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CNN Projection: Republicans to Retain Control of the U.S. House; Colors Show CNN Projections in Race for Senate Control; CNN Projection; Louisiana Senate Race Will Go To a Runoff

Aired November 04, 2014 - 21:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN LEAD POLITICAL ANCHOR: All right John thanks very much. Let's get a projection right now.

And take a look at this, CNN now projects in South Dakota, Mike Rounds the Republican will be the next United States senator from South Dakota. That is a Republican pickup. Another Republican pickup, Mike Rounds wins in South Dakota.

No projection in Colorado where there's a close race between incumbent Democrat Mark Udall and Republican challenges Cory Gardner.

No projection, at least not yet in Kansas, the Republican Senator Pat Roberts is facing a stiff challenge from the independent Greg Orman. And in Louisiana no projection, Mayor Mary Landrieu facing two Republicans, Bill Cassidy, Rob Maness, remember in Louisiana you need 50 percent plus 1 in order to avoid a runoff.

Democrats did well in several states, in Michigan Gary Peters will be the next United States Senator succeeding Carl Levin, Gary Peters defeats Terri Lynn Land in Michigan.

Chris Coons, he gets elected in the State of Delaware defeating Kevin Wade. Another six years for Chris Coons in the State of Delaware, Chris Coons wins.

In Texas, John Cornyn a Republican, a longtime Republican from Texas defeats David Alameel. John Cornyn reelected to the United States Senate.

There are several states where we are not yet able, as I said to make projections. Take a look at those, no projections as I said in Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, those three big races, Minnesota, and Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

As of right now the Republicans have an advantage. 40 Democrats guaranteed to be in the next U.S. Senate, 43 Republicans in those several outstanding races, you need 51 to be the majority, if you're Republican 50 if you're a Democrat because the Vice President Joe Biden will be -- is the President of the Senate to break a 50-50 tie in favor of the Democrats.

As we wait for more real votes to come in we want to share with you what our exit polls are reveling, these estimates based on interviews with the sampling of voters today and during the early voting process.

Here are the exit poll results, in Colorado, look at this Mark Udall 46 percent, for Cory Gardner the Republican challengers 50 percent. In Kansas, Pat Roberts the Republican incumbent 49 percent, Greg Orman 46 percent.

And in Louisiana, remember you need 50 percent there to avoid a runoff, Mary Landrieu 45 percent, Bill Cassidy 38 percent, Rob Maness 13 percent, if you add those two Republicans though, in a runoff in December she could be in trouble if there is a runoff in Louisiana.

So you see, as of right of right now by the way with that win in South Dakota, the Republicans only need a net gain of three, they started the night with a net gain, they needed a six and five and four, now it's down to three.

Let's go to Jake Tapper, he's got an update on what's happening with the governors. Jake.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, well let's take a look at two of the most highly contested governor's races in the country in Wisconsin. CNN is not able to make a projection as incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker faces a though challenge from Democrat Mary Burke. No projection yet in Wisconsin.

In Florida the votes still coming in with 95 percent of the vote in, incumbent Republican Governor Rick Scoot is ahead of Democratic Charlie Crist, 49 percent to 46 percent. 120,000 votes ahead with 5 percent of the vote left.

Let's not have some projections though from CNN.

Two Governor's races that are good news for Governors who are Democrats, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, CNN projecting he will be reelected in New York. New York Governor Answer Cuomo will be reelected CNN projects.

In New Hampshire, CNN projecting that Democratic incumbent governor Maggie Hassan will be reelected in the State of New Hampshire.

Now we have some news from other states. In Texas, CNN projecting that the State Attorney General Greg Abbott will defeat Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis, that's a race that's got a lot of media attention but ultimately not a lot of competition for Attorney General Greg Abbott who CNN projects will be the next governor of the Lone Star State.

In South Dakota, CNN projecting that Dennis Daugaard will be elected the next governor, will be reelected rather, the governor of South Dakota.

Now let's look at the map, and the races that we cannot yet call. They include, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wisconsin as we mentioned and Wyoming, that's a lot of (inaudible), a lot of undecided, we cannot yet project those races. Wolf, I understand you now have some key races to update.

BLITZER: Yes we do, take a look at these. These are actual votes that have come in, in Kansas no projection there, 9 percent of the vote is in, Pat Roberts the incumbent Republican ahead of the independent Greg Orman 49 percent to 47 percent, still very, very early.

In Georgia a quarter of the vote is now in, David Perdue the Republican 68 percent, Michelle Nunn the Democrat 38 percent. Remember in Georgia to avoid a runoff on January 6th, you need 50 percent plus 1. Votes just changed, 61 percent so far for David Perdue, Michelle Nunn 37 percent.

In Virginia 66 percent of the votes is now in. Look at this. This is somewhat of a surprise, Ed Gillespie the Republican challenger 51 percent, Mark Warner the Democratic incumbent 46 percent. 82,000 vote advantage for Ed Gillespie with 66 percent of the vote now in. Those are important states that we're watching very, very closely.

We got more votes for you right now. In North Carolina, projection now, 53 percent of the votes is in, more than half 50 percent of Kay Hagan the Democratic incumbent, 46 percent of Thom Tillis, 53 percent of the vote is in, 63,000 vote advantage for Kay Hagan, right now more than half of the vote is in.

29 percent of the vote is in, in New Hampshire and Jeanne Shaheen also the Democratic incumbent, Jeanne Shaheen 53 percent for Jeanne Shaheen, 47 percent of the Republican challenger Scott Brown. She's got an 8,000 vote advantage, 29 percent of the vote in still early in New Hampshire.

Let's go to Anderson Cooper. Anderson the Republicans now, their magic number is only three. A new net gain of three and they will be the majority in the U.S. Senate.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Certainly the map is starting to look very, very difficult for the Democrats. I want to bring in our contributors, Newt Gingrich, Jay Carney, S.E. Cupp and Van Jones.

And Newt, you've been following the race in Virginia very closely with Ed Gillespie, you've been talking to people there.

NEWT GINGRICH, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes I think -- first of all it's a great tribute to Ed who run and nobody thought it was possible and kept running when people still thought it was impossible. But Barbara Comstock is going to be a freshman congresswoman, was a delegate, won her race so decisively in Loudoun County in areas that Gillespie has to perform well.

And her folks tell me that he's going to do very, very well in her district. That may end up being the margin of victory. But, her victory is so big and she's actually, probably carrying an extra 8,000 or 10,000 votes for Gillespie just by the turnout in that particular congressional district. COOPER: Jay Carney, I mean for those in the White House tonight, they're looking at the map. It's obviously not look good for them. We've already not heard Dana Bash reporting, they're going to be meeting with bipartisan leaders from Congress later on in this week. But President Obama, what does this mean moving forward?

JAY CARNEY, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well I think it's pretty clear that in the last -- Democrats were able to pick up some senate seats at this point that it's likely the Republicans will take the Senate. They would have to pick up a seat in Georgia for example. Pick up a seat elsewhere in the nation because they're going to have to offset some of these looses.

We know some others states that Republicans are likely to win that will be picked up and there only three left. I think no matter what happens and I think it's likely the Republicans win the Senate, the White House was planning to and will try to engage with the new leaders of the Senate and the Congress and make an effort to demonstrate a willingness to cooperate in a bipartisan fashion.

I think, you know, we saw reported earlier from the White House, one of the CNN correspondent saying that a White official had said, we have to see whether the Republicans are willing to do the same. And, you know, one of the problems, I know we felt in the White House working with Republicans John Boehner and Mitch McConnell was that, there was ultimately the willingness to compromise on things where there's should be areas compromise available, on tax reform, on immigration reform, on infrastructure.

I mean his is an area where Democrats and Republicans have historically been able to find common ground, our nation is crying out for some infrastructure investment and there has been nothing but gridlock.

COOPER: Well, well see how Republicans interpret victories that they get tonight. I do want to go to some statements made my Mitch McConnell just a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL, (R) KENTUCKY: So tonight I pledge you this, whether you're a coal miner in Eastern Kentucky and you can't find work, or a mom in Purdue who doesn't understand why the government just took away her family's health insurance, I've heard your concerns, I've made them my own. You will be heard in Washington.

And look when you get right down to it, that's what this campaign was really all about. It wasn't about me or my opponent. It was about a government that people no longer trust to carry out its most basic duties. For too long this administration has tried to tell the American people what's good for them, and then blame somebody else when their policies didn't work out. Tonight Kentucky rejected that approach.

Tonight Kentuckians said, we can do better as a nation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: You know -- to David Gergen's earlier point though, if President Obama would give an interview today saying that essentially this is a story tonight about a bad map which is kind of broke against the Democrat's favor, if that's the message the President has taken away is that really enough?

CARNEY: Well I'd be surprise if that's the full message that's taken away. I think if you look back at the shellacking as the President described that the Democrats took in 2010. He emerged from that midterm it was probably even worst for Democrats on this one will turn out to be.

And, he sends a lot of all branches and negotiated furiously with Republicans to try to get some things done on fiscal discipline in economy.

And in the end, certainly this is on giving you my prospective but in the end John Boehner the House Republican leader even though his attention I think were there and the President believe he wanted to get a deal, walked away from a deal because he couldn't get House Republicans to go along with him. And I think that what we'll see, the real test will be, will Republicans pass the Paul Ryan budget?

And past it through both houses and will that become the governing documents that they want to put forward because the Paul Ryan budget is not a workable -- document for or budget for the American people. It's just not popular, it was devastating for Mitt Romney, it rewards wealthy Americans over middle class Americans and it's a losing proposition.

COOPER: S.E.

S.E. CUPP, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, another key question will be, will President Obama sign the Keystone Pipeline? I mean, I don't think there's going to be a shellacking tonight by Republicans. But I think Republicans are going to do well.

And hopefully there President would take some time for some introspection, some self-reflection to say "OK, some of my policies were on the ballot this year as I predicted. And I maybe I need to work across the isle a little bit more on the things like the Keystone Pipeline", already popular with the American public.

VAN JONES, CNN COMMENTATOR: Which will create 33 permanent jobs. We'll talk about that later. This is not over. First of all, it you feel like the curses start to kick in, all right?

We knew going into this thing historically. Bill Clinton in his sixth year he lost some seats, Reagan lost some seats, W lost seats. So, the curse maybe kicking in, but this thing is not over. And I think we needed focus on what's going on right now. I think what's shocking to a lot of people is the struggled Democrats are having in Florida and Virginia.

That is surprising, I don't think everybody expected to see with 96 percent of the voting in and you got Crist struggling for his life. I think Democrat came in here expected to do better in Florida. I think, when your talking about Virginia this is curse.

CUPP: Yes.

JONES: ... is there that is...

COOPER: And are those votes against the President? Are those...

JONES: Look, I guarantee you right now, you got Democrats across the country scratching their heads and worrying about this thing. This thing is not over. I'm encouraged though by, you know, some of the places where we are doing better. I do think Orman's going to be able to pull this thing off.

But this -- but listen, I don't want to start talking about tomorrow. Tonight I think you got people across the country where...

CUPP: There were a couple of races that Republicans were going to be really giddy if they manage to pull out, Virginia senate was one, Maryland governor would be one, and Rhode Island governor would be one. Those are long shot. If anyone of those comes through. Republicans are going to feel really good about the way that tonight went.

COOPER: Newt Gingrich just see you shaking and smiling.

GINGRICH: Well, I mean first of all you'll notice how rapidly we go back to partisanship. The fact is, if we elect a governor in Massachusetts that is an enormous rate breakthrough, it's just that people have already accepted it. But we're going to win control of the senate decisively tonight. That's a big break through and McConnell has said clearly in a speech he gave at the end of the year.

He intends to go back the way Mansfield run the Senate, which would require a bipartisan rational approach to the senate in a radical change from Reid. The real question for the President is going to be simple. Is he prepared to meet with Boehner and McConnell? Not bring any gaggle, have a big show, say hey look I talk to him. Sit down in closed room with two serious professional who will just have won power and have an honest talk among the three people who have to governor America.

COOPER: We're getting some more races here. Standing by for a big projection and I want to go to Wolf for that.

BLITZER: All right, we got a major, major projection Anderson, in the fight for control of the House of Representatives. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi may have -- has dreams of becoming the Speaker of the House again. But John Boehner and the Republicans have been counting on holding to power in the House, so which party is coming out ahead? Get ready for that major projection right now.

And CNN projects Republicans will keep control of the United States House of Representatives. Not a major surprise by any means, the Republicans have a huge advantages going in even democratic leaders were suggesting Republicans were probably gain some seat. But now enough votes have been in that we project the Republicans maintained control of the House. Let's see what happen in the Senate.

Dana Bash is our Chief Congressional Correspondent. Dana, John Boehner wanted to remain speaker, I assume he's going to be the speaker in the next House of Representatives unless he decide he doesn't want to run.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, according to everything he is saying he's running. The question is whether he'll be challenged. But instead look at this big picture, your right Wolf. Democrats here where I am at the Democratic headquarters there are boiler room they call it, they're not surprised by this, they all knew that the control of the House was not in their reach.

The question at this point though when it comes to governing is, how much of margin are Republicans going to increase above what is already relatively big margin when it comes to their majority. And what that means for governing according to some senior Republican I've been talking to tonight. They insist is it will be easier. And the reason is what Jay Carney was talking about earlier.

It has been hard for speaker Boehner and his lieutenants to break deals or cut deals because they're worried about losing their rank in file. Now maybe they lose my rank in file because they have more of them to have. So, that is really the question. But on the flip side Republicans are most concern traditionally at this point about primary challenges. So, it's still up for grabs.

BLITZER: All right, so the Democrats side, no great surprise, will maintain the majority in the House of Representatives. John this is, you know, we haven't really paid a lot attention to the House because the Republicans have a significant majority but enough votes have already now been counted that we make this projection.

When I spoke to Steve Israel the Democratic Congressman who chairs that community to try to get Democrats elected thus (ph), he even acknowledged that the Republicans are trying to pick up least 10 seats or so. They got a significant majority already.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Democrats have helped the Republicans, they're 234. The Democrats have help to keep them in single digit to keep them below 245. Republicans are hoping to get to 250. A new to story (ph) and I believe that would be all time high, at least since World War II.

It's not just how many seats they get Wolf, to Dana's point, how much leeway, how long of leash is John Boehner gets? He couldn't maneuver much in the last congress because of Tea Party revolts. So where will these seats come from?

I'm going to circle something here for you right now. These are not done yet. But the Republicans at the moment, we got to start in here. Competitor -- they're winning a race in New Hampshire, they're winning a race in Maine. Look up here and just watch this for a reason because I want to show you this is where we start the night right now. Right now there are no Republicans. When you get up into New England there are no longer any Republicans in the congress. So let's see what that numbers at the end of the night. There's a couple comparative races in Massachusetts, that won one Maine at least one New Hampshire.

Those are moderate Republicans, people how are unlikely to have Tea Party sense (ph). I just want to show you something else about this.

You heard that comment, Tim McCusker reported earlier from the White House saying or even the President saying it's just a bad map. Well, the map during Obama years, the Republicans complain about all the time. I just want to show you something. They may miss him. This is House of Representatives. This is the United States of America the House level. Look at all that blue right after the President won in 2008, right? Remember all that blue.

That's the Tea Party year of 2010, look all that red, here's 2012 the Democrats got a couple back but 201 Democrats now, 257 in the House when President Obama took office. So, the country has changed dramatically. If you at the Democratic Party the house is now on the coast, Latino areas in Texas up in New England, some strength in the Midwest.

But if you look at -- if you just, again picture all that blue, especially up here, now look where we are now. This has been stoning transformation during the Obama presidency and Republicans are adding to it tonight. And as this happens looking (ph) all these House districts there's a domino effect state legislative seat.

A thousand seats have changed hands in that ballpark in the Obama years that's the Republicans bench.

BLITZER: It seems the Republicans pick up, they maintain the majority in the House. Let's go to Kansas right now and the senate, let's go back to the senate because it's a very, very close race in Kansas right now we're watching this challenge from the end. And look at this, show us what's going on Kansas.

KING: We have one purple spot on the map, that's because we have one independent candidate who we believe has a chance to win tonight, it's right here in the state of Kansas. But we got only 19 percent of the vote in, it's a very close race 4,000 votes, less than separated in the two candidates. But watch as this play out. We've been out there early in the course but this is key to Greg Orman. This is his base of operations for his business.

He has supported in a college towns here. In here in the Fort Riley here or the Eastern part of the state it's critical to Greg Orman, so let's look at the numbers and move the lines away. 49 percent 11, Worth County, it's relatively Small County. 49 percent here, those margins frankly aren't big enough. They need to grow those margins if that votes comes in. We come down Lawrence County 74 percent, that's more what Orman needs in this area of the state because Pat Roberts is expected to fill most of these state out here in with red. If you go into these small counties their tiny, these are tiny counties where you got to have a thousand votes cast or a couple thousand votes cast. Pat Roberts just to have to swamp Greg Orman in these tiny Republican counties as we get through the state, so you have 20 percent of the vote and his ahead narrowly but can't make any statement based on that and again you get into the population centers here.

Kansas has no huge city but again at the population center this is where Pat Roberts has to win. But everywhere we'd look, just about everywhere we look we've had very close number except for those tiny rural counties. Pat Robinson has to run it up out here to offset (inaudible).

BLITZER: Let's see if Greg Orman the independent could beat the long time incumbent Pat Roberts in Kansas.

KING: No independent infrastructure obviously. What he is counting on is there a Democratic revolt against the Republicans governor Sam Brownback and Orman is counting on all those votes coming out to vote against the Governor to help him in this race.

BLITZER: Let's do an update on what's going on in New Hampshire right now Jeanne Shaheen, Scott Brown. What the latest, 33 percent of the vote is now in, Shaheen is still ahead.

KING: She's holding that lead 52-48 we knew this was a competitive race. But a lot of people thought that would be about the final number. Here's my question though, so Shaheen is doing very well where she needs to, in conquered (ph) here you see 67 percent a hundred percent of the vote is counted though remember that. So there was no vote to come for her there.

Let's go down in Manchester and come in here and pull that up 92 percent of the vote counted. So Scott Brown running recently competitive in blue color Manchester 92 percent of the vote in there so not a lot of votes left to come out there. When you come over here to sea coast, Portsmouth another big area for Jeanne Shaheen a 100 percent of the vote in, she won big there, it turnout not terribly high, so she won there.

The question now is, what happens? Up here Corroll, a Democrat, the question is, will turnout be high enough? Let just look again. So if you look at these counties you're looking at relatively small counties a 100 percent of that vote is in. So, can Scott Brown fill in up here in Northern New Hampshire? This is mostly conservative country. Can he fill that in, can he overcome Shaheen's familiarity and let me move the map up and stretch it out a little bit as we talk a little bit about this earlier.

This is absolutely critical. She's going to win Portsmouth, Scott Brown has to win the areas around it and he has to win across here. And we're still waiting for some of these votes to come in. Let just check the margins in these places they have come in. 56 to 44 here, again these are very small counties. Massachusetts transplant this is what Scott Brown need, number like that as you move back across the Massachusetts border to have chance.

If you're looking at this right now edge Shaheen but lots of small places to fill in and lot those counties, if you just look at the presidential race, let me just flip so you could see it. You know, watch as this mirror out. Remember see all these at here you split back and forth. Now you come back to the senate race. We have a lot of business with this.

BLITZER: Still two-thirds of the vote. Outstanding, let's go to the Virginia right now where there's a real battle underway. I guess a lot people are surprise how close it is.

KING: Virginia use to be a red state then it became a very competitive state, a lot of people though after two Obama victories and the Democratic win in the governor race perhaps it was it was moving blue. Ed Gillespie is making a statement tonight that these still a battle ground state. 79 percent of the vote in, we're getting it's a crunch time. 50 to 48 so let's look at what's out.

And let's first let's look down here in the Richmond area, 99 percent reporting Mark Warner winning there but there's not many more votes to come out there. So his count is done there. Let's come down here. This Ed Gillespie putting Virginia beach back in Republican column here 78 percent and 54, 43 military (ph) down here. When Republicans is running strong you win here. The Hampton Roads and Norfolk city area here having African-American base.

The Democratic does well here. That's the trade off you get in the competitive race in that part of Virginia along the coast. Then you come back up we've talk about this before. Let's stretch it out and see. Here's the question from Mark Warner. Right now Ed Gillespie has a narrow lead about little more than 20,000 vote's right there. The question is, are they out there from Mark Warner. Here's your answer. Yes, they are, 47 percent reporting a Fairfax County and one more quick there.

79 percent in Arlington County and a 100 percent Fairfax county the largest Suburban County right here. Still hope for Mark Warner but crunch time.

BLITZER: It's close. Let's go to North Carolina and just below Virginia right now because this is an important contest as well Kay Hagan the incumbent Democrat Thom Tillis the challenger the Republican.

KING: And she's hanging a 50 percent 61 percent of the vote in. Again, it's just feeling like horse race. This is -- lucky (ph) place, the Republicans are doing what they need to do Thom Tillis running up the numbers in these small counties. The question is, are those votes count enough where not that many people live, and did she succeed in turning out people Mecklenburg County nearly 10 percent of the population only three percent of the vote count in here.

That bodes well for Kay Hagan, you're winning the race right now and you've only got three percent of the voting in one of the largest counties in the state place where a lot of Democrats are. So that bodes well for her as that count comes in. We move up here to the Durham area. The reason that is so important now is you look and lot of her votes in here when we get up to Wake County and move over here to Durham County at 65 percent in.

She's running up in the numbers in the Democratic areas where she need to the reservoir of votes still be to counted down in Charlotte could help her out. If you move out here it's a little bit more competitive, she's still winning out here though. If you look at the map right now those uncounted votes would give bit of sigh, we're doing OK. But there still some again.

BLITZER: Democrats they really need to hold on to the seat. Let's go to Florida right now. This governor's race is a very, very close a big 97 percent of the vote is now in.

KING: So here's your question, 97 percent of the vote in, you're looking at what? About 100,000 votes here maybe 120,000 votes. My map doing quick there are their out there? So look at where Charlie Crist is winning. 98 percent of the vote is there there's not many much to count there.

And we just come down here, 90 percent in Palm Beach County. Look the gap so Charlie Crist is winning big here so it's a big chunk of votes there if the margin holds up when they count the rest of the votes. Only 22 percent in a Broward County, Broward County we've seen this movie before.

BLITZER: Yeah.

KING: Always seem to be late if not last to give us the big vote count and here's (inaudible) again only 22 percent of the vote in. Right there 120,000 vote difference with 22 percent of the voting. If that gets -- if that stay steady and multiples that's a big basket of votes for Charlie Crist, so you see that.

BLITZER: Update.

KING: You see the 90 percent so let's come down Dade there up to 74 percent but again if the percentage is hold and you get that other 25 percent your adding some serious vote.

BLITZER: Yeah.

KING: From that to Charlie Crist. So, if you look at the 97 percent you think Rick Scott. Rick Scott started to breathe easy however, as always we're waiting for those three Southern most counties a lot votes still out.

BLITZER: So there's clearly some hope for Charlie Crist that goes and those counties.

Let me go back to Anderson. Anderson these racist Republicans are doing well in several of these state it's not over with by any means yet.

COOPER: That's certainly true but the numbers are not looking good certainly for Democrats and the number of this race. Jake Tapper is here, David Gergen, Gloria Borger as well in the fact we're still talking about Virginia here.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Right.

COOPER: At time it's really fascinating.

BORGER: You know, the path is clearly narrowing for the Democrats to keep control, there been pickups for the Republicans. We haven't heard for Montana, Iowa, Colorado states like that. And so, you know, obviously it's, you know, as Jay was saying it doesn't look like a great night for the Democrats. And I think, you know, to Newt Gingrich's point before and to Jay's point before about what happens.

Next, Newt Gingrich when he became speaker of the house had a contract with America in which laid out what he was going to do when he became Speaker of the House I know because I cover him. And Republicans have no such agenda at his point and I think there is a little bit apparel for them in this unless they have one.

GINGRICH: I notice coming, first of all John Boehner gives a speech which is not noticed much. Yet the American or President stood in mid October. We outline six major areas of reform, now this is guy who's very serious, you know, very sober kind of guy. He had work on his speech for over six month and if you read that speech he has outlining some pretty bold including litigation reform, tax reform and things that you wouldn't -- he sort of putting stakes and about saying look I've been around here a long time. If we want a big victory a speaker I want (inaudible).

McConnell I believe is going to come back and I think everybody who wants to understand the Senate should read McConnell speech and then Lamar Alexander following speech early in the year. When he really outline a radically different senate and he said "Let's go back to the senate where you actually have to have both parties talking to each other. Now, if he lives up to that. You guarantee that virtually every bill that goes to President will have bipartisan.

COOPER: How does he make that happen?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And if I could.

GINGRICH: Pretty easily.

COOPER: He can just.

CARNEY: This is -- remember -- first of all Mitch McConnell is a masterful politician and he is pretty transactional. In the end when we had to get a deal with the congress from this White House and the House was a basket case and Boehner, the Speaker of the House couldn't create anything out of the House. Mitch McConnell came to the rescue of Republicans in the Congress and got a deal.

But, remember Mitch McConnell also said that his primary objective as a Republican leader the senate was defeating Barack Obama was a political object and not his was prior to the reelection and not a policy objective, so his going to have to change his approach.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well let me tell you.

CARNEY: And would (inaudible) going to need some legal room with the conservative Republicans because in the end when you talk about the President in meeting with the speaker. The President met a lot with a speaker. Often we never said it at the time because -- was the speaker was afraid his Republican conservative would find out he has this talking about.

COOPER: Let me just tell you about McConnell said tonight in his acceptance speech, we have an obligation to work together on issue where we can agree just because we have a two-party system doesn't mean we have to be in perpetual conflict.

CARNEY: Amen.

GINGRICH: And I think he's going to do that. But let's think the sample I think as he mentions earlier which a very simple test to the President's good will. The Republican House and the new Republican Senate are going to pass the Keystone Pipeline. I mean its fact and the country favors it by better than two to one. Now this President agree that he can live with that or does he say, you know, I've got to do what my environmental left one so bad.

JONES: But why would that be the linchpin? Look at all the things that's this President has tied to pass that were purely bipartisan, that were actually though Republican -- is Republicans rejected their own stuff. Republicans shutdown a small business tax cut from this President because they didn't want this president to succeed on that. The President tried to help veteran. That's a Republican issue. I believe if you would agree.

CUPP: But this is (inaudible).

CARNEY: There were preferences I think.

CUPP: This is the problem. Van wants the President to have very long memory. And what Republicans what are spoke for the president...

CARNEY: No, no.

CUPP: ... to start fresh tomorrow on new things that he can get accomplish.

COOPER: Let's not doing -- David.

DAVID GENGEN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think if there's one message we haven't take about out this election tonight is not whether Republicans are winning or Democrats are winning. It is the fact that across the country there is disgust and anger with the politics of bickering and trying to, you know, and all these little small stuff.

People are angry I don't think we can remember election where people a set of pox on both their houses so firmly as they've said in this election. It's usually one party is up and one party is down. In this case both parties.

COOPER: So at that point I just want to show some number right now. Kansas the Senate race, Greg Orman, 1,407 votes ahead. 21 percent of the vote counted 48.6 percent to 47.9 percent. Pat Roberts, also then look over -- just jumped over there to 667 votes ahead, 48.4 to 48.1, it got closer there. In Florida -- and that's 22 percent. Florida, the governors race, Rick Scott is a little bit more than 87,000 votes ahead with 97 percent of the votes counted and importantly Jake Tapper, Broward still out standing.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Well of course Broward, as John said we've seen this movie before but those Southern Florida counties. I just want to say a point to what David said which is there is this tremendous anti incumbent feeling out there. But the anti-Obama feeling is strong perhaps even stronger, and when you look at the fact that it seems pretty clear that Republicans are going to take control of the Senate tonight. We're still waiting for eight different Senate races. But all the Republicans have to do is win three of them.

COOPER: Right.

TAPPER: So, and keep Kansas. But it seems very clear that this is -- I wouldn't say that this whole night is a repudiation to President Obama but it's not an encouraging sign for President Obama. And when you look at the poll from the Wall Street Journal the other day, two- thirds of the American people said they want President Obama to change direction in his leadership style and that included almost half of the Democrats.

So, in terms of whether or not Mitch McConnell needs to change or John Boehner need to change. I think its very clear from tonight's election results and from poll results we have seen that President Obama, whether or not he thinks that he has reached out across the aisle as much as any human being could that's not the problem.

COOPER: I mean let's -- Jake. Jake, you know this President better than anybody.

CARNEY: I think -- here's what I take heart from which is I know that Barrack Obama is a very competitive person. And I know that he will look at the final two years of his Presidency an opportunity to secure his legacy by getting some things done. And if the only way to get something done is by, you know, reaching out and trying to find bipartisan compromise with a Republican Congress I believe he will try to do that.

He'll be open to some stylistic changes as well. There's no question there.

COOPER: But remember what Senator Corker said told POLITICO about President Obama. He said that President Obama seems tardy. He said "It's almost as if he's wishing for a six-year term instead of an eight--year term." Do you buy that?

CARNEY: I don't buy that. I think that Barrack Obama is like a lot of Americans. Don't forget that if he had walked in this 10 and half years ago none of us would have known who he was and he's been President for six years. So he is unique in that. And like a lot of Americans he's sick and tired of what's happening in Washington.

COOPER: Let me just point Kansas again, 130 vote difference right now. Pat Roberts ahead by 133 votes, 22 percent.

BORGER: But that's the entire anti-incumbent story there. You know, Pat Roberts had every establishment, Republican out there including Bob Dole out there campaigning for him to sort of get him over this. And look at how -- look at how tight the race is, and I would argue that on President Obama, you know, what the Democrat seem to be doing in this election is they're kind of slicing off constituencies, you know, trying to peel off women in Colorado. Trying to peel off minorities here and there and see if they can sort of cobble together a coalition.

They don't have a single message. They didn't run on the economy which I know some people in the White House think they should have run on. And the Republicans also to New Cambridge has a one-time agenda don't really have an agenda.

COOPER: I want to go Jake again. Now Virginia is tightening now. Ed Gillespie in the lead, 23,526 votes ahead with 84 percent of the vote counted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And when you look at the different county by county Ed Gillespie way outperforming other Republicans, way outperforming other competitive Republicans in that state. It's very strange.

Something is going on with polling in Virginia. We didn't see Eric Canter coming. Eric Canter is defeated in the primary. Ken Cuccinelli who ran for Governor against Terry McAuliffe, we didn't see him coming as close. Something is up with polling in the commonwealth.

But I just wanted to make one point about Kansas. I know that a lot of Democrats are excited about felling potentially Republican incumbent Senator Pat Roberts. Greg Orman will caucus with Republicans if they are the majority party. He's not a Democratic vote.

The only question is what happens if he is the one breakaway and it's all up to him? Then we don't know what he's going to do. But he has said he'll do what's best for Kansas. And if there are 51 Republicans Senators he'll caucus with the 51 Republican Senators.

GINGRICH: But let me go out on a limb here, and John King begun to suggest this when he showed you the map of Kansas. Orman was ahead early because Eastern Kansas which is the most liberal part of the state who's coming in. All of the rural small towns now have to come in. If at the end of this evening Pat Roberts is reelected despite everything and some of it frankly he brought on himself then all the Senate incumbent talk is because actually the anti-incumbent were all Democrats. I mean at some point you guys got to confess, there's a strange parallel here that it's Democrats who are getting beaten.

COOPER: We got to take a quick break. We're watching very close races in Virginia, in Kansas. We'll take a short break. Well cover will continues in just a moment.

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BLITZER: It's time to check now back at the top of the Empire State building. The mask is now red and blue and those, colored columns are rising. The CNN projects more senate races for Republicans and Democrats.

Let's figure in our latest projections and see what happens. As of right now, 40 Democrats guaranteed to be on the senate but 43 Republicans -- 43 Republicans, so you see that red rising at least a little bit as we have now confirmed or projected there will be at least 43 Republicans in the next Senate at least 40 democrats.

In the meantime we have a key race to alert.

Look at this, North Carolina, look how close it is, the Incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan. She's only got a 9,000 vote lead with 67 percent of the vote in over Thom Tillis, the Republican challenger. Look at this. 48.5 percent for Kay Hagan, 48 percent for Thom Tillis almost two million votes cast only 9,000 vote advantage. Still plenty of votes left out there.

In Kansas, also a very close 24 percent of vote is not in Pat Roberts with 49 percent, he's the longtime Republican Senator, Greg Orman and the independent challenger 47 percent on a 4,000 vote advantage for Pat Roberts, 24 percent of the vote in.

Look at Virginia right now, 87 percent of the vote in and it's narrowed dramatically 48.8 percent for Ed Gillespie. 48.5 percent for Mark Warner the incumbent Democrat, 87 percent of the vote in. It is very, very close. 6,450 advantage for Ed Gillespie.

Let's take a look at the Florida Governor's race right now. This is very, very close to Florida as well, 97 percent of the vote in. Rick Scott has 48 percent. Charlie Crist has 47 percent nearly 100,000 vote advantage there for Rick Scott with 3 percent -- 3 percent of the vote still outstanding.

North Carolina, 69 percent of the vote in, and now Tom Tillis 2,352 votes ahead of Kay Hagan, 69 percent of the vote in. Tom Tillis the Republican challenger of the incumbent Kay Hagan slightly ahead. We're watching this race very closely. Pat Roberts as you see still over there 49 to 47 percent over Greg Orman, only 24 percent of the vote is in.

These are close. These are incredibly close races in Florida. It's amazing what's going on there. In North Carolina right now, all of a sudden Tom Tillis has a slight advantage. KING: Pick your wow. Do you want to start North Carolina? We'll start at North Carolina. A lot of fiercely close races as you mentioned. Tom Tillis he's been behind all night. He just has passed -- nearly 70 percent of the vote counted in here. Now you're starting to look at the map and your saying what's left, right? So what's left?

So let's check, earlier I told you Mecklenburg County, a huge piece of Democratic vote only 11 percent in. So at Hagan headquarters they say, "OK, we've got a basket of votes still to come in", so they're looking at that.

If you're Tillis campaign you're looking around saying, "What's left out there for us?" or what's full for the Democrats nearly 70 percent of the vote counting. In Cumberland County, Fayetteville that's a Democratic area, still some more votes there potentially for Hagan, 90 percent in, here in Wake County.

I want to move over here as well to Durham County at 74 percent, and still some votes out here for Kay Hagan to come in these traditionally Democratic areas. And that's the question. That's the question for Tom Tillis as these rural votes have come in and these counties were up to 91 percent here, 76 percent here, so little bit out here. There's not as my people, 100 percent there.

The question of the Tillis campaign as they moved into that very narrow lead it came, as these counties came in. Are there anymore pockets of votes for them out there to offset, still some votes for Kay Hagan there. That's a wow. We're going to be counting that one. We got 30 percent of the vote left to go.

Let's just move up to neighboring Virginia because this one has tightened even more -- is that 6,000 votes. This is very, very tight. We're in 87 percent counted in. And again, I want to just tap a few counties randomly, just to show you in these Republicans areas 100 percent in, 100 percent in, 100 percent in.

So if you're at Gillespie campaign headquarters you know this. There's some votes out in the Washington suburbs and this is, you see it shaded blue. This is Democratic areas.

Right now 83 percent in, in Prince William County that's more exurbs. You start moving out of the suburb into the next urban area, Democratic country but Ed Gillespie putting up a good fight. This is where close races are won in Virginia, putting up a good fight. 17 percent left of that. We'll wait and watch that vote.

Fairfax City 100 percent in, so Mark Warner knows nothing left in the basket there. Fairfax County though, you still got some votes to come in, in the Democratic area. This could be the key. Normally -- this -- in a close race it's the Washington suburb -- Fairfax County is Mark Warner's biggest basket of potential votes as you watch that one play out.

Where you want to go next? We got a lot of wild going on. Let's take a peak at Georgia, a 59-39, this very interesting. Now we got a long way to go at 42 percent and I want to come up here and just see how we're doing in these Democratic areas here, only 24 percent in.

We move over to Fulton County, we don't have any big vote totals there. So, if you're looking at those numbers the Republicans have to like those numbers at the same time. We have a lot of big baskets, Democrats votes to go out.

BLITZER: And remember in Georgia you need 50 percent plus one to avoid a runoff in January.

KING: Right, right, 50 percent plus 1, so we'll watch that. If you're at Purdue headquarters you'll like what you see so far. But you also know some big baskets of Democratic votes that haven't come in yet. And now we'll go down here and we'll switch this to Governor's map and we can say wow again.

The question is, when we talked earlier or asked about this. Well if I said there was still mapping up down here for Charlie Crist to make it up. Here's the question can he make it up. What's the margin in that race there?

BLITZER: 90,000.

KING: 90,000 votes so the question is, are they out there? But well, they're not in Palm Beach County because Palm Beach County is now reported 100 percent. They're not so much in Broward County. We were waiting for this one, the big dope came in and you see here 68-30. So Charlie Crist is getting the margin he needs there. The question is are there enough votes left at 97 percent.

Simple arithmetic tells you, he's running out of places to get votes and again some votes left to come in Miami Dade County, 86 percent of the vote in. Charlie Crist running up a big margin there so there's yes, yes is there a potential that their out there? Yes. Is the opportunity window shirking for Charlie Crist? Absolutely, because Rick Scott ran up some big numbers in the smaller rural counties up in the panhandle and around the state here.

So, that's what you call as competitive as it gets, Wolf. And if you are at Crist headquarters you're getting worried in those bottom three counties. You're running out of space.

WOLF: All right John standby. We have another major projection right now.

And CNN projects, there will be a runoff in the State of Louisiana on December 6th. Neither Mary Landrieu nor her major Republican opponent Bill Cassidy will get the 50 percent plus 1 vote you need to avoid that runoff. There will be a runoff on December 6th between these two candidates.

Mary Landrieu the Democrat, the incumbent Bill Cassidy the Republican. So it's going to take at least another month or so before we know who will be next United States Senator from the State of Louisiana. There will be a run off there.

Got a huge surprise because getting the 50 percent margin was always going to be a challenge for either Mary Landrieu or Bill Cassidy where a strong, third-party candidate, another Republican Rob Maness. But take a look at the votes that we have right now, 90 percent of the vote actually in. Bill Cassidy has slight advantage 44 percent over 41 percent for Mary Landrieu and Rob Maness 11 percent. But this is 3,212 vote advantage. But you need 50 percent in order to avoid that runoff. It doesn't look like any of those candidates is going to get that runoff that we now project.

There will be a runoff in Louisiana. John, let's take a look at the Senate because Mary Landrieu, she may get reelected if she gets 50 percent. But in a runoff a lot of people thought -- a lot of people thought she's not going to, you know, one on one contest with the Republican she's going to be in deep trouble.

KING: In our exit polls today we asked than question and she looses not within a huge margin so there's time to make that up. But she looses. Let's see leave that one gold (ph). I've jumped ahead of you in a few places. I want to make that clear to our viewers.

If you're watching this now it's different from what you see there. What we do hear for this hypothetical is we've assigned Montana as a Republicans pick up because Democrats assume that's going to happen. We've already made the call in Idaho and Oregon.

So we've designed the races the way we think were going to go. On this map we still have Virginia blue. Let's watch as that one plays out. But let's leave it there for now and assume Mark Warner pulls it out late in the end. But if you give up the races that we think are all but certain to go one way or another here's where you're having. 47 Republicans, 45 Democrats, so the question is how the Democrats keep their majority?

Well at the moment we haven't called this race. But at the moment Jeanne Shaheen is winning up in New Hampshire. Let's assume she holds that narrow lead for the sake of this hypothetical, all right? So then we move on. We're going to be counting these votes all day tomorrow. But Republicans think they're going to win in Alaska. If that happens and again it's a hypothetical, we'll watch and we'll count the votes we promise you.

If that happens there it gets you up to 48-46. Now right now in Kansas Pat Roberts has inched ahead. Let's assume this one holds right here and Wolf, we'll come to this in just a second. We understand you've got a projection.

WOLF: I have a major projection right now. Jeanne Shaheen will be reelected. The United States Senator from the State of New Hampshire defeating Scott Ron, the Republican, the former Senator from Massachusetts. Another big win for the Democrats tonight. They desperately needed to maintain the seat in New Hampshire if they had any hope left of making the majority in the United States Senate.

So Jeanne Shaheen we project will be the winner and let's go back to John King to take a little analysis of what happened in New Hampshire. Jeanne Shaheen the Democrats desperately needed this win. They are going to get this win New Hampshire. KING: Familiarity from her days of as governor was up there just a couple of days ago driving around the state. She had bumper stickers I'm Jeanne. Vote for Jeanne not Governor Shaheen, not Senator Shaheen. That was her way around but all people can see there's an Obama drag in the state right now.

Scott Brown, we had a competitive race. Did a lot of retail politicking for which he was known for in Massachusetts but coming up just short in that state. The margin though tells you something because Jeanne Shaheen is such a popular figure.

So now we've given that one to the blues, right? Under this scenario and again we're going -- we're getting ahead of ourselves a little bit assigning Montana, giving this one to Republicans for the sake of argument. We always get the Republicans to 49-46.

Here's the challenge for the Democrats, they have to win a whole lot of places that are very, very tough. Their best hope would be Iowa, right? President Obama carried that state twice except one poll at the end showed a close most Republicans think that one is going into their column.

If the Republicans pick Iowa as we move west that would get them to 50. Wolf, that would get them to 50. And then you get out to Colorado. In this race Corey Gardner lead in this late polls, the Democrats say Mark Udall, I'm going to prove you wrong on election day with a massive turn out operation.

Colorado would be the key right now. The Republicans think this one is going red. I'm for the sake of this hypothetical going to say if Democrats can pull that one of a hat somehow then you get into these great races here. The North Carolina race we're still dealing with. If Kay Hagan can hold on, Tom Tillis is slightly ahead of them at the moment. But if she can hold on, here's where we could be at this for a while.

We still have the race in Georgia which might not be settled tonight. The race in Louisiana which we know won't be settled tonight. So it's conceivable we don't have a final answer tonight. Now Republicans think this ones going their way. They think some other might go their way.

But it is conceivable still as we watch. this would be the big turn around, the Colorado race right now in terms of races that we think will be settled at least before sun up, the Colorado race could decide the balance of power and this could be the add-ons.

WOLF: All right, stand by John. We're watching several cliffhanger races in the battle for United States Senate. Will there be more at the top of the hour, that's when polls closed in Iowa where former hog farmer and Tea Party favorite could turn the Senate seat from blue to red. Its one of the key races that could bring Republicans closer to winning Senate control.

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BLITZER: Republicans now need a net gain of only three more Senate seats to take control away from Democrats.

KING: Will they have new wins or more setbacks in the coming hour. Stand by for these projections.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The U.S. Capitol Building tonight as new votes come in the battle for the U.S. Senate. We're back in the CNN Election Center. I'm Wolf Blitzer.

We're counting down to another round of major poll closings and the big prize of tonight is still up for grabs. Which party will control the United States Senate? It all comes down to those 13 key senate races we've been following all night long. Several of those races have been decided. Where we're watching some nail bitters right now as well.

Indeed, the polls are about to close in two more key Senate battlegrounds in Montana and Iowa. Here is what we're looking for. In Iowa will Democrats take a hit from a former hog farmer, Congress Bruce Braley is in a slugfest right now with the Republican and Tea Party favorite Joni Ernst.

And in Montana Democrat Amanda Curtis is considered a long shot against Congressman Steve Daines. Will this be an easy pickup for Republicans? We may find out very, very soon.

Right now Republicans need a net gain of three seats to regain the majority in the Senate. They would be in control. We'll get newer results right at the top of the hour. Polls are closing Iowa, in Montana, in Nevada and Utah. In the meantime, let's go back to Anderson. Anderson.

COOPER: Yes Wolf, thanks very much. Our correspondents are positioned all throughout the country. They're getting the latest vote tallies. The newest vote tallies directly from election officials. I want to check on barn burner race in Iowa. But first we go to Pamela Brown, the headquarters of the Republican Candidate Joni Ernst, fascinating race.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It certainly is. And as you see the room is filling up here at the Ernst's headquarters. Folks have been speaking will say they are anxious but cautiously optimistic. It is today fiercely competitive race here Iowa. But they are confident that their candidate Joni Ernst will cross the finish line and win here tonight and become the first female combat Vet in the United States Senate. As you point out polls close in less than 10 minutes right from now.

Of course we'll get a better sense of where things stand after that. Right now Joni Ernst is up in her hotel room surrounded by family putting the finishing touches on her speech. I just spoke to one of her aides and asked how she's doing. I'm told she's in good spirits and that she is whiled by all of the attention that she's getting. I'm told she's really getting a kick out of it. This aide says that, you know, even though she's a Lieutenant Colonel, at the end of the day she is still a farm girl from a small town Iowa.

COOPER: All right.

BROWN: Back to you.

COOPER: Pamela thanks very much. And Poppy Harlow is standing by at the headquarters of the Democrats Bruce Braley, as Pamela said 10 minutes before polls close there.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right and Bruce Braley is doing just what Joni Ernst is doing with his family right now watching as the numbers start to come in. Look, this has been such an exciting race up to the last minute and nail bitters, the latest polls showing these two candidates neck and neck 47-47. The voters are going to decide.

Lot of these has been about the early vote. Even the Braley campaign admitting to us that Republicans have done a great job getting that early vote out. Democrats usually beat them in that. They don't think that will be cannibalized in terms of people that would have come and voted here. Republicans they think just got out early rather than getting more votes. We will see if they are right. Bruce Braley, Joni Ernst a fascinating race, the numbers coming in just a moment.

COOPER: Yes, and we'll see where those numbers stand as soon as those polls close in just a couple of minutes. I want to go back to John King with the magic balls and look at exit poll results. John.

KING: Anderson, let's look at the mood in the state of Iowa becoming increasingly important for the Democrats. 52 percent of the electorate women 48 percent of the electorate than men. One of the key question here we have an older electorate and the younger vote has dropped for both the presidential election and the 20 midterm that tends to bode well for Republicans to have an older electorate there.

Evenly spit pretty much 36 percent Republicans, 33 percent Democrats, 31 Independent voting in Iowa today. A one last one what's your view of government. Government is doing too much 60 percent. That bodes well for the conservative candidate.

I want to come over to the map. Iowa is incredibly increasingly critical to the Democrats because of their potential loses elsewhere. The Democratic pickups already and I want to focus on one right now as we look. Democrats knew they needed to hold the blues. Well Jeanne Shaheen has held New Hampshire.

Kay Hagan is in a very close race in North Carolina. The state President Obama carried once. The President carried Iowa twice and Colorado twice. I just want to show you the results right now in Colorado. Corey Gardner 50 percent, Mark Udall at 44 percent, 63 percent of the vote in. So we have some counting to do but this will be a stunning piece of analysis tomorrow if this holds up because Corey Gardner, this is why he was hand-picked by the Republican establishment because their candidate in 2010.

Let me take you there. Their candidate in 2010 could not perform in the Denver suburbs. That's Ken Buck. When President Obama won this state he won it here in the Denver suburbs. As we look at the map right now as you look at Denver City itself it's going Democratic, in the suburbs here Corey Gardner putting up a race. If Democrats are looking at these numbers in Colorado yes, there's a way to go. They know if they're about to loose that one, they better hold Iowa, Wolf.

BLITZER: Iowa, the polls are about to close there. Let's what's going to happen there, we'll also going to see what's happening in Montana.