Richmond, VA - Former governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine campaigned yesterday in Southwest Virginia where he shared his comprehensive energy approach and his strategies for strengthening the economy and creating jobs, balancing the federal budget, and breaking through the political gridlock in Washington.
At the United Mine Workers of America fish fry in Castlewood, Kaine discussed his commitment to a comprehensive energy approach that utilizes all domestic sources in the cleanest way possible to position Virginia as a leader in the $2.3 trillion emerging clean energy industry. As governor, Kaine implemented Virginia’s first statewide energy plan, which called for conservation and efficiency improvements and expressed support for developing energy sources including cleaner coal, biofuels, wind, and natural gas off Virginia’s coast. Kaine was joined at the annual event by leaders including 9th District congressional candidate Anthony Flaccavento, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran, and state Senator Phillip Puckett.
"If you want to see what the future of coal looks like, if you want to see that coal can be innovative, just drive over to the new Virginia City power plant," said Kaine. "This facility shows the pro-innovation future of coal and that's what I'm going to battle for if I have the honor of serving as your next United States senator."
Kaine also expressed his commitment to protecting important programs like Social Security and Medicare which ensure a healthy and secure retirement for millions of American seniors. He rejected risky and radical reforms to these programs and contrasted his approach with the record of George Allen.
"We don't need people in the U.S. Senate who think partially privatizing Social Security is the way to go," said Kaine. "This program has worked. It has kept our seniors out of poverty and we need to fight to protect it. And we do not need people in the Senate who believe, along with Congressman Paul Ryan, that we should turn Medicare into a voucher program. My opponent has praised that Ryan voucher proposal. I will not push Medicate costs onto the shoulders of our seniors. I'll fight any proposal to do that and I'll battle to protect Medicare."
Kaine then held a meet and greet in Tazewell County where he discussed the clear choice in this election and ways that people can be a part of the grassroots effort that is supporting Kaine’s campaign for U.S. Senate. The day concluded in Blacksburg where Kaine addressed more than 200 enthusiastic supporters, sharing his economic strategies that focus on job creation through support for small businesses, investments in infrastructure, and training the world’s most talented workforce.
“Montgomery County understands what it takes to accelerate economic growth," said Kaine. "It's about helping small businesses succeed. It's about investments in infrastructure and education and workforce training. It's about brainpower. In this world today you win the talent race you win the economic race."
Since the beginning of the year, Kaine has held more than 90 roundtable discussions with small business owners, community leaders, women business leaders, veterans, and seniors. He has built his U.S. Senate campaign on the grassroots support of more than 40,000 donors and the strong efforts of nearly 10,000 volunteers who have made more than 1 million phone calls and knocked on more than 100,000 doors on his behalf.
###