Kaine rips Trump on military comments

Donald Trump's repeated criticism of the American military, including his remarks Tuesday night in which he appeared to allude to American military members in Iraq stealing U.S. government funds or engaged in other illegal behavior, make Sen. Tim Kaine "want to go through the screen and shake the guy," the Virginia Democrat and potential Hillary Clinton running mate said Wednesday.

"Yesterday was the birthday of the Army. He insinuated that American soldiers were stealing money in Iraq. He said that," Kaine remarked during an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."


During a Tuesday night rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, less than 100 miles away from Fort Bragg, Trump said, "Iraq, crooked as hell. How about bringing baskets of money — millions and millions of dollars — and handing it out? I want to know who were the soldiers that had that job, because I think they’re living very well right now, whoever they may be.”

Trump's campaign said that the presumptive Republican nominee's remarks were in reference to Iraqi soldiers and not Americans, though according to a 2015 report from the Center for Public Integrity, there have been multiple reported instances of "at least 115 enlisted personnel and military officers convicted since 2005 of committing theft, bribery, and contract-rigging crimes valued at $52 million during their deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq," Slate reported last year.

"Trump has been going around saying repeatedly the American military is a disaster. That's a direct quote," said Kaine, noting that he is a member of the Armed Services Committee and that "there's 1.6 million people who serve in the military of this country voluntarily during a time of war, and one of them is one of my kids."

"When I hear Donald Trump say the American military is a disaster, I want to go through the screen and shake the guy," Kaine said. "We do not need a commander in chief who is going to talk about our troops with disrespect and contempt. We ought to have a commander in chief who talks about our troops with respect and gratitude. That's why Secretary Clinton is down in Hampton today meeting with veterans and military families."

Kaine did not directly respond when asked whether the Clinton campaign has contacted him about the vice presidential slot, saying only, "I am playing one role and only one role for the Clinton campaign right now and that's try to help her win Virginia, 'cause if she wins Virginia, she's going to be president."

"The only role I'm playing is trying to help win Virginia, and that's plenty enough work for me," Kaine said.