Tim Kaine actually said...

We have a rule in this committee and I think generally that nominees should not presume confirmation.

Kaine expresses concern about nominees presuming their confirmation in the committee.

01/02/2017

More Tim Kaine Quotes

Putin has cast aside both international law and his nation's own commitments to respect the territorial integrity of the Ukraine.

So the surprise was the timing rather than that they actually took this step.

I do not want to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, Mr. Chairman.

The national security challenges we have, they're the most--debt that we can control doesn't match up to an Iranian nuclear threat.