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Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who was an early supporter of Barack Obama in 2008, endorsed Hillary Clinton for president on Saturday, though the former first lady and secretary of state has not said she'll run.

SenatorTim KaineofVirginiaon Saturday endorsedHillaryClintonfor president, even though the former secretary of state has not announced whether she will seek theWhite Housein 2016.

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Kaine, who backedBarack Obamawhen he beatClintonfor the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, announced his support on Twitter and at breakfast meeting of the South Carolina Women's Democratic Council in Columbia,South Carolina.

"Today I encouragedHillaryClintonto run for president & pledged my support for her candidacy if she does," Kaine said in a tweet that linked to his remarks on http://www.readyforhillary.com, website of one of the most prominent pro-Clintonorganizations.

"She understands the challenges facing Americans from all walks of life and has the compassion and skill necessary to help improve our everyday lives," Kaine, former governor ofVirginia,said in remarks prepared for the breakfast meeting, according to the website.

Kaine addedClinton's work as secretary of state, senator from New York and first lady during her husbandBillClinton's presidency also give her a deep background on foreign policy.

Polls taken this year showClintonwith an advantage of more than 50 percentage points over other potential Democratic candidates, including Vice PresidentJoe Biden.

Clintonsaid in April she was thinking about running in 2016 and was "going to continue to think about it for a while."

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She hasn't announced, but no matter, Tim Kaine endorses Hillary Clinton