NBC's Lauer Lectures GOP: Opposing Obama 'Is Not A Policy'
Following the big Republican wave in Tuesday's midterm election, on Wednesday, Today co-host Matt Lauer immediately demanded that the new GOP-controlled Congress capitulate to President Obama: "Republicans have control of the House and Senate for the first time in eight years....In January, voters are gonna say,'What are you going to do with the power?' Opposing the President's policy is not a policy. Specifically, what can Republicans do with this power?"
Lauer directed that question to New Jersey Governor and Republican Governor's Association head Chris Christie. In part, Christie replied: "People want to get things done. That's why Republican governors were elected last night – re-elected and new ones elected, Matt – because governors get things done. That's what the country wants."
Continuing to push for Republicans to give in, Lauer followed up: "Tell me specifically one area where you would like this new Republican majority to compromise, real compromise, with President Obama."
Christie pointed out that it was incumbent on Obama to compromise: "I think the two things they [Republicans] need to do is tax reform and a national energy policy. And the President needs to sit down and get that done with Republicans in Congress."
ABC's Good Morning America and CBS This Morning also interviewed Christie, but those exchanges focused entirely on big Republican gains and Christie's possible 2016 presidential run.
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Here is a portion of Lauer's November 5 exchange with Christie:
7:05 AM ET
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MATT LAUER: So the world changes now in Washington, Republicans have control of the House and Senate for the first time in eight years. You know what that means. In January, voters are gonna say,"What are you going to do with the power?" Opposing the President's policy is not a policy. Specifically, what can Republicans do with this power?
CHRIS CHRISTIE: Listen, I think Senator McConnell and Speaker Boehner are gonna have to sit down and decide what their priorities are and then sit down with the President. People want to get things done. That's why Republican governors were elected last night – re-elected and new ones elected, Matt – because governors get things done. That's what the country wants.
LAUER: Tell me specifically one area where you would like this new Republican majority to compromise, real compromise, with President Obama.
CHRISTIE: Listen, I think that what the Republican majority needs to do first is to grow jobs in this country and then have prosperity. And I think the two things they need to do is tax reform and a national energy policy. And the President needs to sit down and get that done with Republicans in Congress. And it should be able to get done.
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— Kyle Drennen is Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter.
