Kaine says Clinton will try to work with GOP

[TexasTowelie]

BOSTON -- Tim Kaine is sounding a hopeful note that a Democratic White House could work with Republicans to bridge deep divides laid bare by this bitter presidential campaign.

The vice presidential candidate told The Associated Press on Saturday that he and Hillary Clinton have already spoken about how to heal the nation if they should win. He said tackling economic anxieties, finding common policy ground with the GOP and perhaps bringing Republicans into the administration would be elements of unity, though he added that he and Clinton did not discuss Cabinet positions.

"We have not run this campaign as a campaign against the GOP with the big broad brush — we've run it against Donald Trump," Kaine said. He predicted: "We're going to get a lot of Republican votes and that will also be part of, right out of the gate, the way to bring folks back together."

Clinton's campaign has been preparing for the possibility that Trump won't concede the election if he loses, based on his assertions that the contest is rigged. Kaine said he hasn't talked with Clinton about that scenario.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article109990562.html

[UncleTomsEvilBrother]

1. *Face Palm*

As a rationally thinking DEM, I know the only solution is to be able to work with the "other side of the aisle", but I can't help but think how they were not willing to work with President B. throughout his entire term.

With hope, Hillary will get more accomplished.

[BlueStreak]

3. You have to try, and if we take the Senate and close the House numbers

there may be more motivation to cooperate. The alternative is another 8 years of obstructionism, and how did that work out for the GOP the first 8 years they did it? This time there is the added element that if Hillary has 8 years, it is highly likely that she will name a replacement for at least one of the remaining uber-right Justices.

However, my only real complaint with Obama that he was too quick to make bad deals. He just isn't much of a negotiator. I hope Hillary will be a bit more hard-nosed in negotiations.

[Barack_America]

9. You really don't.

Speed may be altered, but never course. Particularly for a dying party. Head due left, and never look back.

[BlueStreak]

14. We can't pass anything "due left". My hope is

that a case can be made in certain areas (many of them) that the American public actually strongly favors the progressive positions. But it is a simple reality that, even if the GOP is willing to cooperate a little, it will be necessary to make some deals.

I certainly agree with what I think you are saying to the extent that if the GOP continues to obstruct everything, then hell with them. Make this the beginning of the 2018 campaign and base that on very progressive ideas, keeping people like Elizabeth and Bernie near the front of the parade. And we can continue to tie what remains of the GOP to people like Trump and Britebart.

[TCJ70]

18. Even if ou can't pass it, it's a great place to start!

Deals are where both sides give up something...we need to be sure we start far enough left to not give up things unnecessarily before negotiations begin. We have 8 years of history to suggest the GOP will continue to obstruct everything so why not go for gold?

[BlueStreak]

22. Absolutely. And I Hope Hillary will follow that approach more than Obama did

or her husband, for that matter.

We can't draw the line a mile away from the GOP on every issue. But there are a few issues that are worth staking out a very aggressive position. The college assistance is one such program.

Another important one is the funding of Social Security and Medicare. Hillary said all the right things in the debates. That's exactly where she should stake out her solution, and not even entertain any privatizing discussions. After all, the public strong supports her position, and she should relish the opportunity to take the show on the road to point out what the Ayn Randers want to do.

[Third Doctor]

2. I'm not holding my breath.

[Lucinda]

4. As it should be. We don't pay them to play stupid games. n/t

[oasis]

6. Beware of two-faced, duplicitous, assholes like Chuck Grassley.

[nolabels]

7. What, having adults in charge?

That's crazy

[Barack_America]

8. Well, there's a losing strategy.

Scrape them off, they're done. Don't provide them legitimacy.

[Bucky]

10. I think that's what the public wants

Big Dog tried it. Obama tried it. Whenever we stick our hands across the aisle they always shit on it. But really the right thing to do is to try. Don't be a chump, but yes, do ask them to come along and compromise. If they do, we make progress. If they're not willing, make them say it in public. That's what makes them lose elections.

[William769]

11. As so she should.

Make them look to be the fools that they are.

[socialist_n_TN]

12. The only thing that would be accomplished by "working with" Republicans........

would be Republican priorities. Is that what the Democratic Party is about? That's a serious question, NOT rhetorical.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

13. Yeah, good luck with that. nt

[Recursion]

15. Of course she'll try, just like Obama did

And they'll stonewall her, just like they did Obama.

But we are still the adults in the room, and it's still on us to keep trying. Kaine is right.

[tammywammy]

16. +1

[Johnny2X2X]

17. She will have a mandate

And if we can somehow win the House it's going to be easier to work with them.

[book_worm]

19. Obama tried to do so as well--unless they have a complete turnaround

they won't try to work with her at all.

[TCJ70]

20. 8 MORE YEARS! 8 MORE YEARS!

8 more years of Republican stonewalling and obstruction! If that's what they're going to do, and it is, you turn left as hard as you can and go into every negotiation from that standpoint. No more giving up things before talks begin.

[FrenchieCat]

21. 2020 is the year we can clean up the gerrymander

As it is the next census year! Till then, we most likely will have a GOP House if nothing else!

[DemonGoddess]

23. Bipartisanship has become a lost art in our Congress

I'm hopeful that she can bring that spirit of working together back.