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Clinton follows debate with economic talk in Raleigh

A day after trading jabs with Republican rival Donald Trump during their first head-to-head debate, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was in Raleigh Tuesday to speak on the economy at Wake Technical Community College.

Posted Updated

By
Matthew Burns
and
Laura Leslie
RALEIGH, N.C. — A day after trading jabs with Republican rival Donald Trump during their first head-to-head debate, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was in Raleigh Tuesday to speak on the economy.

But Clinton got in a few more barbs at Trump's expense during her 35-minute appearance at Wake Technical Community College, mocking his stance that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by China and blasting his pride at avoiding paying income tax and his glee at bargains he picked up after the housing market collapsed at the start of the recession almost a decade ago.

"What kind of person would want to root for 9 million families losing their homes? One who should never be president is that answer to that question," she said.

Clinton hit on familiar talking points of backing a plan so people could attend public colleges debt-free or refinance existing student loans at lower interest rates, raising the minimum wage, making child care more affordable and encouraging companies to share their profits with workers. She noted that billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who was a guest of hers at Monday night's debate, made 300 of his employees instant millionaires when he shared the profits made from the sale of one of his companies.

"I want us to have an economy that works for everyone – to grow the economy, to create more jobs – but I also want a fairer economy," she said.

She said she plans to "go where the money is, and the money is at the top" to finance her economic plan, noting corporations and the wealthiest individuals need to pay their fair share to ensure America works.

"Our job is to give the maximum opportunities to the maximum number of Americans," she said. "Let's be a government for the struggling, the striving and the successful."

Polls taken just after the debate show younger voters thought Clinton was the winner, and many said it made them more likely to vote for her.

"I think her maintaining a calm exterior in the face of being interrupted 70 times – 70! Like how unpresidential is that?" said Duke University student Mellie Bonanno

Other young voters were unimpressed. Wake Tech student Josiah Vanderkin and Campbell University student Ben McNair said they don't like either candidate, and McNair is planning to leave the presidential race blank on his ballot.

"I'll probably vote in the local elections, but the general election – either way it goes, I don't think it'll be good," McNair said.

Clinton also criticized Gov. Pat McCrory and Republican legislative leaders for their support of House Bill 2, which prohibits anti-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people in North Carolina, and their defense of the state's voter ID law, which a court found unconstitutional.

"House Bill 2 has hurt this state, but more than that, it's hurt people," she said. "It has sent a message to so many people that, well, you're not really wanted. You're not really part of us. I think the American dream is big enough for everyone."

She encouraged people to register to vote and exercise their right by Nov. 8 to demonstrate the importance of democracy.

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