Fox News "The Story" - Transcript: Interview with Candidate John James
Interview
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FAULKNER: And to the breaking news now, that news conference from New York Congressman Chris Collins that we are waiting on right now. Earlier today, just a few hours ago we were on live in "OUTNUMBERED" and the news broke of insider trading charges against this New York Congressman. His attorney at the time said he will be vindicated. He laid out a case for how this was not insider trading. However, federal prosecutors in New York also laid out their case today. This will be our first chance to hear directly from the Congressman. I should mention the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan today pulled him off an Energy Committee saying that the courts will figure this out but in the meantime, he will not be serving on that committee within the House. Chris Collins Congressman from New York when he steps up to the lectern, we'll take you there live.
Also developing at this hour, nearly 24 hours after the polls closed in five states several races are still too close to call. Ohio, the Special Election there Republican Troy Balderson is claiming victory before it has become official. He holds a slim margin with just about 1,750 votes against Democrat Danny O'Connor. In the race to be the next governor of Kansas Republican, Kris Kobach holds a 191 vote, that is slim, a lead over sitting Governor Jeff Colyer. But one race is definitive. Michigan's GOP Senate primary where Iraq war veteran John James beat fellow challenger Sandy Pensler by nine points. President Trump tweeted this. Congratulations to a future star of the Republican Party, future Senator John James a big and bold victory tonight in the great state of Michigan, the first of many. November can't come fast enough. Here now John James, the Republican nominee for Senate in Michigan. Great to have you on the program tonight. You know, just to tell people --
JOHN JAMES, R-SENATORIAL NOMINEE, MICHIGAN: Thanks for having me.
FAULKNER: -- a little bit of about what last night felt, I want to hear directly from you and now it's day one as you head down the road.
JAMES: Last night felt absolutely incredible. It was awesome to give the glory to God and also to point out the folks who got me to this point. The grassroots support that we felt since the very, very beginning, folks who believe that Michigan is truly a state that is the home of the American Dream, is the birthplace of the middle class and we're finally going to send somebody to Washington who understands what it takes to grow a business. I grew my family business in 35 million to 137 million but I also understand what it takes to keep America safe. And your last segment with Senator Graham, he spoke about something the Iranian exporting of terror and in hate and I understand that personally fighting in Iraq and fighting with Iranian trained fighters that actually took and took American lives, killed American soldiers. So I have personal experience understanding national security and I'm looking forward to bringing my experience to bear in Washington.
FAULKNER: Not to make this all about the military and Iran right now but you bring up a point that maybe people aren't aware of tonight as much but we are fighting them on the ground in Syria. I mean, they are -- they are going after our men and women on the ground there but let's move on and talk about you because you've just gotten off a stage with Vice President Pence. What did he say to you?
JAMES: Vice President Pence is 100 percent behind me. Vice President Pence and President Donald Trump are 100 behind this race because they know that Michigan is in play. They know that Debbie Stabenow is vulnerable because for 43 years as an elected official and 20 years in Washington, she's gotten nothing done for the state of Michigan. They recognize that I'm going to do everything that I can to bring economic opportunity back to the State of Michigan to continue to make sure that we tout our gains and that we don't stay on the defense. If we go on the offensive and we tell everybody that we are the party of emancipation, we are the party of suffrage, and we are the party of economic opportunity separation of powers and making sure that everybody can achieve the American dream.
FAULKNER: Yes, those are interesting things to bring up particularly from an African-American candidate and in a state like Michigan where you had just so many problems for African-American, people of color, poverty. Flint Michigan under the leadership of Democrats and I understand you want to flip that. I want to kind of leave on that line because that's what people are thinking you know, politics are local, so what will you change for Michigan and oh, by the way, did it get enough attention in 2016 from the other side of the political aisle?
JAMES: Well, I came back from Iraq because while I was over fighting I saw pictures on Armed Forces networks of areas of the places you just mentioned, Flint, Saginaw, Detroit, Benton Harbor, that looked worse than the combat zone I was flying. And so I came back and helped create jobs. And what we need to do is make sure that we continue to push for the opportunity zones that just got signed in the tax custom job act that our president moved forward. Our president's numbers are moving forward. He's in the 29 percent approval rating but right now African-Americans are in a situation where the Democratic Party is ignoring them and we have a Republican Party that's now -- we have a Republican Party now that's paying attention. I'm going to be listening, learning before I lead and I'm happy to not have a black or a white message but a red white and blue message and make sure that I bring forward and get results that Debbie Stabenow has not gotten.
FAULKNER: Red, white, and blue all the way. And thank you for your service. John James, congratulations on last night. Thanks for being on the program.
JAMES: Thanks for having me. Go to John James for senate.com. I appreciate you support. Bye, Bye.
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