Moderate Kaine toes a fine line on Israel issues [View all]
Source: Times of Israel
Virginia senator has long record of facilitating bilteral ties, defense aid, but Clinton’s J Street-backed running mate also supported Iran deal, opposed Netanyahu speech to Congress
WASHINGTON — In a campaign season of unexpected turns, presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s selection of Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate was a rare safe bet. Kaine, a veteran of state and national office, is very much a known entity inside the Beltway – and is considered a foreign policy heavyweight, demonstrating a nuanced position on Israel that defies any easy characterization.
Kaine has been prominent on the Democratic scene since serving as governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010. While managing the “Old Dominion,” Kaine also chaired the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011.
The next year he defeated former Virginia senator and governor George Allen in a tight race for one of Virginia’s two senate seats. Representing a state with one of the highest percentages of current and former military members among its voters, Kaine became a prominent foreign policy voice among Capitol Hill Democrats.
The senator earned his leadership stripes supporting the administration during the 2015 battle over Senate validation of the Iran nuclear deal. With top Democrat Senator Charles Schumer of New York opposing the administration on the deal, Kaine filled the vacuum by helping to whip senators to support the administration on a fateful procedural vote that prevented the Senate from blocking the deal.
Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/moderate-kaine-toes-a-fine-line-on-israel-issues/
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