Tim Kaine faced down multiple questions about the lack of transparency and press access coming from the top of the ticket. | AP Photo Media scoff at Kaine's defense of Clinton's press access

Tim Kaine went on a media blitz Thursday morning to attack Donald Trump’s renewed hardline immigration stance, but found himself forced to defend Hillary Clinton’s own lack of media accessibility.

Appearing on five shows, Kaine faced down multiple questions about the lack of transparency and press access coming from the top of the ticket — and was met with incredulity as he tried to push back.


During Kaine's "CBS This Morning" hit from Boston, co-anchor DeMarco Morgan pointed out that Trump and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto opened up the floor for questions after their statements, and asked whether Clinton would consider doing the same.

The Democratic nominee has faced criticism from both Republicans and the media at large for not having held a traditional press conference since last December. As of Thursday, that meant 271 days and counting without Clinton facing reporters in a similar setting to which Trump regularly avails himself.

"You see Hillary take questions from reporters every day. She does—she talks to the press everywhere she goes," Kaine responded.

Co-anchor Norah O'Donnell, off-screen, asked, "Really?"

"That's not true - no matter how you count her availabilities," CNN reporter Dan Merica tweeted, cc'ing traveling press secretary Nick Merrill.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller retweeted the message.

"I bet the reporters who follow Clinton 'everywhere she goes' would beg to differ with Tim Kaine's assertion here," The Washington Post's Philip Rucker wrote, to which Bloomberg Politics' Jennifer Epstein responded, "We do."

Kaine deemed a question-and-answer session conducted at last month's joint convention of the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists as a "press conference," taking issue with the characterization of it not being one.

"But that was the first time in a long time, senator," Morgan responded. "She doesn't do it that often."

Kaine quibbled with that interpretation.

"I don't see what the massive difference is between a press conference and talking to the press everywhere you go," the Virginia senator said. "She talks to the press a lot. And I've been with her when she has talked to the press."

As O'Donnell pointed out that it had been more than 270 days since her last formal news conference, Kaine said the NABJ/NAHJ event "counts."

"They are a legitimate group and a press conference with them counts," Kaine responded.

When O'Donnell followed up asking why the Clinton campaign has not allowed journalists to accompany her on the campaign plane, Kaine suggested that would change after Labor Day.

"I don't even think Donald Trump allowed the American press to go with him yesterday when he went to Mexico," Kaine remarked, calling the decision not to bring the press pool to Mexico "highly unusual."

Wrapping the exchange, co-anchor Josh Elliott said, "Well, we do look forward to that next press conference. Senator Tim Kaine, we appreciate the time this morning."

"Great," Kaine nodded. "Good to be with you guys. Thanks."

