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Tim Kaine talks to crowd at Sheet Metal Workers hall in South Philly

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine told supporters at a South Philadelphia union hall Wednesday night that his and Hillary Clinton's campaign is one of underdogs, and encouraged everyone to vote for them in November.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine makes a campaign stop at Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 19 Hall, where he faced a sympathetic, cheering crowd.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine makes a campaign stop at Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 19 Hall, where he faced a sympathetic, cheering crowd.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine told supporters at a South Philadelphia union hall Wednesday night that his and Hillary Clinton's campaign is one of underdogs, and encouraged everyone to vote for them in November.

He called the race close and said anything can happen in the 34 days until the election.

"Hillary Clinton has been an underdog again and again and again throughout her life," he said to about 300 people at Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Union Hall. "Has anyone in this room had someone look them in the face and say, 'I don't think you will be able to do this. This isn't for you. The time isn't right for you?' "

Kaine, of Virginia, took the stage less than 24 hours after his prime-time televised debate with Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence. On Wednesday night, Kaine seemed more relaxed than he had been on TV and joked about the debate, saying even his wife told him he interrupted too much.

"The debate was a little feisty," Kaine said with a slight laugh. "I am Irish."

During the debate, Kaine repeatedly attacked Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, for not releasing his tax returns and questioning President Obama's birthplace, among other issues.

Kaine downplayed that self-described feisty character as he recapped the debate Wednesday by saying that "we talked about" immigration reform, criminal justice and women's health.

On the last, he drew loud applause when he said: "At the end of the day, we just have to trust women."

Playing to his working-class audience and sticking to message, Kaine said a Clinton presidency would work toward increasing the federal minimum wage, equal pay for women, and helping small businesses.

He said that under Clinton's plan taxpayers earning $200,000 or less would not see an increase in their taxes.

Taxes would increase, however, for the "wealthiest" and "businesses that have done well" in order to pay for small business tax relief and a child-care plan, he said.

Kaine criticized Trump and Pence's tax plan, saying it would give "massive tax breaks to the people at the tip-top."

He also used a few of the Clinton campaign's signature phrases, including the comparison between Clinton and Trump when it comes to jobs: "That is the difference between a 'You are hired' president and 'You are fired' president."

Louise Jordan, a special education liaison at Lincoln High School and an executive board member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said she enjoyed Kaine's call, like Clinton, to bring everyone together.

"We need a president and vice president that believe in us and know we are the strength of this country," Jordan said.

Jordan was joined by several PFT members as well as other unions' members - electricians, service employees, and, of course, the sheet metal workers whose hall it is.

Before he left, Kaine reminded that Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania.

"We're going to celebrate making history. Adelante, hasta la victoria," he said, the last part Spanish for "Forward, until victory." "Thanks, Philly, go get them."

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