Rep. Hanna on NY-22, Tenney and Why He Can’t Vote for Trump [Audio]

Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY22) has six months to go before he retires at the end of the year and it's pretty clear that he doesn't plan on going quietly.

The three-term representative sat in on First News with Keeler in the Morning last week and took random phone calls from constituents and vented about his dissatisfaction with the way Washington operates.

"Nothing gets done," Hanna complained while responding to one caller who blamed Republicans for refusing to pass any legislation. "It's not just Republicans," he said, "the Democrats are equally to blame."

"There are agendas so severe on both sides of the aisle that compromise is missing everywhere. What you're saying is true because the Republicans are in the majority; but, there is no less intractability on the Democratic side on their issues."

What he wants to accomplish before he leaves

"One of the great things about this job is I've learned a lot about pre-k. I've fallen in love with the subject and the opportunity," he said. "You get kids when they're two to five, and you can, it's a live changing opportunity pre-k is...quality pre-k not just any pre-k...and what you see is health care costs go down...they further their education, they just have better lives all the way around."

Hanna said he's proud of his accomplishments over the last 5 1/2 years and said he's the only representative to write about every bill he votes on in an effort to explain his position.  The summary of the vote is then posted on his website. Hanna also announced his personal cell phone number (315-794-9602) and invited people with questions to call him.

On Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney

Several times during the interview, Hanna referenced Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney who is one of three Republicans facing off in a June 28th primary.  Hanna, who defeated Tenney two-years ago 53 to 47 percent, continued to make the case that she would be a bad replacement for him in Washington.

"The conclusion that you can make about her record, and it's not personal at all, is that she's a serial candidate and she doesn't do the job when she has it," said Hanna.  He was referencing the fact that Tenney reportedly missed nearly 500 votes in Congress in 2014, according to a story in the Syracuse Post Standard.

Hanna said Tenney lacks the ability to compromise in order to get things done. "What has she produced? She's been in politics a long time. She talks about everything she's

against; I've never heard anything she's in favor of," he added. When referencing that Tenney voted against a 'Hire a Veteran Tax Credit bill' for New York employers, host Keeler explained in her defense that there were unrelated things in that bill that she couldn't support, Hanna snapped back. "Fine. That's life lady. You know...get over it!"

While Hanna fell short of endorsing anyone to fill his seat, he eluded that he supports Republican Steven Wells during the interview. He said he likes the other Republican, George Phillips; but, seemed to be favoring Wells in the upcoming primary.

Tenney will face off against Steven Wells and George Phillips in a Republican debate on Monday, June 13 at 7 a.m. on WIBX. The debate will also be simulcast over WFXV FOX 33 TV.

On whether he can support Donald Trump for President

"I can't vote for him and the list of reasons why is just growing daily," Hanna said. When a caller explained that he himself originally didn't support Trump; but, does now that he's the nominee he might because he might actually get some good things done, Hanna responded by saying, "Well, if that's the case, maybe I'll vote for him in a second term." Keeler then asked Hanna if he could find himself in a scenario where he could vote for Hillary Clinton.

"I haven't thought about it that way.  I want to vote and I want to feel good about my vote and right now I don't, so I don't know what I'm going to do," Hanna said. "I know for sure I could never vote for Bernie Sanders."

Related Content: Hanna Tells Canadian Newspaper He's Disillusioned with Washington- click here to read more

Check out the full 45-minute interview below:

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