PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine is an everyman. But an everyman with loads of government experience.
Kaine received the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Wednesday and both state Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Paul Mark got their first impressions of the Virginia senator when he delivered his address.
"I found him warm, engaging, and funny, which I like," Mark said. "It seems like he is a solid choice. It's a good balance."
Kaine is one of the few who can boast of being a mayor, a governor, and a senator. Further, he comes from a battleground state where he may serve a vital role in delivering the presidency for the Democratic Party. After accepting the nomination, Mark and Farley-Bouvier both said their first impressions of him were positive.
"He seems really approachable," Farley-Bouvier said, adding that he's the kind of person one could strike up a conversation at any time. "He's just an everyman kind of person."
Beyond that, the Pittsfield Democrat said his experience stands out because he knows how to interact with all branches and levels of government. Neither Mark nor Farley-Bouvier had known much about Kaine but both are rallying around his candidacy.
"I was really pleased with that choice because the No. 1 consideration is to pick a person who is someone who can step in to be president. Because you are a heartbeat away," Farley-Bouvier said.
Farley-Bouvier is serving as the Massachusetts whip for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the convention, ensuring all of the delegates are where they are supposed to be and when. She said it does get a little difficult in sorting out things like seats such as when a congressman shows up unexpectedly with a guest or a delegate who is supposed to be there doesn't arrive. She added her role includes making sure signs are raised at certain times, all part of the scripted and orchestrated event.
"It's all really carefully planned," she said.
On Wednesday, the intensity grew inside the Wells Fargo Center, according to Mark, who said, "the place was jam packed" when earlier in the week it hadn't been. Mark said first day was somewhat subdued, the second day increased the celebration and the forming of unity behind Clinton, and then the celebration and rallying built on day three.
The culmination is Thursday night, when Clinton accepts the nomination and delivers her speech.
"Today I am looking for somebody to really close the deal," the Peru Democrat said.
Mark hopes to see more of Clinton's personality, which he said often doesn't get portrayed. He hopes she'll show that and get the Democratic Party excited and rallied behind her.
On Thursday, Farley-Bouvier was nearly moved to tears when talking about Clinton's upcoming speech. She has been actively campaigning for Clinton since her first run 2008 and headed local efforts during the primary.
"There is nobody on the face of the earth more qualified to be president than Hillary Clinton," Farley-Bouvier said.
President Barack Obama agreed when he delivered a rallying speech on Wednesday night, saying his former secretary of state is more qualified than both himself and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
The president was the keynote speaker, following Kaine and Vice President Joseph Biden, and outlined his interactions with Clinton from being rivals in the 2008 primary, in which he credited the candidate for never giving up and constantly storming back into the race, to bringing her onboard to serve as secretary of state.
In all, he said Clinton is the right person to take over the White House and continue the progress he's made.
"It is easy to forget and take for granted how much he actually accomplished," Mark said, citing Obama's stimulus bill as one that "saved the world's economy."
Farley-Bouvier said she was impressed with Obama's speech because he "laid out the case not only for the values of the Democratic Party and what his administration accomplished" but also the case for Clinton to be in office.
Behind the scenes, Farley-Bouvier said there is a lot of networking with fellow Massachusetts legislators. On Wednesday morning, she was at a breakfast with Massachusetts officials when "in walked Bernie Sanders. That was a big thrill for the Massachusetts delegation."
The Vermont senator has taken an active role in visiting caucuses and delegations rallying support for Clinton. His campaign fell short of the delegates to win the nomination and instead of disappearing from sight, he's using the momentum he gained during the primary to push the Democratic Party forward.
"The revolution continuing means Hillary Clinton needs to be president of the United States," Farley-Bouvier said.
Sanders is rallying support for candidates "up and down the ballot" in hopes to further his progressive agenda.
"It is the right thing to do to get together," Mark, who is attending the convention as a Sanders delegate.
Meanwhile, when the television cameras are off, the two Berkshire representatives are attending workshops and speaking events. Both said they are making strong connections with other Massachusetts officials, which they feel will make a stronger working relationship when they return to Boston.
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