Setting sights on 2016

>> operative class? well, you at least get to say hey i was on you''04.

>> i was on '04.

>> how right was he? i go back to the same question. who lost this election mitt romney or the republican party ?

>> he's right. they're interlinked. but, you know, mitt romney in many ways was a bridge candidate to a changing republican party . you look at the deep bench of chris christie , paul ryan , marco rubio , ted cruz , susana martinez. it feels really dark today, but there is a bright side for republicans. and we're going to have some great faces moving forward.

>> the dark ages of the republicans in '64 meant they weren't going to win another presidential election until 1968 . four years later. i mean these things do have a way of turning the democrats.

>> and 2016 will be a changed election of course. i think we're going to have a little bit of a break until then, but what a fascinating race on both sides. democrats and republicans. but i think in terms of who won the election or not, better campaigns --

>> when is the better campaign lost in a presidential? right. i mean, nobody wants to fully admit it. i know.

>> but bad winning in fairness you become the better candidate.

>> bush won, i guess.

>> when you lose it's always the finger pointing. but i would say tonight republican friends having been there in january of 2005 , i've got a book of talking points i'll send you. same question. who's the leader of the party, what do you stand for.

>> lets for sure. you saw mike taking a shot at stu stephens who ran romney's campaign. there'll be a lot of that feeling.

>> i can't let this go because i'm focused on presidential already. why not? we've talked about the different -- we know the republicans. the first one to iowa . you say jindal will beat rubio to iowa . that he's first? is the democratic race all about just waiting for hillary?

>> yes. absolutely.

>> all you new yorkers think you're going to control this.

>> here's how that waiting is going to work. people like cuomo and mally will say we're going to run no matter what.

>> and then the runs.

>> maybe.

>> and if she runs they got to get out of the way.

>> joe biden has been blatant about it. he called up the new new hampshire governor and is having fun with this.

>> he's been saying all along --

>> and nobody's believed him.

>> i don't think that democrats have to get out of the way. i mean, one perfect example is 2007 . i mean, i do not think -- a, i'm not convinced she's going to run. i think she will not run.

>> how about this? i think she thinks she's not running. but i'm not convinced.

>> that's a good way to put it.

>> she may think today. but i think it's going to take a bit of time to think about --

>> i think the day of clearing the field is over. people are going to run.

>> for hillary in particular, particularly again --

>> first woman president. i don't know. i'm with you, karen. i think she might be the last one that could do it.

>> how do you as a white male candidate make an argument to the electorate that -- the democratic electorate. i think that's tough.

>> you know what? new yorkers and the state of iowa .

>> cory booker has roots in iowa .

>> hickenlooper, there's a bunch of hickenloopers buried in iowa .