Sen. Tim Kaine said Sunday that the election outcome was far from certain, and Republicans largely agreed with him.
But in a series of Sunday television interviews, neither side did much to rebut the conventional wisdom that Hillary Clinton is in the driver's seat with just over two weeks until Election Day.
Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, said on NBC's "Meet The Press" that a look at his and Clinton's schedule for the final weeks will make it clear that "we're not taking anything for granted."
But, he said, , when it comes to trends from early voting in many states, "we like what we see."
Kaine said all parties will have to come together after the election to take on the major challenges ahead.
"After Election Day, the public expects us to reach across the aisle. That's what I have done in my career in Virginia and now in the Senate, and that's Hillary's track record too," he said.
An early test of Clinton's fidelity to positions staked out in the Democratic primary might be on the Trans Pacific Partnership, a major 12-nation trade pact that is a major priority for President Barack Obama, but is opposed by many liberals.
Kaine, who supported fast-track authority legislation in 2015, said opposing the final agreement was not a condition for him to join the ticket. Both he and Clinton continue to oppose the deal, he said, while opening the door to a different trade agreement.
"We aren't against trade," he said. "Whether it's in Asia or in Europe, if we can find deals that meet those goals _ more jobs, higher wages, and good for natural security, and good enforcement provisions _ we're open to them."
"So no, you never close the door if you can get a deal that's going to be good for American workers and our economy."
