Trump says skipping debate might have cost him in Iowa

(CNN) — Donald Trump on Tuesday said his decision to skip the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucuses may have led to his second-place finish in the Hawkeye State.

But the nationwide GOP front-runner maintained that he did “very well” in Iowa, adding that he believes expectations may have been set too high.

“That could’ve been with the debate,” Trump acknowledged to reporters in Milford, New Hampshire, where he was introduced and endorsed by former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown. “I think some people were disappointed that I didn’t go into the debate.”

Iowa entrance polls showed many voters made up their minds in the final days before the caucuses.

But Trump said he would make the same decision again, pointing to the $6 million he raised for veterans’ charities. He also maintained that his second-place showing was a success.

“I think we did very well,” Trump said. “I guess what did happen is one poll came out that said we were four or five points ahead and maybe built up a false expectation for some people.”

Trump also said he performed far better in Iowa, where Texas Sen. Ted Cruz won the caucuses, than he would have believed back when he launched his campaign in June.

“People didn’t talk about my second place,” Trump added. “They didn’t talk about it as positively as they should have.”

Trump said he doesn’t believe third-place finisher Marco Rubio will cut into his lead in New Hampshire, and said he expects to peel off independent voters from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is the leading Democratic presidential candidate in the Granite State.

Asked by CNN’s Sara Murray if his finish in Iowa damaged his brand as a “winner,” Trump shook his head.

“I think my brand’s doing great,” he said.

New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary will be held on February 9.

CNN’s Tom LoBianco contributed to this report.