MSNBC - Transcript

Interview

MSNBC - Transcript

MS. NOVOTNY: Congressman Greg Meeks is a Democrat from New York and a supporter of Hillary Clinton.

Congressman, we appreciate your time.

REP. MEEKS: Good being with you, Madame.

MS. NOVOTNY: Let me ask you, because this endorsement is making news today -- Governor Napolitano endorsing Barack Obama. She is a powerful woman. Does this send a message to Democratic women that it's okay not to vote on gender lines?

REP. MEEKS: No. You know, I think endorsements are good, the fact that Senator Clinton has 9 sitting members -- 9 governors and over 79 House members and Senate members. But I think the bottom line here, and why Senator Clinton won New Hampshire was not about who endorsed her. It was about going door to door as the momentum builds, and that she continues to do in Nevada now, will do in South Carolina, sitting down and talking and meeting with people and answering their questions, and letting them get to know who she is. I've seen her do it in New York, when she ran for Senate here, and she'll do it again, and that's the key. And you know, she enjoys endorsements, as I'm sure Senator Obama does, but that's not what the key is. The key is issues and action and record of accomplishments.

MS. NOVOTNY: You talked about her sitting down with voters and talking out the issues essentially. So much was made of that tearful, emotional moment that she had. And people talked about it very positively after the fact, that this could have really helped her. And it seems that they're doing more to get that more personal side of Hillary Clinton out there.

Why did they wait so long? And will this be enough?

REP. MEEKS: You know, I don't think they're waiting too long. I think Hillary has been Hillary throughout this campaign. I think that what she's doing now is trying to make sure that she touches people.

I've seen it in New York, when she went upstate to rural areas. You know, there was a lot of talk, by the media and others at that time, that she would not be able to relate to those people. But when she went there and she had conversation with them and she answered their questions, they understood what the woman Hillary Clinton was all about, and that's what you're seeing going on now. That's what took place in New Hampshire, and we take that same momentum into Nevada and into South Carolina. We'll be sitting down and talking to people, so they can see who Hillary Clinton is and let her answer their questions.

MS. NOVOTNY: Who's got the momentum here? Does Hillary Clinton have the momentum here after New Hampshire? Or does Obama have the momentum here?

REP. MEEKS: Well, clearly, you know, I don't want to get into what a lot of individuals in your seat went into before.

The voters will ultimately decide. And I think what the voters are going to decide is based upon the person that has the best track record as well as ability to make things happen, and I think Hillary has done that her whole life. And so when you look at that, when you look at the entire package, then clearly, to me, the advantage goes to Hillary Clinton.

MS. NOVOTNY: Congressman Greg Meeks, we thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today.

REP. MEEKS: My pleasure.

MS. NOVOTNY: Appreciate it.

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