Clinton Pledges Unity in Pennsylvania, Saying 'Anger Is Not a Plan'

Clinton Pledges Unity in PA "Anger is not a plan"

ByABC News
October 22, 2016, 8:53 PM

— -- Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her running mate Sen. Tim Kaine campaigned together in the battleground state of Pennsylvania today, boasting about their campaign's momentum and giving a glimpse of how the two, if elected, would approach uniting the country after an election year of divisive and heated rhetoric.

"I know there are a lot of people right here in Pennsylvania who have a lot of questions. They want to know how do we move forward better?” Clinton said. "They are upset about what they see happening around them. I get that. But anger is not a plan.”

Clinton talked about what she thinks is motivating Donald Trump's base and asked the crowd of 1,800, "If you do know people who are thinking about voting for our opponent -- well, you may. I hope you will stage an intervention."

The two walked on stage together, with Kaine often resting his hand on Clinton's back as the two smiled, waved and fist-pumped. This was their first campaign appearance together since Labor Day. At one point during her remarks, Clinton acknowledged Trump's language that if he were president, she would be in jail.

"You know, every time Donald Trump says he wants to jail his opponent, meaning me, I think to myself, you know, we don't do that in America," she said. "We actually have laws and courts and an independent judiciary."

Kaine invoked Trump's rigged election claims and tailored it to Pennsylvania, saying the Republican nominee will never accept responsibility.

"It's got to be somebody else's fault. Just like when 'The Apprentice' didn't win an Emmy award one year. And he said it was clearly rigged. This guy clearly can't take responsibility for anything," Kaine said.

The Virginia senator also emphasized the historical context of the election, using fresh lines to describe the significance of Clinton becoming the first woman president if she is elected.

"Hillary's mom was born before women had the right to vote. And Hillary's daughter Chelsea will now get to vote for her mom to be president," Kaine said. "That is the kind of generational progress that this country holds for all of us when we do our best work."

Both Clinton and her running mate emphasized their momentum in traditionally red states like Arizona. The campaign has dispatched top surrogates like first lady Michelle Obama to Arizona and said states like Utah may also be winnable.

"I want to tell you this in states where early voting has already begun we are already seeing huge spikes at the polls in activity behind our ticket. Support for the Clinton-Kaine ticket is surging even in red states like Arizona," Kaine said as he warmed up the crowd for Clinton.

With the tight Senate race in Pennsylvania between Democrat Katie McGinty and Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Toomey, the Democratic nominee tied Toomey to Trump in her remarks focusing on the down-ballot race.

"I think it's clear when you look at Katie's opponent. He still refuses to stand up to Donald Trump. Now, you know, a lot of Republicans have. They have had the grit and the guts to stand up and say he does not represent me," Clinton said. "How much more does Pat Toomey need to hear? If he doesn't have the courage to stand up to Donald Trump after this, can you be sure he'll stand up for you when it counts against powerful interests?"

Clinton and Kaine told reporters Saturday that they will spend the final 17 days of the campaign emphasizing the importance of electing Democrats down the ballot and "giving people something to vote for, not just against." Clinton also said she and Kaine will be "making our closing argument."

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