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Kaine on Trump's 'believe me' line: Don't

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president Wednesday night, introducing himself to a national audience as a Jesuit-educated former missionary and governor who trusts Hillary Clinton with his Marine son's life.

Democratic vice president nominee Tim Kaine addresses delegates during day three of the DNC at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.
Democratic vice president nominee Tim Kaine addresses delegates during day three of the DNC at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president Wednesday night, introducing himself to a national audience as a Jesuit-educated former missionary and governor who trusts Hillary Clinton with his Marine son's life.

And Kaine also debuted in the traditional running-mate role of attack dog, mocking Republican Donald Trump's signature phrase, "Believe me," as a tipoff to the lies of a detail-free campaign.

"He says, 'Believe me.' Well, his creditors, his contractors, his laid-off employees, his ripped-off students did just that," Kaine said. "Folks, you cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump's mouth. Our nation, it is too great to put it in the hands of a slick-talking, empty-promising, self-promoting, one-man wrecking crew."

Kaine also ripped Trump for not releasing his income tax returns, as presidential candidates have done for more than four decades, though it is not required by law. "Hey, Donald, what are you hiding?" he asked.

The low-key senator, 58, explained what he admires in Clinton - what he called consistent principles in fighting for families and justice, and a shared Christian faith. Showing off another of his assets as a campaigner, fluent Spanish, Kaine said he and Clinton were compañeros del alma - soul mates - and described her as lista, which he translated as "prepared, battle-tested, rock solid."

Kaine brought his personal story to the stage: He was born in Minnesota and grew up in Kansas City, helped out in his father's iron shop, and was educated in a Jesuit boys' school, where "my faith became something vital."

"I knew that I wanted to fight for social justice," he said, before describing a career path that carried him from working at a Jesuit missionary school, teaching welding and carpentry, in Honduras and as a civil-rights lawyer to mayor of Richmond, governor of Virginia, and now U.S. senator.

"My journey has convinced me that God has created a rich tapestry in this country - an incredible cultural diversity that succeeds when we embrace everyone in love and battle back against the dark forces of division," Kaine said.

Clinton's choice of Kaine has drawn wide praise but grumbling from some progressive groups who wonder whether he will champion their causes. Ironically, many analysts of Virginia politics have always considered him too liberal.

Clinton picked him over candidates who would have brought ethnic diversity to the ticket, such as Julian Castro, housing secretary in the Obama administration, or had deeper ties to the party's liberal wing, such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Kaine's selection disappointed some liberals adamantly opposed to free-trade deals they believe throw Americans out of work, especially in manufacturing. The Virginia senator voted in 2015 to give President Obama "fast track" authority to negotiate trade agreements, clearing the way for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Since joining the ticket, Kaine has changed his views to align with Clinton's in opposition to that agreement with Asian nations.

In the end, Clinton decided her priority was to have a vice president who, if necessary, would be prepared to lead the country, aides said - and with whom she was personally comfortable.

At one point, Bernie Sanders supporters heckled him, and Kaine said, "Feel the Bern! And don't get burned by" Trump.

tfitzgerald@phillynews.com

215-854-2718

@tomfitzgerald

www.philly.com/bigtent