Sen. Tim Kaine, former running mate to Hillary Clinton, said Wednesday he believes South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has the experience necessary to fill the “challenging role” of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after President-elect Trump announced earlier in the day his intention to nominate her.
“As a former governor, I believe that Governor Haley’s executive experience would serve her well in the challenging role of negotiating with all United Nations member states and representing the United States on the Security Council,” Kaine, the former governor of Virginia, said in a statement.
Haley is the first woman Trump has named to his administration. She had criticized him publicly earlier this year before backing his Republican opponent, Sen. Marco Rubio, during the primary race in her state. Trump won the South Carolina primary by 11 points.
“During this time of unprecedented humanitarian crisis around the globe from Syria, Yemen and Iraq to Central African Republican and South Sudan, a responsive and consequential United Nations is necessary, and this will only happen through U.S. leadership,” Kaine said.
The former Democratic vice-presidential nominee said he planned to discuss with Haley the ways U.N. members should handle the “destabilizing activities” of Iran, North Korea, the Islamic State and other terrorist groups, as well as how the body could “more powerfully implement its resolutions.”
“I look forward to meeting with Governor Haley and considering her nomination in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,” said Kaine, a member of the committee that will hold Haley’s confirmation hearing.
His warm reception of Trump’s latest Cabinet announcement comes as many in his own party continue to resist other major Trump appointments, such as Steve Bannon’s elevation to chief White House strategist or Sen. Jeff Sessions’ to attorney general.
But even some of Trump’s critics have applauded his decision to place a former detractor like Haley in his administration, taking it as an indication that Trump intends to make good on his promise to fill the government with “the best people” regardless of their allegiances.
Trump is also reportedly considering Mitt Romney, one of his fiercest opponents during the campaign, as a potential pick for secretary of state.
