Tim Kaine: Trump Would Pose 'Unprecedented Danger' as Commander In Chief

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine blasted Republican presidential presumptive nominee Donald J. Trump Thursday, saying the New York businessman would pose "unprecedented danger" to America if he became Commander in Chief.

Kaine, who serves on the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees and is often discussed as a potential running mate for Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, said Trump "lacks the experience, values and temperament to lead America on the world stage and keep our country safe."

Kaine came out on top this week as a VP choice for Clinton among a group surveyed by USA Today. "Tim Kaine is far and away the best choice — former mayor, governor, Spanish speaking, highly regarded from a swing state," Dallas Morning News columnist Carl Leubsdorf told the newspaper. "I expect Hillary Clinton to pick someone clearly qualified to be president, to increase the contrast with Trump."

The fact that Kaine comes from a swing state doesn't hurt either.

Former Democratic congressman Dan Maffei tells USA Today Kaine "helps a little with Obama insiders but could really help win Virginia."

Kaine's comments Thursday come as Clinton delivers a speech in San Diego contrasting her experience protecting national security and helping lead America's foreign policy agenda with Trump's alarming positions and rhetoric.

"Trump has called the U.S. military a 'disaster' -- no major party nominee seeking the Commander in Chief role has ever spoken about our troops with such disrespect," Kaine said in a statement.‎ "His proposal to ban Muslims from entering the country flies in the face of America's tradition of religious freedom, and experts agree that it plays right into terrorists' hands. While Hillary Clinton's experience in protecting American prosperity and security at home and abroad proves she is well-prepared to lead this nation, Donald Trump poses an unprecedented danger to our country and the entire world."

PHOTO of Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia courtesy of U.S. Senate