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Trump Makes Springfield Appearance, Fresh Off Hosting 'SNL'

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS/AP) -- Republican presidential contender Donald Trump brought his campaign for the party's nomination to Springfield on Monday.

Trump is fresh off his stint hosting NBC's "Saturday Night Live." His appearance on the show drew protests by Latino organizations for his comments about Mexicans entering the United States illegally.

Trump took the stage right on time and launched into a rip-roaring, 65-minute attack on the status quo and everyone involved, especially the politicians, CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports.

"We have stupid people leading us. We have incompetent people," he told an appreciative crowd.

There were more people at the Prairie Capital Convention Center than for Illinois inaugurations.

Carol Ramsey of Schererville, Indiana made a more than three-hour drive to see Trump in Springfield.

Trump Appearance Springfield
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump drew huge crowds in Springfield. (CBS)

Ramsey, a retired nurse, told the State Journal-Register in Springfield that Trump's plan for Department of Veterans Affairs reform is "desperately needed."

Trump has said he wants veterans eligible for care at VA hospitals to be able to seek the same care at any hospital that accepts Medicare.

 (Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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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