Tim Kaine kicks off his introduction to America by speaking Spanish

By Fusion Staff | July 23, 2016 | 6:23pm

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Vice Presidential candidate Tim Kaine took the stage Saturday to introduce himself to Americans, making history by speaking in Spanish and showcasing that the campaign will make immigration a priority.

Immediately after taking the stage from Hillary Clinton, Kaine addressed the crowd in Spanish, which drew huge applause.

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“I’m so excited to hear someone on a platform like this speaking Spanish,” said Clinton supporter Marta Benavies, a native of Colombia, ahead of Kaine’s speech. She held a sign that says “Estoy Con Ella,” a Spanish translation of campaign slogan “I’m With Her.”

Kaine highlighted immigration as a priority of the Clinton campaign. He encouraged the crowd to go to an immigration naturalization service. “Raise your hand if you have become a naturalized citizen,” Kaine said. “Thanks for choosing us! If you haven’t been to one of those services, it’s going to be one of the most powerful things you’ll ever see … Anybody who loves America this much deserves to be here.”

Kaine is a fluent Spanish-speaker, having learned the language while on a post-collegiate missionary trip to Honduras. In 2013, he made history by delivering a speech entirely in Spanish on the Senate floor about overhauling the immigration bill.

The location of Saturday’s speech also highlighted the campaign’s outreach to Hispanics. Florida International University is the first in the nation for awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Hispanic students, according to the university.

The school is a beacon for ethnic and racial inclusion. Two months ago UN Ambassador Susan Rice made headlines for saying at a commencement speech here that the national security world is “white, male and Yale.” “In the halls of power, in the faces of our national security leaders, America is still not fully reflected,” she said.

But there were some in what has to be the “Make America Great Again” crowd who were not wild about a possible Spanish-speaking Vice President.

Daniel Rivero is a producer/reporter for Fusion who focuses on police and justice issues. He also skateboards, does a bunch of arts related things on his off time, and likes Cuban coffee.

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