A Saanich businessman and former Liberal candidate has found himself in the thick of the American election all because of his name – Tim Kane.
“It started, I think, Sunday night,” says Kane. “I was on Facebook and had received another post from someone who thought I was the U.S. vice presidential nominee.”
That nominee is Tim Kaine, not Tim Kane – but that hasn’t stopped many from mistaking the Saanich resident for the Democrat and former Virginia governor.
There are political ties to both: B.C.’s Tim Kane ran for the Federal Liberals in the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands in last year’s election.
His Facebook profile clearly shows he’s Canadian, but despite the many maple leafs on his page, the notes from Americans keep on coming.
“I posted on Facebook and said I’m surprised at how many of these I’m getting,” he said. “Some of them are really fun and polite and congratulatory, and others are a little less polite. Some of them are almost threatening.”
That includes notes from Donald Trump supporters who’ve sent Kane notes like “You and your criminal Hillary Clinton and her husband have ruined the world.”
But he’s also received more encouraging notes from fans of Clinton’s running mate, like Barbara in Alabama who said “Hit him hard. Hate Trumpy.”
Another man from England sent Kane a picture of himself with a title “I’m with Tim,” clearly poking fun at Hillary Clinton’s “I’m With Her” campaign slogan.
One woman’s note stands out from the rest, though: “I saw you on the news and just had to tell you I find you incredibly handsome.”
“So this is a woman with some real taste, there’s no question,” Kane says.
He’s not upset at being confused with the American Tim Kaine, saying as a Liberal he feels he has no choice but to support Hillary Clinton, her vice presidential nominee and the U.S. Democratic Party.
“Especially with Donald Trump, I really worry about him and I think the concerns are real,” he said.
As for his own political aspirations, Kane says he’s been encouraged to run once again in 2019 – and admitted any future campaigns could get a boost from the case of mistaken identity.
“If I have the strength and energy, I’ll consider it.”
