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GOP hopes to win White House, Senate and House

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    Sen. John Thune on trifecta hopes

  • Duration 5:38
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-- more than the White House is at stake this November control of the house and senate.

Are also up for grabs and the GOP is now hoping to win.

That law potentially which would represent a remarkable turnaround for Republicans you really got routed in 2006 and 2008.

But winning the the so called political Triple Crown would also carry enormous expectations for the GOP joining us now to talk more about this.

Senator John the -- Republican from South Dakota who chairs the senate Republican conference is going to be speaking at the convention as well senator nice -- back on the program -- -- Good -- and it's always nice to if you would like to talk a little bit -- -- out the party overall but look -- cast your personal story if we could read before you start off as I understand that a miss seeing.

Free throw.

Is what got you into politics can you tell our viewers a little bit more about that.

Sure I think everybody has a coming of age moment -- gets into politics -- for me I was playing basketball I was a freshman playing some varsity ball I got into a game I made five of six free throws the next today.

I'm an it department store on the main street my hometown and somewhere in the line behind me taps me on the shoulder and senate -- you -- one last night.

Like who's the Smart -- and made five out of six -- a freshman.

He introduced himself as congressman Jim -- governor who was the member of congress in my district.

And my family I wasn't involved in politics my my family wasn't political and so that was my first exposure -- introduction to somebody.

Who was involved in politics and I began to follow his career and later on when he became United States senator he offered me an opportunity to work -- that's not -- I cut my teeth.

I had to keep your -- in the in -- time of Reagan on the huge fan of Ronald Reagan.

But I think everybody it has some some experience probably that really gets them interested in and that was certainly -- And the reason I ask that is if it's such a great story for some bomb and my second thought it you know politics is really like being on the team you know we see the Republican Convention that's when -- see the Democrats with -- -- -- -- anyone that's played on a team knew this.

There's internal competition as well.

And that's -- really kind of fuels what could be progress on the -- so I want to ask you about the GOP in general as a team.

How do you think the GOP has changed over the last four years.

Well I think that we have gotten I believe released we've been able to sharpen our message a little bit I think that getting control the house in 2010 was a seminal moment in terms of the party.

In its future -- sort of put -- on a on a path and trajectory if you will that hopefully we will continue on with electing a new president in this election and perhaps even get control of the senate.

But you're right it really is a team you have to learn how to function as a team and many of the lessons you -- -- competitive sports -- politics because you not only have your opponent but you also have the building the that the team chemistry in the culture there and I think that's something that we've been working on the last few years.

But I do think that we become a party that understands that we've got big challenges is a country.

Somebody has to step forward and solve -- and I think that's why the Romney Ryan ticket is so important in terms of the times that we face.

In this country and the leadership that we need to bring.

To put some of those solutions in place so I'm excited about our prospects there's no guarantee obviously that we're going to win either the presidency or the senate but I think if we can.

It would be a great day for the American people hopefully for our futures -- put a new vision place.

Nancy a little bit more about that one -- our viewers as is treating as a brat and he says you know both sides have become extremely partisan and we the people are the ones suffering it's no secret really that.

-- confidence and -- our leadership has been questioned regardless of what party.

Our citizens belong to and so -- it.

Having the GOP in control of off three.

You know parts of government the house and senate and executive branch really be what's best for the country or do you think the tension that exists.

Really needs to be worked through in a bipartisan way for what's best for the people.

Well I think we have to work through we've got to do what's in the best interest of the people that means you've got to work with both sides obviously no one no one -- is gonna -- Washington although.

In 2008 when President Obama was elected the Democrats had a filibuster proof majority in the senate they get a huge majority in the House of Representatives in 2010 and the people's -- said wait a minute.

That's swing and way too far left -- we wanna bring it back in in the other direction which they did -- -- this election will help clarify.

How worth some of the American people are I think that the elected leadership in this country in many respects is -- -- -- of the people -- people across this country.

Are a little bit divided about what they want their government to do how big -- they want the government to be.

Do they think the Washington spends too much -- -- we tax too little I happen to believe in my party I think generally believes the Washington spends too much and we got to rein that in.

And I think that's the message hopefully that will come out of the electorate this fall that we -- Washington to get its spending habits.

-- we want to we want to create jobs and grow the economy we want to quit having these policies come out of Washington DC.

They're making -- more difficult more expensive for our job creators and small businesses to create jobs I hope this'll be a clarifying election.

But however comes out it's probably going to be fairly close I think the margins are going to be narrow in the senate which means we're gonna have to have.

Both sides working together in what is the best interest of this country and -- That we can achieve got the looks that way very K race John wants to know if he ever played basketball at the president's answer basketball -- I have not played with the president yet and I am still waiting for that invitations or perhaps you guys could facilitate them.

You know I would try and if it if it happens -- we -- in on the games yeah right John that's right the little point guard might go in my day senator that's the truth -- that.

Sounds good if they put team together and I think if that's pretty -- all right senator we're game for that thank you for the time today with Ford to talking to against her.

Greatly what you --

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