Jonathan Anderson

Marshfield (Wis.) News-Herald

ROTHSCHILD, Wis. — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump was an hour late to a campaign rally in Rothschild on Saturday afternoon, but to his supporters, his message could not have been more timely.

The New York billionaire, speaking at a town-hall style event at the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center, hit hard on the notion that his wealth makes him more independent and credible than other candidates running for president.

“I have turned down more money, I bet, than any other human being has turned down,” Trump said. "I don’t owe anybody anything."

Later Saturday, Trump spoke at a high school in Eau Claire. He was not short on his usual bravado, despite recent polls suggesting he's fallen behind Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the run-up to Tuesday's Wisconsin primary.

Clinton, Sanders stake their claims in Wisconsin

"I think we are going to have a very good day on Tuesday," he told the crowd packed into Eau Claire Memorial High School. "We're going to have a very, very good day."

Trump ripped into Cruz, saying the Texas senator can't be trusted.

"He holds the Bible high, he puts the Bible down and then he lies," Trump said. "Not a good liar. He always gets caught."

Trump also continued his assault on Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a constant theme since Walker endorsed Cruz earlier in the week.

About 1,200 tickets were issued for the earlier gathering in Rothschild, which also featured former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. She introduced Trump, calling him the only viable Republican candidate.

Trump spoke for roughly an hour and touched on a wide range of subjects, including health care, Social Security, immigration, education and gun rights. He blasted international trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, blaming them for the erosion of jobs that support the middle class — an issue particularly salient in central Wisconsin, which has seen a slow but steady decline in paper manufacturing. Trump said he would return jobs to the country and lift stagnant wages.

“People are angry," Trump said. "They’re disgusted about what’s going on.”

Trump said the United States takes on too much responsibility in global affairs, but the crowd cheered when he said he would expand the country's military strength.

That idea was appealing to Robert Stone, a disabled 59-year-old Marine veteran from Edgar, and his wife, Corrine, 55. They were one of the first in line to see Trump Saturday. The Stones said they’re attracted to Trump for his distinctive authoritative style — a feature they said is lacking in Trump’s main GOP opponent, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

“He stands up for America,” Robert Stone said of Trump. “We’re looking for a strong candidate to represent the United States.”

But not everyone who attended the rally supported Trump's bid for the presidency. While Nafeesa Rahman of Weston said she was a "huge fan of Donald Trump" and liked his passion for politics, her husband and daughter had different views. Husband Khalid Rahman said he has not decided whom to support in the primary race and said he planned to attend a rally for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, in Wausau on Sunday.

Their daughter, Sasha Rahman, a student at Rothschild Elementary School, said she liked Democrat Hillary Clinton.

"She would be the first woman president," Sasha Rahman said.

Candidates vying to become the Republican presidential nominee must secure 1,237 delegates. Trump is leading with 736 delegates, while Cruz has 463 delegates; 943 delegates are remaining. Wisconsin offers 42 delegates; 18 go to the overall winner in the state, while the winner in each of the state's eight congressional districts will get three delegates.

Contributing: Alison Dirr, The (Appleton, Wis.) Post Crescent; Follow Jonathan Anderson on Twitter: @jonathanderson