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Donald Trump Draws Strong Turnout At Nashua, NH Rally

NASHUA, N.H. (CBS/AP) -- Several Donald Trump supporters who had to be turned away from a crowded New Hampshire rally for the GOP front-runner say Trump's decision to skip this week's debate on Fox News did not hurt his standing.

Trump says holding a fundraiser for veterans in Iowa instead of attending the televised debate was the right thing to do.

"I did something that was very risky, and I think it turned out great because I'm on the front page of every paper," he said. "

He says $6 million was raised at the event, but it's unclear what veterans organization will receive the proceeds.

Paul St. Louis says he loves Trump because he's "not politically correct." The 57-year-old says he's voting for Trump in New Hampshire's Feb. 9 primary and, if he wins the nomination, in November.

Trump is spending Friday in New Hampshire before returning to Iowa ahead of Monday's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Inside the ballroom at the Radisson Hotel on Tara Boulevard Friday morning, Trump implored voters to turn out for him on primary day. He promised to improve the country and bring back jobs, but said "it all doesn't matter if you don't go and vote."

During his hour-long speech, Trump spent several minutes touting his polling numbers, criticizing a journalist with the New Hampshire Union Leader and taking aim at his Republican counterparts.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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