Donald Trump returns to New Hampshire after Republican debate
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire -- Fresh off another Republican debate, Donald Trump was soon back in New Hampshire Wednesday morning. But rather than give his typical unscripted stump speech this Veterans Day, Trump did something he hasn't done yet this cycle. He went right to the questions - and the spent the majority of his time hearing from voters.
Trump took part, for the second time, in Politics & Eggs, a forum in front of local business leaders that first started in 1996. More than 600 munched on scrambled eggs on Wednesday morning while listening to Trump take questions on everything from maritime commerce to the heroin epidemic in New Hampshire. Event organizers said that Trump's forum was the largest in its history.
It wasn't a crowd of Trump supporters, however.
He took a question on the militarization of police from 40-year-old Joel Gill. Gill mentioned in his question that many victims of police shootings look like him - African-American.
"I happen to think the police are not being treated properly in this country," Trump said. "I think that along with vets, along with certain groups, these are tremendous people."
He went on to say, "I know they can do even a better job. A lot of the genius has been taken away from them by politicians. I really do feel, and I think it's important that we cherish our police - that we respect our police and we let them do what they have to do."
The answer didn't satisfy Gill, who serves as the chair of foundations at The New Hampshire Institute of Art
"I think his answer what I expected," Gill said afterwards. "It was vapid. Lack of any sort of coherent understanding of the problem. His answer was I love the police. There was no real answer."
Gill also said that he would "absolutely not" vote for Trump.
Trump also gave his most specific answer to date on how to tackle the heroin epidemic in New Hampshire.
"We're going to battle it on two fronts," Trump said. "We're going to do the clinics. We're going to work it so they can do the clinics. Do it locally so they're locally based and run. That's not so different than the education. We're also going to close up the borders. The drugs are pouring in. When I say build a wall, I'm not just playing games."
In the 45-minute question and answer session, there was no mention of the man who has caught up to Trump in the polls, retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson or Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who received plaudits after another strong debate performance. Most of the audience was interested in what he had to say about issues.
He fielded a question on NASA funding. "You know in the old days it was great," Trump said. "Right now, we have bigger problems, you understand that. We gotta fix our potholes. We don't exactly have a lot of money. I love NASA, I love what it represents. I love what it stands for. I hope someday in the not too distant future we can get that done. Space is terrific."
"I think he's just pandering to what people want to hear," said Bob Brook, a 67-year-old retired software developer. "One of the questions I'd like to hear somebody ask is that Barack Obama had a lot of good ideas when he ran. But he couldn't get them through the Congress. What makes any of these candidates think they can get their ideas through a very contentious - even though all Republican majority - what makes anyone think that the ideas they have will get through?"
Trump heads to Iowa on Thursday where his slipping poll numbers show Carson in first place. In New Hampshire, where Trump was holding a dominant lead for months, the race has tightened. A recent WBUR poll shows Trump still in first place at 18 percent, but Carson hot on his heels at 16 percent.