You can tell the presidential race is close in North Carolina by the number of political rallies here. On Monday, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence was in Charlotte. Wednesday it was Tim Kaine's turn. The Democratic VP nominee was at Davidson College, where he emphasized differences between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
More than two thousand people were on the lawn outside Davidson's main classroom building as Kaine recapped Sunday's presidential debate. He said a sharp contrast was visible between Clinton and Trump on issues like taxes, civil rights, immigration - and climate change.
“197 nations in Paris signed a climate accord saying we all should do something about this. Donald Trump says climate change doesn't exist, that it's a hoax created by the Chinese,” Kaine said.
Kaine said he and Clinton believe in the science that says humans are responsible for climate change, and the country needs a leader willing to address it.
The Senator and former Virginia governor hit a few applause lines, like when he talked about voter ID and other voting law changes backed by Republicans. Courts have struck down voter ID laws in North Carolina and other states. But Kaine noted that similar laws still stand in other states, and he pledged to keep fighting.
“These equality and civil rights issues are deadly, deadly serious and if you care about 'em, then you've got a Clinton-Kaine ticket that's right there with you. We're gonna keep advancing on voting and participation,” he said, to a cheer and applause.
Kaine said North Carolina is one of a half-dozen states that could swing the presidential race - and he urged people to vote. Polls are leaning in Clinton's favor this week, but Kaine recalled his advice to Clinton when thinking about running.
"Just remember, you're the underdog until they call you the winner, because you're trying to do something that nobody has ever done - trying to be the first woman president of the United States. If it had been easy, there would've been a woman president of the United States,” Kaine said. That brought another cheer.
History - and a Clinton victory - were on the mind of Jessica Miller of Huntersville. It was her first political rally, though she says she's been rooting for Hillary Clinton since she was six years old.
“Just to watch her career as I've grown up, and as she's grown politically, and then for her to be the leader of the free world is absolutely a dream come true,” Miller said.
Other young voters also were there to see a man they believe will win on Nov. 8.
“We're just excited to see probably who's going to be the future vice president of the United States,” said Davidson College freshman Graham Hooten. “And I think it's a really cool opportunity that he's coming here to Davidson College to talk to college students about relevant topics.”
With early voting beginning in a week, the rallies aren't letting up. Trump will be in Charlotte on Friday.
