Tim Kaine suggests Donald Trump is a 'maniac' who could cause a 'catastrophic' nuclear event

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Tim Kaine and Mike Pence.

Sen. Tim Kaine went off on Mike Pence during the vice presidential debate on Tuesday night.

During an exchange on foreign policy, Kaine, Hillary Clinton's running mate, cited former president Ronald Reagan while suggesting that a President Trump would be a "maniac" who could trigger a "catastrophic" nuclear event.

"I think that is who Governor Pence's running mate is," Kaine said.

Pence quickly rejected the notion, saying "Senator that was even beneath you and Hillary Clinton and that's pretty low." 

Kaine was referencing a June interview in which Trump suggested Japan should be able to acquire nuclear weapons. Critics have questioned whether Trump's apparent cavalier interest in nuclear weapons makes him unfit to be president. 

 Watch the exchange between Kaine and Pence below: