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Donald Trump 2016 Presidential Campaign

Trump warms up for Clinton debate with Virginia rally

David Jackson
USA TODAY
Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Roanoke, Va.

Warming up for Monday's showdown with Democrat Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump stumped in Virginia on Saturday and suggested on social media that he might extend a debate invitation to Gennifer Flowers, a woman once linked to former President Bill Clinton.

"Our campaign is about breaking up the special interest monopoly in Washington, D.C.," Trump told backers in Roanoke, Va., the biggest city in the more-conservative western part of the state.

The Republican nominee attacked Hillary Clinton during his speech, but did not mention Monday's debate, set for Hofstra University on Long Island, N.Y.

A Twitter battle revealed the possibility that the debate crowd might include Flowers, the woman who during the 1992 presidential campaign said she had an affair with then-Arkansas governor and White House candidate Bill Clinton.

Trump was responding to the taunting of Dallas Mavericks owner/reality television show host Mark Cuban, who tweeted Friday that he "just got a front row seat to watch @HillaryClinton overwhelm @realDonaldTrump at the "Humbling at Hofstra" on Monday. It Is On!"

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Trump replied Saturday: "If dopey Mark Cuban of failed Benefactor fame wants to sit in the front row, perhaps I will put Gennifer Flowers right alongside of him!"

Not to be outdone, Flowers herself tweeted: "Hi Donald. You know I'm in your corner and will definitely be at the debate!"

The Trump campaign has not confirmed if in fact Flowers will be one of their guests.

During the campaign, Trump has threatened to raise sexual allegations against former President Clinton if former Secretary of State Clinton criticizes his comments about women.

Virginia, once considered a safe Republican state in presidential elections, voted for President Obama twice, and Clinton is currently considered the favorite in the state.

The Real Clear Politics average of recent polls gives the Democrat a lead of 6 percentage points in Virginia, thanks in part to running-mate Tim Kaine, a senator and former governor of the state.

Ignoring the polls, Trump claimed to the crowd in Roanoke that "we're just about tied in Virginia and we haven't started advertising."

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