7/17/15, "Trump continues straightforward campaigning in front of overflow Laconia crowd," Concord Monitor, Jack Rooney
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| Laconia, NH, 7/16/15, Monitor photos |
"In front of an overflow crowd in Laconia
on Thursday evening, Donald Trump continued to unapologetically tout his
deal-making ability, calling the recent nuclear agreement with Iran “a
disaster.” And after filing his personal financial disclosure with the
Federal Election Commission earlier this week, he was quick to highlight
his net worth and self-funded campaign.
“So Jeb Bush raised $100 million,” Trump
said, as the crowd booed the name of the former Florida governor and
fellow Republican candidate. “He’s totally in favor of Common Core, he’s
totally weak on immigration. The last thing we need is another Bush. So
what does 100 million mean? A hundred million means he’s doing favors
for so many people. It means lobbyists, it means special interests, it
means donors.”
“Now Hillary raised $46 million – a lot
of money,” he said, targeting the Democratic candidate. “The good news
is how much do I have? Ten billion.”
Trump took the stage about 6:30 p.m., as the sun began to set over Lake Winnipesaukee, and he was just heating up. Literally.
The air conditioner and two ceiling fans
in the Weirs Community Center were no match for the heat generated by
the crowd that campaign officials estimated at 500 inside the building,
with at least another 500 outside, where speakers were set up so the
overflow crowd could hear Trump’s speech and question-and-answer
session. Some in the audience used Trump bumper stickers and pamphlets
as fans while volunteers passed out water bottles, and midway through
his remarks, Trump matted his forehead with a handkerchief.
“It’s
hot in here,” he said, wiping the sweat from his face. “You know, they
actually have air conditioning, but it wasn’t meant for this. But I’m in
New Hampshire, and I love New Hampshire.”
In his roughly 20-minute speech, Trump
also reiterated his tough stance on illegal immigration, which spawned
recent controversy and led to a number of companies severing ties with
the entrepreneur and former reality TV star.
“And just so you know, I’ve been proven
right over the last two weeks,” Trump said of his views on immigration.
“I took a lot of abuse two weeks ago. Now they’re all saying, ‘Trump was
right.’ I’m getting calls from people that were really critical. Now
everybody is saying I was right.”
“And I’m for immigration,” he continued.
“We all are. We’re all sort of there at one point, whether it’s our
parents. But when people come in illegally? No way, it’s not going to
happen.”
Trump again said he has an excellent
relationship with Mexico, but criticized American leaders for not being
able to effectively negotiate with other countries like Mexico and
China.
“I love Mexico. I love the Mexican
people,” he said. “The problem with Mexico is that their leaders and
their negotiators are much smarter and sharper and more cunning than
ours. And we can’t have that. I respect them. I respect China. I’d make a
fortune with China and Mexico.”
“We need leadership that’s smart,” he
continued. “We have to bring back our jobs, we have to bring back our
manufacturing from many countries. We don’t make any good deals. We have
people that are there for political reasons. They’re there because they
made contributions.”
After his remarks, Trump took questions
from the audience for another 15 minutes on topics including how he
would better take care of military veterans and strengthen the armed
forces, how he would help small businesses and how to solve crisis
situations in urban America.
Trump, who sits in first place in the
crowded Republican field according to some recent national polls, exited
the building in the rear, where the overflow crowd eagerly awaited him.
Patty Selig of Laconia was part of that crowd, and said Trump’s
charisma and straightforward style appeal to her, and other New
Hampshire voters.
“What he said, people are thinking, and
people are afraid to say it,” Selig said of Trump’s immigration views.
“A lot of the other candidates were afraid to say it. And other
Republican candidates are crucifying him because of what he said. But
now, listening, it’s coming around and he brought it to the forefront.
People are talking about it now, and they weren’t before, it was kind of
pushed under the carpet. I think that’s important.”
Selig’s friend, Phyllis Veazley, also of
Laconia, said hearing Trump speak in person gave a much different
perspective than the television clips that dominated much of the
national media following Trump’s initial immigration remarks. That
perspective, Selig said, is one of the best and unique parts about New
Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary.
“The beauty of living in New Hampshire
during the primary and when the candidates are coming is in what other
state do you have the ability to shake hands and talk with them and meet
them?” Selig said. “It’s very, very important. It really is. And it
gives you a chance to find out what they stand for, what their platforms
are, and how do they feel about this country? It’s very, very
important.”
The event was Trump’s second campaign
stop in New Hampshire since officially declaring his candidacy June 16,
and his first Granite State appearance since June 17. Trump is scheduled
to appear in Arkansas on Friday, Iowa on Saturday and South Carolina on
Tuesday."
Images above by Concord Monitor staff.
Images above by Concord Monitor staff.
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