For Kaine, that is the legislative branch and the U.S. Senate, where he is up for re-election in 2018.

“There is a lot of work to do to make Congress the branch that it was meant to be.”

To that end, Kaine is all in — his campaign has already produced “Kaine 2018” bumper stickers.

“In terms of where there is the most need for good to be done, I think it’s here,” he said. “And I can’t tell you how good it’s made me feel the last couple of days, even as I was licking my wounds, just the kindness of the people on both sides of the aisle welcoming me.”

Kaine said he had built “very, very good relations, even in a short time, with Republican members in the Senate and some in the House side. … I kind of have a sense of vocation … of the work that needs to be done to improve this branch. And I think that’s my highest and best use.”

“And long as my health, my wife’s sufferance and Virginia voters will allow me, those are my three,” he said.

Kaine said he received a phone call from President Barack Obama after the election.