Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine visited campus today, speaking to over 5,000 audience members on the Clinton campaign, Trump’s tactics, and the future of education in the nation and at the university.
Collin Kelly, chair of the College Democrats at the university, kicked off the event, touching on student volunteer efforts for the Clinton campaign. Larry Deitch and Denise Ilitch, Regents of the University of Michigan, expanded on Kelly’s comments, focusing mainly on voter registration and the future of education specifically at the university.
When Kaine finally took the stage, introduced by junior, Shavon Edwards, the crowd erupted in cheers, waving blue “Stronger Together” posters, the slogan for Clinton’s campaign and title of the pair’s new book. Kaine explained that, as a nation, “we’re not dividing ourselves against one another,” but instead are acting as a unified, “upbeat, optimistic, patriotic… party and country.”
Kaine started off his speech describing how his time in the office, and his daily life, “has been built on the shoulders of women who support” him, and how thrilled he is to “support a strong woman and make history with the first woman president.” Later on in his speech, Kaine explained how the United States is ranked 75th in the world for percentage of women in office, with only 19%, as compared to other nations, such as Iraq at 26% and Afghanistan at 28%. He continued, stating, “It’s time to break the glass ceiling and show the world that equality means equality.”
Kaine then turned towards Trump’s campaign tactics, exclaiming, “We don’t need a commander in chief who disses our military… attacks immigrants… and tears apart our alliances.” He touched on many of Trump’s controversial moments in the media, including the critical comments towards the Muslim family of slain US soldier, Humayun Khan. Kaine claimed that if you’re silent towards “bigotry… racism… or xenophobia… you’re enabling it to grow and become more powerful.” He called upon the audience to use their voices to “call out [intolerable behavior] when we see it, and that’s how we defeat it.”
Furthermore, Kaine compared both campaigns’ higher education plans. He explained how the Clinton and Sanders campaigns have worked together to “guarantee, as a nation, that you can leave college in this country debt-free… something that we need to make a commitment to as a nation.” He also added that the Clinton campaign is working on a plan for families who earn less than $125,000 per year to receive free in-state tuition, stating, “If you want a pro-education president, then choose Hillary Clinton.”
In comparison, Kaine explained how Trump’s focus on higher education was centered around his controversial for-profit school, Trump University, touching on the allegations that the Trump illegally took charitable money and lied about using it to cover up the fraud accusations against Trump University.
Kaine ended his speech by telling the audience that, “you can be the difference.” He explained that, “Hillary’s trying to do something that no one has ever done before. If it were easy,” he continued on, “there would have already been a woman president of the United States.” He claimed that now is the time to stand up for the underdog and for the values of equality, and that with help from the public, “we will make history in the United States on November 8th.”
If you’re interested in volunteering for the Clinton Campaign, text “2016” to 47246.
Images courtesy of Emily Munch