement looms, as the Democratic National Convention quickly approaches. The DNC is planned for July 25-28 in Philadelphia.
Clinton is expected to announce her political partner on either Friday or Saturday, when she is scheduled to campaign in Florida, a key swing state.
Several Democrats close to the vice presidential process told CNN that Clinton is planning to introduce her running mate on Saturday during a rally in Miami. However, the news could come as soon as Friday at Clinton’s afternoon rally at the Tampa fairgrounds. Fox News reports that Clinton is expected to announce her vice presidential running mate on Friday, with three names reportedly on the short list.
It’s also possible that Clinton could announce her choice in advance of the campaign event via a text message to supporters, according to the New York Times.
The decision may depend on how Donald Trump’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention is received Thursday night. If Clinton feels it was a success, she will likely want to draw the attention away from Trump, and toward her campaign as soon as possible. A vice presidential announcement would put the focus on Clinton.
I expect Hillary to leak Kaine as VP choice around 7:30am ET tomorrow. Step on any bounce. Dominate the weekend.
— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) July 22, 2016
If Trump’s speech garners more negative attention than positive, Clinton may wait until Saturday.
The former secretary of state has repeatedly said she is looking for a running mate who can seamlessly step into the job of commander-in-chief if needed.
Increased speculation has surrounded Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in recent weeks. Both are high on Clinton’s list, according to CNN who spoke with several people familiar with the selection process.
The Associated Press reported in June that Clinton’s short list includes Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro.
Kaine emerged as an early favorite in many reports. The Virginia Senator is currently listed as Clinton’s most likely running mate at 82 percent by the prediction markets monitored by Predictwise.com.
On Thursday, Kaine took to Twitter to slam Republican nominee Donald Trump following his RNC speech.
Kaine’s experience in foreign policy could help his case as a vice presidential candidate. Kaine serves on both the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees.
The New York Times reported that Kaine has gotten the nod from former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton’s husband. Democrats who were briefed on conversations with the former president, told the paper that his domestic and international experience make him prepared for the job.
Bloomberg reports that members of the Obama administration are also in support of Kaine, who was considered for the vice presidential nomination by President Barack Obama in 2008.
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Olivia Stacey is a contributor to Heavy covering news, sports and entertainment. Olivia is a multi-faceted reporter who has worked with a variety of media outlets including Fox Sports, Tampa Media Group and PBS. Follow her on Twitter @Olivia_Stacey. Olivia can be reached at olivia.stacey@heavy.com.July 22, 2016 12:15 am
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