Jacob Solis/Nevada Sagebrush
Sen. Tim Kaine waves to the crowd that gathered on campus for his appearance on Sept. 22. Kaine spoke of climate change, student debt and beating Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Tim Kaine, Virginia senator and vice-presidential nominee made his first stop to the University of Nevada, Reno on Thursday, Sept. 22. He spoke to a crowd of several hundred students and community members where he emphasized the Clinton campaign’s goals and slammed Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Kaine kicked off his first appearance at the university by highlighting the importance of community policing as he discussed the riots in Charlotte, North Carolina, in addition to emphasizing the campaign’s major issues of climate change, women’s health, college affordability and paid family leave.
When discussing college affordability, Kaine reminded the audience that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Democratic candidate for president and a widely popular candidate in Washoe County, has worked with Clinton to create a plan for affordable college tuition.
“It is important to tell our students, you should be able to get a college education in this country debt free,”Kaine said. “And that is the commitment we are going to make, college should be debt free and tuition free for students who live in a household that makes less than $125,000 a year.”
Kaine bashed Trump for his climate change policy, which does not include any initiatives because the candidate believes climate change is a hoax and for his maternity leave plan that he says may lead to discrimination against women in the workplace.
Among a sea of “Better Together” signs, several Trump supporters gathered near the entrance to the Student Services Circle to vocalize their opposition to the Tim Kaine and the Clinton campaign.
“I am hoping to make people aware that Hillary is not for president,” said Caroline Smith, a protester outside of the Knowledge Center. “She hasn’t done anything for the last 30 years, and she’s not going to do anything as president.”
A Monmouth University survey from Sept. 14 showed Trump holding a 2-point lead over Clinton in Nevada, a result within the margin of error.
To the crowd of Nevada voters who will begin early voting on Oct. 22, Kaine discussed the importance of supporting “the underdog” despite comments Trump and others have made against Clinton.
“I know you, I’ve watched you,” Kaine said. “I’m over in Virginia, but I pay attention to politics, Nevada knows how to do this, you did it for Hillary in February, you’ve done it for Barack Obama, when folks said you wouldn’t, you know how to do this.”
Presidential candidates will face off in their first debate Monday, Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
The news desk can be reached at rspacek@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @TheSagebrush.
