Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Kao took to the debate stage Wednesday night to discuss a variety of issues including immigration, education and diversity, and equity and inclusion (DEI) in the military. There was a conflict about this.
During an hour-long showdown at Norfolk State University, Kaine, who previously served as governor of Virginia and was Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016, asked why she should retain her seat in the Senate. argued about. The only debates in the campaign focused on national issues and issues that resonate in Virginia and Norfolk, the coastal city that is home to the nation's largest naval base.
When asked about the military's overall failure to meet recent recruiting goals, Sgt., a 25-year Navy veteran who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, said he has been slow to get COVID-19 vaccinations for service members. He criticized the mandate and the Biden-Harris administration's failed withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also criticized DEI efforts.
“Using drag queens to recruit for the Navy is not the kind of person we are looking for,” Cao said. “What we need are alpha males and alpha females who are willing to rip out their own innards, eat them, and ask for seconds. These are the young men and women who are going to win the war.”
Virginia school board pays 'wrongful termination' compensation to teacher who refused to use student's preferred pronouns
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (left) debates Republican challenger Hung Kao at Norfolk State University on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Nextstar/WAVY-TV via AP)
Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said blaming DEI is a “red herring” and the real challenge is to learn more about the benefits of the military, when only about 1% of the population serves in the military. He replied that his goal was to inform the American people of the United States. force. “We need to do a better job of communicating about the GI Bill and other benefits and the great leadership training you get in the military,” Cain said.
Meanwhile, Cao brought up the GI Bill when he challenged Cain on student loan forgiveness. The incumbent Democratic congressman said the Biden administration would “refund more than 1 million public servant loans in appreciation of the public services they provide, whether they work in the military, in education, or as front-line medical professionals.” I was exempted,” he praised. For local or state governments. ”
The host then posed a question to Cao about how Republican candidates would ease the burden, noting that more than 1 million Virginians owed federal student loans as of last October, according to a U.S. Department of Education report. It pointed out that they collectively owe $43 billion, impacting their ability to contribute. to the state's economy.
“If you're having trouble paying for school, get the GI Bill,” Cao said. “That means going out and doing military service. You get a scholarship as well as tuition. We need to improve education and we need to do it now. But… There's a problem with people like Sen. Kaine, who served 30 years in various capacities and 12 years in the U.S. Senate. Why haven’t you fixed it yet?”
Virginia Federal Aviation Administration contractor accused of spying for Iran, sharing personal information with U.S. airports and energy industry: Justice Department
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia, left) faces a challenge from Republican Hung Kao. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh | J. Scott Applewhite)
In response, Kaine said that between 2006 and 2010, when he was governor, Virginia was “the best state in the United States to raise children in,'' and “the best-governed state in the country and the best place to do business.'' It was selected as the “best state”.
“Oh, he's saying what he's going to do again,” Cao Cao retorted. “Let's be honest, of the 227 bills that Sen. Kaine proposed, only three passed…That's a 99% failure rate.”
“Check that tape. It's completely false,” Kane insisted.
However, Cao Cao said, “There are two truths in this world, right? Never wear a red shirt and go into a target store, and never go against an Asian when it comes to mathematics. Believe me.'' I retorted.
“His failure rate is 99%,” Cao added. “If I had defused the bomb with a 99% failure rate, I wouldn't be here right now.”
Hung Kao (left) speaks on stage at the invitation of former President Donald Trump during a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, on June 28, 2024. (Billy Schuurman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service)
The host also asked Cao, whose family fled Vietnam in the 1970s, whether he supported mass deportation of “all illegal immigrants.”
“When Vietnam fell, we had nowhere to go. Then America brought us and my parents waited in line for seven years. We all got citizenship. I tried for seven years to get what my father last had.'' [hung] When he died two years ago, his naturalization certificate was on his bed. I love this country so much that I took the risk of writing a blank check to the point of my life to protect this country for 25 years in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and other parts of the world,” Cao said. spoke. Don't seek the American Dream to come here. If you're not willing to follow American laws and embrace American culture, that's what I did. ”
“If you're here illegally, especially if you're a violent criminal, you need to leave,” Cao said, citing new Immigration and Customs Enforcement data provided to lawmakers last week.
“There are 13,000 convicted murderers and 16,000 convicted rapists that they have encountered on their watch. This is unacceptable. We must protect Americans every day. '' said Mr. Cao.
“If you come here illegally, you've basically messed up the whole system,” Cao said. “You can't jump the line. I mean, if you go to Costco and jump the line, what do you think will happen? If you're not going to follow the rules, you can't come here and expect the American dream.” American Law and embrace American culture. ”
“Deport those who are committing crimes now,” he added. “That's the first thing we need to do: secure our borders.”
Kaine said he has never supported mass amnesty but believes deporting the 10 million illegal immigrants who crossed the border during the Biden-Harris administration would “destroy the economy.” The host cited this number, and the Democratic candidates chimed in. He also criticized former President Donald Trump for urging Republicans to oppose the last Congressional border deal.
“We recently negotiated a very tough border agreement that puts a lot of resources at the border to stop illegal immigration,” Kaine said. “President Trump called on Republicans to oppose it, even though border unions supported it.”
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Walker, Michigan, Friday, September 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Another topic was President Trump's proposal to impose additional tariffs on imported goods.
“What we have to do is not tax our industry here,” Cao said. “What we have to do is tax other countries that bring goods in.”
Kane criticized President Trump's proposal. “President Trump's tariffs are a huge tax and will increase the price of all these imports,” Kaine said. “In that respect, I am very different from my opponent.”
Mr. Kaine's seat is definitely considered Democratic, so this race is likely to involve intense voting similar to national presidential elections, as well as Senate races in states such as Montana and Ohio, where Democratic incumbents face tough re-election bids. I don't see any close battles. According to the Associated Press, the bid.
Trump is backing Cao, according to the Associated Press, and political scientists believe that given Virginia's moderate voters, the distaste for Trump in 2020, and the attention Kaine received from voters. , the path to victory for Mr. Cao is narrow.
Kane won his last race in 2018 by a 16 percentage point margin, but said he was preparing for a tough race this year. The most recent Republican from Virginia to win a Senate seat was the late John Warner, an independent and centrist who was last elected in 2002.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Republicans won statewide office in Virginia. In 2021, Glenn Youngkin was elected governor by a two-point margin, along with Republican lieutenant governor and attorney general.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
