FEEL THE BERN In It to Win It Clinton’s nomination was a moment that had begun more than a year earlier On April 12 2015 people from all walks of life appeared on a video on Clinton’s website They discussed their future plans have a baby start a business go to college At the end of the video Clinton announced I’m getting ready to do something too I’m running for president 1 So began her 2016 campaign Clinton’s first challenge Bernie Sanders an independent senator from Vermont gained a large following among progressive voters He built his campaign around economic and political reforms including a higher minimum wage free college tuition and an end to the close relationship between politicians and Wall Street lobbyists When Clinton secured the Democratic nomination for the presidency Sanders used the momentum of his campaign to influence the Democratic Party’s platform at the national convention The platform included many of the reforms Sanders had promised during his campaign such as a higher minimum wage and free college tuition for some students was to win her party’s nomination At first she had five competitors all men But within eight months only Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders remained standing Sanders gave Clinton a fight she had not expected His call for a political revolution 6 ESSENTIAL LIVES
Over the course of the primary season Clinton and Sanders debated nine times appealed to many young adults and progressives in the Democratic Party Despite Sanders’s popularity with these groups of voters Clinton’s early lead in the popular vote was too large for him to overcome Even before the primary season ended Clinton had clinched the Democratic nomination Sanders endorsed her on July 12 2016 Running Mate The choice of a running mate is one of the first presidential decisions a candidate makes On July 22 2016 Clinton selected Virginia governor Tim Kaine as her vice-presidential pick HILL ARY CLINTON 7
Kaine is a longtime politician A former civil rights lawyer he served as the mayor of Richmond Virginia and as both lieutenant governor and governor of that state before being elected to the US Senate in 2012 During an interview on the television program 60 Minutes Clinton explained why she chose Kaine as her running mate She said the most important qualification is that the person be ready to become president 2 She wanted someone who could step into her shoes at a moment’s notice She believed Kaine was that man Political analysts believed there was another reason why Clinton picked Kaine as her vice president They suggested Clinton chose Kaine because he is a middle-aged white man who has moderate political positions He could help Clinton attract independent and Republican voters who were uncomfortable voting for the Republican nominee businessman and former reality television star Donald Trump Stronger Together On July 28 the last night of the Democratic convention speaker after speaker proclaimed Clinton’s virtues and 8 ESSENTIAL LIVES
Clinton announced Tim Kaine as her running mate on July 23 2016 9 9
