HENDERSON, Nev. _ Donald Trump on Wednesday took credit for the widely praised debate performance of his running mate, Mike Pence, during the vice presidential debate, saying that it demonstrated his leadership skills.
"Mike Pence did an incredible and I'm getting a lot of credit because that's really my first so-called choice, that was my first hire," Trump told more than 7,000 supporters in an overflowing concert pavilion. "... Last night, America also got to look firsthand at my judgment and that was judgment you know you need, judgment for people, for deals."
Trump also praised Pence's performance, declaring that his running mate had the greatest victory in the history of vice presidential debates.
"He was phenomenal, he was cool, he was smart," Trump said. "Just take a look at him. He was meant to be doing what he is doing."
Trump made the remarks while campaigning in Nevada, which President Barack Obama twice won handily. This year, Trump and Hillary Clinton are effectively tied in an average of recent polls compiled by Real Clear Politics.
Trump also heaped praise on a Las Vegas paper and its owner, billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who Trump described as a "great guy" and a "great supporter of Israel."
Adelson, a major GOP donor, announced a little more than two weeks ago that he would spend $5 million on pro-Trump efforts. Although it's a major sum, it is a fraction of what he has spent in previous elections and also of what he's putting toward down-ballot races this year.
During the GOP primary, when Adelson was reportedly considering backing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump mocked him on Twitter.
