RALEIGH, N.C. _ Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke to a capacity crowd at Wake Tech Community College's gym Tuesday afternoon _ her first public appearance following Monday's debate with Republican Donald Trump.
The audience cheered as she mentioned the debate.
"Did anybody see that debate last night?" she said. "Oh yes _ one down, two to go."
Clinton criticized Trump's performance in the debate, which was the first of three between the presidential contenders. "He made very clear that he didn't prepare for that debate," she said, noting that he was critical of her decision to take time out from campaign appearances to get ready. "Just trying to keep track of everything he says took a lot of time."
Clinton said many of Trump's debate comments didn't make sense. "What I've heard from my opponent is dangerously incoherent," she said, referring to his take on foreign policy issues. "It's unclear exactly what he's saying."
She pointed to Trump's admission that he'd cheered for the housing crisis. "That's called business," he responded when Clinton brought up the subject.
"I don't think I'd make a big bragging point about that," Clinton told the Raleigh crowd. "He basically said yeah, if the housing market crashes, I can go in and buy stuff and make more money. What kind of person would want to root for 9 million families to lose their homes?"
Clinton also repeated her debate claim that Trump does not appear to pay federal taxes, again calling on the billionaire to release his tax returns.
"He actually bragged about gaming the system to get out of paying his fair share of taxes," she said as the crowd booed. "There's a strong probability he hasn't paid federal taxes a lot of years. He probably hasn't paid a penny to support our vets, or our troops or our schools."
Clinton criticized North Carolina's Republican-sponsored voter ID law, which was recently struck down by a federal court.
She said the state's leaders did "everything they could to make voting harder for people."
"They were pretty blatant about it _ make it harder for people of color, make it harder for the elderly, make it harder for the young," she said. "Some of that's been rolled back because it was so wrong, and I would argue, unconstitutional."
While awaiting Clinton's arrival, the crowd heard from U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Ross, former Gov. Jim Hunt and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane.
McFarlane, who is registered to vote as unaffiliated, endorsed Clinton for the first time during her speech. Hunt, a Democrat who led North Carolina in the 1990s, said Trump cannot be allowed to win the election.
"Donald Trump is dangerous," he said. "We cannot trust him with the future of our 10 grandchildren."
Dozens of people were turned away from the rally and had to watch the speech from an overflow room. Tammy Hall, who waited outside the gym with a group of friends, said she watched the debate and thought Clinton performed "very well." She added that she hasn't always been Clinton's biggest fan, but said that she has her vote in this election.
"She has more experience than Donald Trump," Hall, of Raleigh, said. She noted that she thinks Clinton will win not just the state, but also the White House.
Sarah Mason stood outside holding her 6-month-old daughter _ who she said she brought so that she could be "a part of history."
"There is so much at stake in this election," Mason, 34, said. "I'm a big believer in what Hillary has been saying _ that words matter."
Ahead of the Clinton speech, North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes issued a statement criticizing the visit.
"Clinton is in the Old North State in an attempt to energize North Carolina voters but they won't be fooled," Hayes said. "While our GOP leaders grew our state's economy by lowering taxes and creating jobs, Hillary Clinton will again today discuss her economic plan, which will increase taxes, cut jobs and implement more of the same failed policies that have hurt the American people over the last eight years."
