Trump starts looking to second debate, claims first one was 'rigged'

David Jackson, USA TODAY

September 29, 2016

Donald Trump continues to claim victory in Monday's debate with Hillary Clinton, 

though on Thursday he described the encounter as "rigged" and made clear he is 

preparing for round two in ten days.

"I had to put up with the anchor and fight the anchor all the time on everything I said," Trump told backers in New Hampshire. "What a rigged deal."

Lester Holt of NBC News moderated the event held at Hofstra University in 

Hempstead, N.Y.; Trump complimented Holt's performance right after the debate, 

but has criticized him in the days since.

The Republican nominee also cited "years and decades of Clinton corruption and scandal," and made reference to the Monica Lewinsky incident that led to the impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton — presumably potential topics for future debates.

"Impeachment for lying ... impeachment for lying," Trump said. "Remember that? Impeach."

The New York businessman again cited Internet polls that favored him after Monday night's debate, though other surveys and political analysts gave the nod to Clinton.

Trump aides reportedly are urging him to put in more preparation ahead of the next encounter with Clinton, an Oct. 9 town hall debate in St. Louis.

Trump reached out to supporters in an email, asking them for "input" on how to prepare.

"The next debate against Hillary Clinton is just 10 days away," he said in an email. "I need your immediate feedback from the first debate in order to win the second one."

The Trump advance schedule said Sunday would be set aside for debate preparation.

Clinton aides also declared victory after the debate, saying among other things that the former secretary of State exposed Trump's disparaging comments about women, including remarks about the weight of a former Miss Universe. On Thursday, the Clinton campaign touted a Los Angeles Times report that employees at a Trump golf course in California say he wanted to fire women who weren't "pretty enough."

Some supporters of Trump want him to him to use future debates to bring up former president Clinton's history with women, including Lewinsky.

The Clinton campaign, meanwhile, warned Trump that bringing up these issues would be "a mistake" that would "backfire."

Asked about the prospect on Thursday, Clinton told reporters, “I’m not going to comment on how he runs his campaign," and "you'll be able to see" what happens in future debates.

A third Clinton-Trump debate is set for Oct. 19 in Las Vegas.

Both campaigns are waiting to see if the Monday debate moved the polls in a significant way, including in the key state of New Hampshire. Trump probably needs to carry the Granite State if he is to win the 270 electoral votes necessary to capture the White House.

Visiting the state a day after Clinton campaigned there with Democratic primary opponent Bernie Sanders, Trump noted that the state gave him his first victory of the Republican nomination process.

"This is where it all started," Trump said.

The GOP nominee also cited a local issue that played big during February's New Hampshire contest, a spike in heroin use.

"We're going to stop the poison from coming in," Trump said. "We're going to do a real job for the state of New Hampshire."

While expressing confidence, Trump urged New Hampshire residents to make sure they vote in the Nov. 8 election.

"Can you believe it?" Trump said. "40 days."