PHILADELPHIA _ Tim Kaine has a reputation for being a nice guy and the rare Washington politician who enjoys friendships _ genuine friendships, not the transactional Beltway type _ with lawmakers on both sides of the political divide.
But introducing himself to the nation Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention, the Virginia senator showed he can also wield a dagger with the steeliest of political partisans _ albeit in a genial, by-gosh manner.
Chosen as Hillary Clinton's running mate, Kaine took up the customary role of campaign slasher with gusto, gleefully contrasting Clinton's detail-laden policy agenda with Donald Trump's vague promises.
Lowering his vote in a mocking rendition of the businessman's braggadocio, Kaine ticked through a litany of Trump's business failures.
"He says, 'Believe me,' " Kaine jocularly scoffed. "Well his creditors, his contractors, his laid-off employees, his ripped-off students did just that. Folks, you cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump's mouth."
At that, the convention hall took up the chant "Not one word! Not one word!"
"To me," Kaine went on, "it just seems that our nation is too great to put it in the hands of a slick-talking, empty-promising, self-promoting, one-man wrecking crew."
Twisting the knife, he quoted the criticisms leveled by several of Trump's fellow Republicans, among them Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who, Kaine said, "had the honor of hosting the Republican National Convention in Cleveland but wouldn't even attend it because he thinks Trump is such a moral disaster."
Much of Kaine's speech was autobiographical, tracing his life from his birth in the Midwest, through volunteer work with Jesuit missionaries in Central America and years as a civil rights lawyer before starting his career in politics as a member of the Richmond, Va., City Council.
"My journey has convinced me that God has created a rich tapestry in this country," said Kaine, a devout Catholic. "An incredible cultural diversity that succeeds when we embrace everyone in love and battle against the dark forces of division. We're all neighbors and we must love our neighbors as ourselves."
He also stepped easily into a second role expected of a presidential understudy: extolling the virtues of the candidate at the top of the ticket.
"When you want to know about the character of someone in public life, look to see if they have a passion, one that began before they were in office and that they have consistently held onto throughout their career," Kaine said.
"Hillary's passion is kids and family. Donald Trump has passion, too. It's himself.
"And it's not just words with Hillary, it's accomplishments," Kaine said. "She delivers."
