NBC "Today" - Transcript

Interview

NBC "Today" - Transcript

NBC "TODAY" INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR-ELECT KAY HAGAN (D-NC); SENATOR-ELECT JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-NH) INTERVIEWER: MEREDITH VIEIRA

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MS. VIEIRA: Two Democrats who knocked off Republican Senate incumbents are State Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Jeanne Shaheen, the former governor of New Hampshire.

Ladies, good morning to both of you, and congratulations.

SEN.-ELECT HAGAN: Good morning.

SEN.-ELECT SHAHEEN: Thank you.

MS. VIEIRA: You're more than welcome.

If I could start with Senator-elect Shaheen, this was -- as we said before, you had run against your opponent six years ago and lost. What made you think that the timing was right this time around?

SEN.-ELECT SHAHEEN: You know, it wasn't about the timing. It was about what was happening in the country. I was very concerned about the direction of this country and didn't feel like I could sit by and not try and do something to change, to put us back to creating good jobs again and making this country work for middle-class families.

MS. VIEIRA: Senator Sununu's father, who was the former governor of New Hampshire, said the tide in this country was moving this country to the left and his son just couldn't fight that tide. Is that your assessment?

SEN.-ELECT SHAHEEN: No. I think what we saw was a real desire for change. People know that we've experienced the failed policies of the Bush administration for the last eight years that have gotten us into an economic mess. And everywhere I went in New Hampshire over this last year, what I heard from people is that they've been struggling. And they're worried about their future, and they want to see a change in this country. That's what this election was about.

MS. VIEIRA: Senator-elect Hagan, if I could ask you, you defeated Elizabeth Dole. In the last few weeks before the election, that ad came out from her campaign that basically painted you as godless. You responded immediately to that. What role do you think that played in your victory?

SEN.-ELECT HAGAN: Well, I think people in North Carolina rejected that sort of negative partisan politics. And that's why we had a wonderful victory.

MS. VIEIRA: So they just would not put up with that.

SEN.-ELECT HAGAN: No, they really wanted to elect somebody who's going to go to Washington and effect real change. It's the economy in North Carolina. It's the fact that we've lost so many jobs, the fact that wages are going down and people are worried about the values of their homes. They really want us to put this partisan gridlock behind us, work together to effect real change.

You know, we need, whether it's a good idea -- whether it's a Democrat or a Republican idea, we have got to come together and move this country forward.

MS. VIEIRA: Well, you know, when you look at polls of the American public, as disenchanted as they were with the president, they were also very disenchanted with Congress. So how do you convince them that you can work together, Republicans and Democrats, and get something done?

SEN.-ELECT HAGAN: You know, that's how I've run this campaign. I've been talking to voters all across this state. And, you know, I've got a son that went to Duke and I've got a daughter at Carolina. I know how to mediate partisan differences. And I'm going to work as hard as possible to effect that in Washington.

MS. VIEIRA: And finally, for both of you -- I'll start with you, Senator-elect Shaheen -- what does this mean to you? I mean, when you put your head on the pillow last night realizing that you are going to be the next senator from your state, what went through your head?

SEN.-ELECT SHAHEEN: You know, I am just so honored and humbled by the trust that the people of New Hampshire have placed in me. And I certainly agree with Senator-elect Kay Hagan that what we've got to do is to address the real concerns people are feeling. And we need to do business differently. And I'm excited about the prospect of working with President Barack Obama to move this country in a new direction and make it work again for all those people out there who have been struggling.

MS. VIEIRA: And Senator-elect Hagan?

SEN.-ELECT HAGAN: I'm the same way. People in North Carolina want us to work together. And I think the fact that we've got a new president in Barack Obama, I am so looking forward to working with him. And really we are going to tackle some of the toughest issues, and we need to start immediately.

MS. VIEIRA: Yeah, and we wish you both the best of luck; very difficult times ahead.

SEN.-ELECT SHAHEEN: Thank you.

SEN.-ELECT HAGAN: Thanks so much, Meredith.

MS. VIEIRA: Senator-elect Kay Hagan, Senator-elect Jeanne Shaheen, thank you both and congratulations.

END.

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