It was always going to be Kaine, and it is a solid pick for a lot of very good reasons. Kaine has been a progressive for his entire career - from pursuing redline cases in lending to Mayor of Richmond to Governor to Senator. Yes, he supported TPP and yes he sought deregulation of local banks, but he has a 100% pro-choice record and an "F"from the NRA. He's been a minorities advocate his entire career.

Kaine contrasts well against Pence and will be billed as ready to take over as President. He is relatively young (58) and will not scare off middle-of-the-road voters. He is steady, thoughtful, personable and smart. Sanders and Warren are on board and the Convention will be a good one. Expect big roles for Booker, Warren, and Sanders to stir up the progressive wing of the party. Who would have been a better pick?

A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich