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‘Stronger’ in State

Kaine stumps for Clinton at Penn State

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine talks to visitors at the Penn State Berkey Creamery, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 in University Park, Pa. Kaine enjoyed a dish of Autumn Delight. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

UNIVERSITY PARK — Virginia Senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine drew a large crowd at the HUB-Robeson Center on Friday at the Pennsylvania State University.

Kaine was on hand to lay out running mate Hillary Clinton’s platform and compare the two visions set forth by each major party during their respective campaigns.

With the election 17 days away, polls have Clinton with a comfortable lead in Pennsylvania as well as several other states, seen as must-wins by election pundits. No president has won the White House without neighboring Ohio since John F. Kennedy, and some polls have the race between Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump in a statistical dead heat in the Buckeye state.

Kaine said Clinton showed a great deal of grace and integrity while under pressure during all three debates and “she won all three of them.”

Kaine spoke a great deal about equality for women, minorities, people with disabilities and immigrants, while drawing sharp contrasts to how Trump’s insults during the course of the campaign have seemingly alienated these groups of people.

“Equality is a basic fundamental right … equality is our North Star,” he said.

Kaine said Trump does not view women as equals and cited accusations made by several women who claim the GOP nominee made unwanted advances towards them, as well as a comment made during the last debate when Trump called Clinton a “nasty woman.”

“That’s not the way a real man acts,” he said.

Kaine also highlighted how important the democratic principles of this country are and lashed out at Trump for stating that he would only honor the election results if he wins the election. This particular statement brought considerable boos from the crowd.

Kaine said one of the pillars of democracy in this country is the “peaceful transition of power … we are very fortunate to have that.”

“Donald Trump will not defend the democratic traditions of this country,” he said.

Kaine also went after Trump and his reluctance to acknowledge what the FBI and other intelligence agencies have publicly stated, that Russia is actively trying to disrupt and undermine the election.

When it came to a comment Trump made in regard to whether or not the GOP candidate paid taxes, the issue struck close to home for Kaine, who said he has a son in the Marine Corps which — like all branches of the military — receives funding from taxes.

Kaine said Trump was “stiffing” veterans, the military, teachers, funding for mental health and other items funded through the use of taxes.

Kaine also talked about why he and Clinton are running for office, pointing out their long history of public service.

“Forty years of working for families and children,” Kaine said of his running mate.

Kaine said he grew up in a Catholic household that instilled in him the desire to serve, which is why he was a missionary in Honduras and would later run for and serve as a mayor, governor and senator in Virginia.

Kaine talked about some policy issues as well, and touted Clinton’s plan to put together a comprehensive jobs bill during her first 100 days in office. That bill would focus on investing in manufacturing and clean energy, with more funding for career and technology training, as well as increase the minimum wage.

“Get an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top,” he said.

When Kaine spoke of the economy, he said President Barack Obama did not get enough credit for stemming the tide of the most recent recession, but also acknowledged “we have a long way to go.”

In addition, Kaine spoke about the need to make healthcare and education more affordable. He said we are stuck in the past and need to help provide more opportunities for higher education.

“Just about everyone needs some more education after high school … college should be debt free, “ Kaine said, adding that he and Clinton are advocating for tuition-free education for families making less than $100,000 a year.

“We need to help those with student loan debt, it weakens the economy,” he added.

Kaine also touched on the issue of climate change and said “(It’s) not a complicated notion to believe in science.” He went on to praise Obama’s work in addressing climate change, particularly the Paris Agreement, which is an effort designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Over 190 nations signed the agreement.

He also said Trump doesn’t believe in climate change, instead calling it a “hoax created by China.”

Kaine closed out his remarks by rehashing the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, who helped a man who was badly hurt on the side of the road.

“There are a lot of people on the side of the road,” he said. “Hillary Clinton is not someone who walks on by … that’s what this election is about.”

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