'Speed dating' with Trump, Sanders in NH

MANCHESTER, N.H. Bernie Sanders never appeared in the flesh, but his face showed up front and center on some voters’ shirts.

Claudia Cass was sporting a black T-shirt with the presidential hopeful's face and an American Flag on Monday at the No Labels Problem Solver Convention in Manchester. Her boyfriend wore a bright orange shirt with the words “feel the Bern” printed across the chest.

The Laconia, New Hampshire, couple said they were happy to proclaim their love for the Vermont senator after hearing businessman Donald Trump address a crowd of nearly 2,000 registered voters.

“The thought of Trump getting elected scares me,” Cass said.

Sanders and Trump are two outsiders on the political spectrum. Sanders, an Independent, is vying for the Democratic nomination, while Trump, a real estate Tycoon from New York City, has surged in polls as the Republican front-runner.

The pair joined six other presidential candidates along with numerous politicians and celebrities for Monday’s forum at the Radisson in Manchester, New Hampshire. Sanders joined the convention via satellite from Las Vegas, where he will participate in the first Democratic debate on Tuesday.

No Labels is a national bipartisan organization formed by former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman. The group is focused on practical solutions to issues like job creation, balancing the federal budget, securing Social Security and Medicare and energy security.

Organizers described the event as a unique opportunity for voters to hear from candidates from both major parties.

"We're going to be speed dating with Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders," Lieberman told the crowd.

Aerosmith’s “Dream On” blared through the speakers as Trump made his way to the stage through a mass of people. A crew of about 10 security guards looked out at the crowd from the stage, and one protester was escorted out of the building, knocking over candidate merchandise tables on the way.

At the podium, Trump touted his success as a real estate mogul and said that America needs better leadership. He said he doesn't believe the 2016 election is about whether he is a nice person.

“I think people are fed up with incompetent politicians that don’t get things done," he said. “I think this is going to be an election that is largely based on competence.”

Trump said voters want their country back, and the crowd responded with applause.

Lauren Batchelder of Chester, New Hampshire, wasn’t clapping.

When it came time for Trump to answer questions, 18-year-old Batchelder stood up and said she doesn’t believe Trump supports women.

“If you’re elected president, will I make the same as a man? And will I do what I want with my body?” she asked.

Trump interrupted saying he cherishes and respects women.

“You’ll make the same if you do as good of a job,” he said. “And I happen to be pro-life.”

Batchelder said Trump's response wasn’t the answer for which she'd hoped.

Other forum attendees remained undecided about which candidate to support.

Lisa Alexander, an undeclared voter from Pelham, New Hampshire, said she’d consider voting for Trump, depending on whom he taps for his cabinet.

“If he’s going to run the country as a business, I don’t think that would be a good thing,” she said. “On the other hand, I think he’s smart enough to hire people in his cabinet who would do a good job with whatever weaknesses he has.”

Cole Kleitsch, who brought his three sons from Gladstone, New Jersey, said it is too early to choose a favorite candidate.

The trip was more about the indoor pool at the hotel and the fall foliage along New Hampshire's highways, he said. As a high school civics teacher, Kleitsch wants his sons to cultivate an early interest in politics.

Kleitsch's 11-year-old son, Jonah, sat next to him in the front row while his older boys roamed around the event center.

"For them this is a big show," he said, referring to his children. "They get to meet important people."

Kleitsch said he remains undecided about which candidate to support but said he looked forward to Sanders' speech.

"What an incredible way to deliver a message," he said of Sen. Sanders. "You can't fake authenticity."

Jim McConaha, a registered Republican from Concord, New Hampshire, wore a shiny "Chris Christie for President" button on his coat. He said he hasn't paid much attention to Sanders, but said he is happy to see the independent senator in the race because it makes for an interesting campaign.

"I think the feeling was that Hillary was the anointed in New Hampshire, and we don’t like anointees, so to see some competition is a good thing," McConaha said.

Rep. Peter Welch, D-VT, participated on a panel at a panel at Monday's forum. Away from the bustle of the convention, Welch told the Free Press he was happy to hear from multiple candidates outside of their natural constituency.

"When you run for president you're really reaching out to try to represent the entire country," Welch said. "Bernie showing up here along with Martin O'Malley and other candidates, they are making it clear they want to listen and reach beyond their base to ultimately succeed."

Welch noted Sanders and Trump have one thing in common — neither represent traditional politicians.

Welch, who has yet to endorse a presidential candidate, said he is proud of Sanders. He added that every candidate still faces challenges. He noted that it remains to be seen whether Sanders will be able to get support from minorities and whether Clinton will be able to move past the coverage of her email usage.

Sanders, Clinton, O'Malley, Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee will face off 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first Democratic debate.

Contact Haley Dover at 660-1850 or hdover@freepressmedia.com. Follow Haley on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HaleyRDover.