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GOP's effort to regain Senate control

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    A look at the race for seats

  • Duration 5:57
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-- not and nine days ago GOP leaders are hoping they can make significant gains in this senate it has been a tough campaign season.

With many races still considered toss ups.

Texas senator and national Republican senatorial committee chair John Cornyn joins us now -- senator thanks so much for your time.

-- -- I first start with an issue that you've done a lot of work on recently and that is the overseas military ballots that are cast whether or not they are being handled properly whether those votes will be counted.

You authored a letter to the secretary of defense asking the Pentagon to do its job when it comes to these votes.

Are you confident they will be handled properly.

-- very disappointed in the response of the Pentagon in the military leadership to a making sure that are deployed military can exercise or most fundamental right -- that is their right to vote.

Sudden 2009 -- bipartisan legislation signed by President Obama mandating.

That on military installations are being -- the voting assistance facilities.

And the inspector general was documented that only about half of the bases -- complied with those laws and we know that many in many places absentee ballot requests.

Our way down from deployed military.

And it's just it's a national disgrace and I'm I'm very disappointed in the Pentagon's failure to lead on this issue.

All right we know that you constantly keep an eye on that issue is that when you the working on for years so we will check back with you on that in the wake of this election and see if improvements are made.

Now let's talk about the senate where you are tasked with adding to the Republican column there I -- start with Missouri which is that it really tricky difficult race this time around.

You've got Claire McCaskill last facing off there against Todd ache and the latest Mason Dixon poll gives -- Cassel late two point advantage there.

-- -- happening resource is invested there have you given up on that race do you think it's still winnable.

Well I but I must say that there we hope that does senator maccast calls retired.

At the end of her current term.

Because she's voted down the line with the -- Obama's agenda is present the United States.

Against the wishes of her -- constituents there.

And -- -- governor Romney running very strongly in Missouri.

It could well be that -- -- -- surprise a lot of people and win that election and of course would much prefer that to us senator McCaskill remaining.

In the United States senate.

-- to turn to Pennsylvania now that race has been tightening up a little bit over the last few days as well where you've got senator Bob Casey -- -- Tom Smith a Republican in that race.

How do you then and funneling resources that way with hopes that that will tighten up and be a possible pick up for Republicans.

Tom Smith has done a magnificent job really catching senator Casey mapping.

And assuming that he'll be elected without even happened to run much of a campaign.

And now that race is close dramatically we've we've seen within some polling within two points.

And the problem with polling for if you're an incumbent is it's just a snapshot it doesn't really measure momentum.

And all the momentum -- been going and Tom -- direction against senator -- so.

With nine days to go.

I feel -- good that Pennsylvania will be an opportunity for us four pick up and yes we are making a substantial investment.

In that state.

Because we think.

We think Tom Smith has real shot there.

It's -- let's turn to Florida now because it's another state where Mitt Romney has gained significantly in the polling and many of them now showing him leading President Obama.

A you've got a tight senate race there as well.

How well do you think you will be able to capitalize on any opportunity there and be able to tighten that race.

-- governor Romney is going to win in Florida and think every poll reflects set at this point.

And certainly the better he does the better it is for our candidate our nominee Connie Mack.

Who's running against a long entrenched.

Incumbent there and in Bill Nelson.

So we think this is an opportunity for us.

It's congressman Mack had the challenge of -- late primary.

With not much in the way of resources while Bill Nelson was able to stockpile millions of dollars which -- used relentlessly.

In negative advertising against -- congressman Mack.

But I think Florida is also one of those places where.

What could wake up the day after the selection and be surprised.

By a Republican pick up.

Aren't let's -- about another nail biter here just outside the nation's capital the Virginia race of course between contain contain and George Allen.

Allen has -- a -- back and forth our polling has showed -- very tight if you look at the real clear politics average there.

Basically gives Tim -- a one percentage point advantage well within the margin -- for these polls.

Why do you think that Virginia has been such a tough battle this time around and any real reason to believe that George Allen is gonna have that last minute surge.

-- do believe is Carl Cameron noted we see in the month numbers move dramatically all across the country and Mitt Romney's and Paul Ryan's favor.

And in battleground states like Virginia this it helps our candidates like a George Allen.

But both of these candidates are well known Virginia what did Tim Kaine former governor George Allen former governor former senator.

But the difference here is that president Obama's agenda which Tim Kaine has been one of the chief chief cheerleaders for.

As chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

His unpopular and I believe that George Allen will be elected in Virginia and the George likes to say there's all come down to 101000 votes.

And we know were all those folks are so now it's a matter of getting those folks to the polls but I feel very good about Virginia.

All right well the balance of power hangs in the balance now and the senate we know you've had a lot of work to do and we didn't we know regardless of party people very much appreciate your work on behalf of the military.

Making sure that no matter who they're voting for those votes are counted senator -- thank you very much you.

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