National Republican Campaign Committee Chairman Greg Walden rubbed the big victories for Republicans in the Democrats’ faces Wednesday, declaring that the GOP “kicked their tails” after President-elect Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton and the GOP kept hold of both houses of Congress.
Walden made the declaration during a press conference at the Republican National Committee alongside Sen. Roger Wicker and RNC chief of staff Katie Walsh, who all praised GOP efforts that culminated in victories on Tuesday and declared RNC Chairman Reince Priebus the “most successful chairman” in modern RNC history.
“Frankly, I don’t know how to say it — we kicked their tails last night, and we did it knowingly, willfully, thoughtfully and with a lot of planning,” Walden said, noting that their polling and turnout projections were “spot on,” as were their data and messaging.
Walden praised House Speaker Paul Ryan for the GOP’s efforts to keep Congress in Republican control, including the House, which saw the Democrats with only a net gain of seven seats. That number could still rise as three seats remain uncalled.
Wicker, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who described the upcoming work between the Congressional Republicans and Trump as a “partnership.”
“He has a mandate to do what he campaigned on,” Wicker said. “I think it will be a partnership, and I think we all understand our role.”
“We’re on the same page,” Walden followed up.
The Mississippi Republican also predicted that Senate leadership would remain unchanged when the 115th Congress opens in January.
“I do not expect any shake-up in the leadership. I think Sen. McConnell and the leadership team will be re-elected,” Wicker said, noting that the only change will be the end of his two-year term as NRSC chairman in January, adding, “that will be a welcome change.”
