josh: this sunday on close-up, the votes are counted and we have a new u.s. senator after a very long night and a thin margin after a divisive election? we will talk about moving forward and healing. >> so you have never been closer to a presidential bid >>? >>that is fair to say. josh: what donald trump said about possible run for the white house. i am josh mcelveen. it went right down to the wire but when the dust settled it was

more than income it senator kelly ayotte -- incumbent cylinder kelly ayotte. governor hassan, good to see you. >> good to see you. josh: what was election night watching your race and what we saw at the top of the ticket? >> i have been so grateful to new hampshirr candidate for the united states senate, so election night is always a combination of that at a fair amount of uncertainty, that we just wanted to make sure we were working as hard as we could write up to the 11th hour to make sure that every vote was cast and counted. i think what we saw unfold tuesday night was some of the divisions that this campaign season have exposed.

talking with the people of new hampshire constantly as governor and campaigning, and we have a lot in common so now it is time we come together and try to your out how to move forward. josh: how is your thought process change it? like most of the country you probably thought if you want you would be working with the clinton -- if you one you would be working with the clinton administration. gov. hassan: that is right but we have seen an concession speech -- gracious and thoughtful concession speech. our commitment to peaceful transitions, that is what we are seeing unfold right now. if we stay focused on what binds us as americans i think we are going to do just fine. we do have some real differences and we are going to have to figure out how to address those. what i'm looking forward to in washington is representing the people of new hampshire to

and senator elect and then senator. we know people will want to come together and build a brighter future and an economy that includes everyone. we know it is possible to keep our economy moving forward and our country safe. my first order of business is going to be to try to get that emergency funding to help us combat our opioid crisis. that is our most pressing challenge. forward. josh: what kind of advice have you had from senator jeanne shaheen? similar with your career trajectory, has she said here is what you should expect coming down to washington, how it is a much different job. gov. hassan: whatever the job has been whether state senator or governor, my focus is always

best ideas that people have from both sides. a number of the things we have accomplished in new hampshire over the past four years has been because we have included ideas from both perspectives, republican and democrat. that is what senator shaheen works to do and that is when i am focused on doing. it is great to have jeanne shaheen as a friend and mentor, and she has been a terrific friend for a long time. josh: you are heading to washington supporter of hillary clinton and a lot of things were said about donald trump by supporters of hillary clinton. are you buoyed by what you have seen so far? do you like what you are hearing from donald trump? gov. hassan: i think it is really important that he is focused on how to move through his transition into the role of

seriousness that the role requires. the president of the united states not only obviously is chief executive our country, but he represents to the rest of the world our ideals and our values. those are values and ideals that stand for the very basic proposition that every single person counts. that is what our founders really set out all move forward with that sense of respect to our american values, our history as a country , and finding a way to make sure that we are honoring those in this modern and changing world. josh: secretary clinton said in her concession speech at the trump administration needs to be approached with an open mind, and he deserves a chance to lead. there is still some healing that

things that were offensive to a lot of different people, women, and minorities. will there be a period of adjustment? gov. hassan: i think we are at our strongest and people who have been hurt or shocked by things that have been said speak up about that in as constructive and thoughtful a way as they can. i think just as we should approach the president elect's administration with an open mind as secretary clinton urged us to do, i think and i'm hoping he will reciprocate as well and listen to the people who have been so concerned. and let's find a way forward and he'll. i know we are all capable of that. there is so much that binds us in common. if elected officials would follow the example of the people of new hampshire who solve

they do it even when they have differences of opinion. political or otherwise. we are capable of doing that as a country and we have a history of doing it. campaigns tend to expose divisions and certainly this one can's -- exposed considerable ones. we also know in the period after campaigns we have a history of coming together, finding common ground, and moving forward. we are perched, or maybe the better word is we are lead in the 21st century economy because we believe in the value of every person and you can unleash talent and energy and grow and thrive because of that. that is what we should be focused on, how do we make sure that every granite stater and american has the opportunity to learn, to works -- hard and get focused and stay ahead. that is what i will be focused on. when i can agree and work with

when i think it is necessary to stand up to him i will do that. josh: you must feel some sense of optimism that when he has been in new hampshire and he has been here a lot, he does talk about the drug problem here and promises to address it. gov. hassan: i am verybuoyed -- i am very buoyed by that. walks of life and we need to find a way to come together. his is one of the areas where resources really do matter so i'm hopeful we will stay focused on resources for law enforcement and prevention, treatment, and recovery so that we can beat this epidemic and move forward. josh: let's talk about your race, razor thin. it was rough and tumble. it was a rough race, especially with the third-party attacks. you got a call from senator

she was incredibly gracious and congratulated me on the race and wished me well. i congratulated her because she ran a really excellent race too, and i wished her well in her family well, and thanked her for her service. i am thankful for the call and appreciate of at the end of the day we know when campaigns are done, they are done. josh: politics are not personal or at least they should not be. gov. hassa and what i think is really important is for everybody to understand we are trying to focus on our ideas, issues that matter, and votes that matter. that is what i tried to do in this campaign and what i want to make sure the people of new hampshire understand is my commitment to them as senator elect and soon-to-be senator, is just as it has been as governor, to work every day to reflect the priorities they expect to make, to understand their frustrations

and address those frustrations, and make sure that we really honor each other's ideas and approaches. if we do that we have been able to move forward. that is what i have worked on as governor and want to work on in the united states senate. i work with people with both parties and all perspectives. josh: we have talked about the transition and power taking place in washington. chris sununu is going to be t has there been some dialogue about transition? gov. hassan: my administration started planning for a transition, obviously not knowing who the next governor would be. i reached out to governor elect sununu yesterday morning. have had a couple of good conversations and i will continue to work with him and his team very closely moving forward to make sure it is smooth. josh: over the course of the last year, he declared i think

gov. hassan: early october of 2015. josh: will you have a time to unwind and get refreshed? gov. hassan: i try to build in a little time every day and take a deep breath, and i'm looking forward to the next few days in particular having a few more days of my family. they have been just amazing during this whole experience starting when i started running for the state senate. family of new hampshire and are excited about what the next six years bring, and i'm grateful. josh: maybe get in some workouts. one of the profiles you let us come to the gym with you. every can work out with paul ryan. gov. hassan: i am always happy to work out. it can be a fun and competitive experience. josh: best of luck moving forward. we will be right back with renee plummer and john broderick talking about healing and moving

josh: welcome back. after an election cycle that was as contentious and divided as any some wonder about the path forward as a united nation.

activist renee plummer and john broderick. good to see you. quite a cycle, no question about that. there was plenty of political theater, but when it came to the article that you wrote before the election, why did you decide to do it? renee: just because of what happened last night were last week. we are talking about people writing, that my there is going to dry up in the street. so john and i have cochaired the new hampshire no labels. we understand there is a path to putting everybody together. everybody has some sort of goals, and i think for me, i needed it to get out there before the election to tell people that we have to work together. i was really concerned about riots in the way people were

i want people to see two people that are completely opposite, but we have to have some goals that we can work forward and work towards. john: i did it because rene told me to do it. i did what rene tells me. rene and i are in difficult -- different political parties but that is not the point. both of us, and most americans, are concerned about the future of the united states. having watched washington at some point it really matters that it is dysfunctional. have so many challenges both here and overseas. if we cannot sit down as americans and say, we need to solve this problem, it is not going to be easy. the language in politics these days demonizes people who disagree with you. we have disagreed but it never

be one to step up and solve the nation's problems, or at least discuss them. at some point without being too dramatic, at some point the challenges will not be solved. we need to fix it. josh: i have to picture that when he wrote this article, it was before the election, it probably came the assumption probably came the assumption that hillary clinton was goi you can admit to that or not. renee: for me, it did not matter. did i think that the republicans were going to win? not the way it happened but we have to be together because there are people who probably feel very much like we do but to not have the voice. to have the former chief justice

with what is going on but do not know where to go, do not aware to channel this. let us be the ones that are out there. i want everybody in the country to see this. also, my biggest fear is that there are people in this world that want to hurt us. the more that we see -- the more that they see how weak america is they are loving this. i want us as citizens to make america strong. i do not want us to be weak. on the same path as we are. you do not need to go ahead and be physically, go into these riots. i hate it, just hate it. need to sit down and have a conversation and work towards making things better. josh: same question for you, because language matters as you

when you read this article maybe you are thinking it was going to be hillary clinton. john: did i think hillary clinton would be president? i did. was i shocked question mark i was. i did not write it like it only applied as if she won or did not win. the challenge is the same. we have had a democratic president and a republican congress and they cannot agree on the shape of the table. we have got to change our attitude. i'm old enough to remember elections past and what happened the day following. donald trump is a president-elect of the united states. what i have selected him? no. does that matter? no. we need to find common ground and both parties need to stop insulting each other, stop

year ago not to run and spoke in the rose garden -- joe biden and he decided a year ago not to run and spoke in the rose garden he said we need to find consensus in american life or it will be too late. we have got to stop this righteous sense of i am right, you are wrong. you are the enemy, i am the good guy. as long as that continues, we lose. the other thing i think people can be doing, my son mentioned toe, have to wait for washington to do everything. some of the tension in our society is with various religious sects or racial sects. why do we have to wait for washington to solve our problem? why don't we extend the olive branch and change the discussion? renee: that is absolutely how i feel and do not forget, we put the people in washington so we

does washington set? maybe i am being pollyanna. maybe because of the uncertainty around donald trump, and the fear factor because we have been told about his temperament, that may be republicans and democrats who have been in gridlock for so long may be more willing to discuss things to create a bubble and work together to make sure that the government is run properly. john: obviously, i do not know donald trump. i only know what we know -- what you know. was going to represent all the people of the united states, he might find some legislative initiatives that include all the people. for example, do we need infrastructure in america? absolutely. is there any politics in it? it is not obvious. there are a lot of americans in our country who need jobs shields, job training and

if you start with issues that people can coalesce. on the other hand if you start with divisive issues that will not happen. josh: he has recognized repeatedly in new hampshire the opioid crisis, the crisis of addiction. renee: yes, but unfortunately that is that bad that it is bringing everyone this. but we have to. he understood that, he understood veterans issues, so i was pleased about that. it is just too bad that is what brings us together, but if it is going to bring us together then we will do it. josh: i would not be doing my job if i did not get your take on this. donald trump i'd be in position to appoint three justices to the

of justices are you hoping for? renee: will you get a phone call? john: i am not holding my breath. i spoke to you sometime ago when merrick garland was being held up which i think was an appropriate. i said to you then and i say now, i want democracy to work. if donald trump nominates people i may not like them, but that is not the acid test. and i would say yes. i hope we do not get into that, i did not choose them and we are not going to give you a hearing. josh: i appreciate the work that both of you have been doing.

josh: this was donald trump's first visit to new hampshire when he was considering a presidential run in it was quite a scene and portsmouth as the crowd shut down the street. i traveled to new york for my first interview in late january 2011. here's a look back at the interview and the story that followed. he was almost a candidate in 2000, even going so far as to form an exploratory committee. >> i will probably be making a decision in january or february.

get the feeling it might be different. is it fair to say you have never been closer? >> that is fair to say, i have never been closer. i have never seen this country so little respected. josh: and respect is a word you hear a lot from trump especially when it comes from china. >> the president of china comes in, we give him a state dinner. he is ripping us off and we are honoring him. josh: what actions you believe this and what would you do differently? >> i know the chinese people and i have had chinese partners. you must get respect. if you do not they're going to walk all over you and that is what has happened here. they do not respect our leadership or our representatives, and the problem is we are rebuilding china and we have all the power. they say, they have almost $1 trillion of our debt.

we are talking about in terms of taxing their products as they come in. we have all the power. china would close up if we ever stopped buying from them so we have the power. the problem is our representatives do not know how to use the power we have. josh: trump also calls the iraq war a huge mistake and said he would pull out of afghanistan now. >> we spent $1.3 trillion in iraq and if new hampshire you cannot get any money from the federal government, explained that. what have we done? there were no weapons of mass destruction, etc. at the same time we have people out there that hate us, i think wrongfully, but they hate us. we have to be prepared to really go after them if they play games with us. i want to see the money spent in this country. we have been in afghanistan and iraq, the longest war this

it is time to get out and start taking care of ourselves. josh: speaking of new hampshire, trump has been here many times and though he does not recall the last time he says he can relate. >> i love the attitude of the people. i love the fact that they love working, because i'm a worker. hampshire is a great place. josh: what do you think about the role in choosing the next president? >> it is very important. it used to of timing, now it is the second, but it is the first primary. i have many friends that live in new hampshire and they are great people. josh: trump says do not be surprised if you see him here soon and while he cannot make anything official he is talking about things that may resonate with voters. >> when you have a credit card problem and call out somebody --

i look at these things, i am a natural businessman, and i understand business. i always have had an ability at it. i look at the kind of decisions that are being made in washington and i say, isn't it a shame? ultimately it is taking this great country, our great country down the tubes. i am seriously thinking about running and i will make a decision by june. josh:

>> today on "matter of fact," you were a witness to history as the trump era puts republicans firmly in charge. >> the american people are looking for results. >> how will they use it? >> people at the bottom of the income ladde chance. >> can you get behind the president-elect? >> it could be a big win. the one issue that could pull americans together. and washington in need of a job. >> i came to washington, d.c., with a young wife and daughter. >> what he wants you to consider this veterans day. but first -- soledad: what is ahead for the next four years. i am soledad o'brien.