Poll: Trump Leading Clinton By 2 Points In Florida
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump got some good news in the crucial swing state of Florida on Wednesday.
A new poll has Trump leading Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by two points -- 45 to 43 percent. That's within the margin of error.
President Barack Obama won Florida in 2012, but just barely, by carrying the Sunshine State by less than one point.
Trump took a break from campaigning Wednesday morning to formally open his new hotel in Washington, D.C. as Clinton holds two events in Florida.
Trump said at the hotel's grand opening that "today is a metaphor for what we can accomplish for this country," suggesting that the successful construction of the hotel shows the kind of work he could do as president.
"My theme today is five words: 'Under budget' and 'ahead of schedule,'" he said. "That's what we did."
He said that "with the notable exception of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this is the most coveted piece of real estate in Washington, DC.''
Trump struck an unusually optimistic note, saying there is "nothing we cannot accomplish'' and that the "United States is great.'' That's a change from his regular claim that he needs to "Make America Great Again.''
He said he has "lived a great life and now I want to give back to the country that has given me so much.''
The Republican presidential nominee has received criticism for taking hours out of his campaign schedule Wednesday to attend the opening. Less than two weeks remain before Election Day.
Trump took offense when he was asked why he stepped away from the campaign trail.
"For you to ask me that question is actually very insulting, because Hillary Clinton does one stop and then goes home and sleeps, yet you'll ask me that question. I think it's a very rude question, to be honest with you," Trump said.
He said he appeared at the grand opening ceremony of his new hotel "to be there'' for his family and will resume campaigning right afterward.
Clinton criticized Trump's decision at a rally in Florida on Wednesday, referring to the hotel opening a "same old story."
Clinton told a rally in Lake Worth, Florida, that Trump relied on undocumented workers "to make his project cheaper.'' That was apparently a reference to reporting that some subcontractors on the projected illegally hired undocumented laborers. She also said many of the products in the hotel's rooms were made overseas.
The Democratic presidential nominee says "you can talk a good game,'' but the facts show that Trump has stiffed American workers and American businesses during his career in real estate.
In lieu of campaigning himself, Trump sent running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, to play political defense in Utah, which hasn't backed a Democrat for president in 52 years.
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Pence also is stopping in swing states of Nevada and Colorado before he heads on Thursday to solidly Republican Nebraska, a state that awards some of its five electoral votes by congressional district. His rally in Omaha may be aimed at shoring up support in the one that Clinton could potentially win.
Trump will return to the campaign trail in North Carolina, where he'll hold two rallies Wednesday afternoon.
Behind in the polls, Trump no longer has any big-dollar fundraisers planned for the remainder of his campaign, which could be damaging for down ballot races on the GOP ticket, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
The Republican nominee is spending the remainder of his time rallying voters in battleground states, using Obamacare rate hikes to attack Clinton and the president.
"I'm going to repeal it and replace it," he said Tuesday. "She's going to expand it and it's going to get more and more expensive."
Clinton, who's surging in the polls, has wrapped up her fundraising as well and is making a pitch to independents and Republicans as she campaigns in Florida.
The Democratic nominee said Wednesday in Lake Worth, Florida, that she believes that Americans are "coming together at the end of this election.''
Clinton said more than 10 million people have already voted in the election and about 2 million of those early votes have been cast in Florida.
This week, Clinton picked up the endorsement of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. But even with the polls in her favor, she says she is still working to secure every vote.
"I'm not taking anything for granted," she said Tuesday. "I'm going to work as hard as I can between now and election."
Clinton is holding two events in Florida Wednesday. It's also her 69th birthday.
In the meantime, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was defending Vice President Joe Biden for saying he wanted to take Trump "behind the gym" for his comments about women.
"I think that the vice president would tell you that the rhetoric aroused by Republicans has aroused strong views," Earnest said.
Trump could not resist firing back.
"Did you see where Biden wants to take me? To the back of the barn. Me. I'd love that. I'd love that. Mr. tough guy," Trump responded.
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