Did Tim Kaine cost Hillary votes

[Pandaguineapig]

He didn't cost her any votes, but didn't get her any either (outside of maybe a few in the Richmond area). He was the ultimate safe choice, a darling of the beltway media who would get glowing profiles from the WaPo and NYT after he was picked but was then immediately forgotten. Were there better potential picks? probably, but even his supposed mishaps (not initially being in line with the Clinton policy on the Hyde amendment, or his weak debate performance against Pence) didn't move any votes.

[Pandaguineapig]

While they may be important in sending a signal of what a campaign stands for, or in shoring up the weaknesses of the nominee, running mates rarely cause great movement one way or another. Even vp picks that are acknowledged to have been terrible in hindsight (like Edwards or Palin) likely didn't cost their respective tickets any states