It’s taken Kaine a long time to venture into favorable terrain on social issues, but he finally found an opportunity. Part of Trump’s unique appeal with traditionally Democratic-leaning working class whites, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, has been railing against immigration and trade deals and has largely ditched the topics of abortion and same-sex marriage.
But Kaine has the unique opportunity to tie Pence, a traditional social conservative, to GOP social policies that have fallen out of favor. Clinton and Kaine could hold on to some undecided voters by reminding them what a conservative Supreme Court could mean for Roe v. Wade and LGBTQ rights. I was surprised we hadn’t yet heard more from Kaine in that regard.