New venue, old answers from Trump, Clinton to veterans

NEW YORK (AA) - Presidential candidates of the two major parties, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, stepped on the same stage to answer questions from American military veterans during a unique televised forum that left a lot to be desired on specifics.

Confronted by a rapid-fire round of questions from Afghanistan and Iraq veterans as well as moderator Matt Lauer of NBC network at New York City's Intrepid Sea & Air and Space Museum, the candidates brought little new insight into their policy decisions, just days from the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on the U.S. soil.

On how she could be trusted after her controversial handling of emails during her tenure as Secretary of State, Clinton argued there were no clear markings indicating the classified nature of the some of the emails found on her private server. "I communicated about classified material on a wholly separate system. I took it very seriously," Clinton said.

“There is no evidence my account was hacked,” she said. "I did exactly what I should have done and I take it very seriously. Always have, always will."

On the fight against Daesh, the Democrat repeated her stance of leaving ground troops off the table.

“We are not putting ground troops in Iraq and we are not putting ground troops in Syria," she said. "We are going to defeat ISIS without committing ground troops."

Clinton suggested she would enhance U.S. support for "Arabs and Kurds" fighting on the ground to defeat the terror group, which she said was her “highest counter-terrorism goal".

Pressed on the war in Iraq, the first female presidential nominee of a major party said the decision to go to war in Iraq "was a mistake" and her vote, too, was a "mistake".

“I have taken responsibility for my decision,” Clinton said, while adding that Trump "has refused to take responsibility for his support.”

The Republican nominee, who appeared after Clinton, disavowed support for the war that began in 2003, claiming he "was totally against the war in Iraq."

Trump faced a slightly different set of questions that were more focused on his qualifications and preparedness as commander-in-chief.

Trump said he had "great judgment", adding, "I know what's going on, I have called many of the shots."

The billionaire businessman said generals under President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "have been reduced to rubble" while the U.S. had "the dumbest foreign policy" under the Obama-Clinton administration.

Asked whether he would be prepared as commander-in-chief on day 1, he responded in his usual bravado: "100 percent."

He accused Clinton of having a "happy trigger", and said he would be "much slower" in making important military decisions because sending U.S. troops into harm's way is "the most difficult decision you could ever make".

On whether he would make exceptions for an undocumented immigrant wishing to serve in the U.S. army, Trump -- known for his stern immigration policy -- said he could “definitely” find a solution to that "very special circumstance".

Much has been made about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said he would take the Russian leader's compliment calling him "brilliant", and touted his approval ratings as president.

"I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin and a very, very good relationship with Russia," Trump said, adding that he would cooperate with Moscow on defeating Daesh.

The candidates were asked by veterans about the kind of reform they envisaged for veterans’ affairs, and both responded by pointing out the need for reform but rejected privatization as a strategy.

On prevention of suicide among veterans, which claims nearly 22 lives a day, according to at least one source, Trump said it was "almost impossible to conceive that this is happening in our country". Clinton said the government would have to "remove the stigma" surrounding mental health issues faced by veterans.