Transcript for Rep. Keith Ellison Says Most Important Criteria for DNC Chair is 'Vision'

Policies that he anybody. Well from the democratic side of the fence and cool thinks that who's who's terrified of the possibility of president trump. Better hope that a kid acted better get involved because. This man has got some momentum and we better be ready for the fact that he baby leave the Republican ticket next. You don't believe that I don't know what it's been hacking attack that. I think we always we had Jesse Ventura in Minnesota win the governorship nobody thought he was gonna win until you stranger things have happened. Prophetic congressman Keith Ellison their co chair of the congressional progressive caucus he joins us right now. Carson thank you for joining us this morning. Hey did turned out to Democrats did not come out in the numbers they came out four for Barack Obama five million fewer voters than win for Barack Obama back in 2000. Twelve to so what went wrong. Yeah that's a good question George I think did the Doug Donald Trump. Take two on people's fears their anxieties. And he gave you some try to blame. And some folks is really turned out for him for that at the same time. Our message of strengthening. The middle class working people. We just didn't penetrate well enough and we didn't have the kind of turnout that we really needed or expected. Worked hard on it but it didn't come through in places like Wisconsin Michigan Pennsylvania. Really should have because people are struggling in the democratic message of the democratic platform would help them. But. Somehow. It didn't come up the way it should have blazers will is Hillary really already defied were already is Hillary Clinton write the James coming hoster the election. I think that it did not help it certainly stopped the change the conversation the conversation should about been about. Middle class people the conversation should have been about how to you don't raise the minimum wage to console security. But then we start talking about this oh email stuff again. And now the outcome is that you don't. Donald Trump has somebody who is looking to add to put on his blue his his cabinet who's a lobbyist to privatize Social Security. That's the outcome. The love of this election and even in much more. I know you're considering jumping into this race for DNC chair chair of the democratic Nash can you already have a lot of support when you look at this very closely divided. Election even though Hillary Clinton. Won the popular vote you now have Republicans in charge of the White House the congress. A majority of governors more governors and it had in a hundred years more statehouses in they have ever had before a lot of Democrats complain that that party has been. Basically hollowed out. Under President Obama how do you fix it. I think you've got to. We have a vision. To strengthen the grass roots to strip in the grass roots at the party at the party unit at the county level at the precinct level. And then they help motivate and facilitate. The liberal new local grassroots to get out there and turn out the -- booms turn out. And then to help govern. And then in places where we do whole city councils and state legislatures. And then also to help be part of that loyal opposition. We did we need to invest at the local party unit. And focus our energy on turnout. That's how we come back and we can't come back he sees us simply a matter of energy and resource use these said that the party spend it had a little bit too much focus on pleasant fund raising not enough on the grassroots. Well I'd I do believe that we should have to probably the voters first but not the owners first I love the dollars and we thank them. But if it has still need. That that that guys in the barber shop. The lady at the diner the folks who are worried about whether that plant is going to close they've got to be. Our focus they've got to be a laser being focus on everything we do everything we do should enemy in empowered them. At the grassroots level for working people across this country that's how we come back there's a lot of energy in the streets as well you heard Rudy Giuliani C thinks that a lot of this protest is a professional. Protesters right there guys a what is your message to them. How does that how do you channel that energy and can and must have remained peaceful. Well absolutely has to remain peaceful but. Look you know the First Amendment says that we can protest in Madrid and call from two on our government to redress grievances. These folks are telling Donald from that if he tries to move out on his planned to have a deportation squad. Two two to harm Americans. And if he does and if he has he tries to do that we're gonna be there to stay added say no. We don't we'll post his misogyny we'll pulses. Picking on people of different route ethnic didn't end in religious groups and we wanna be making clear. This if he tries to. Deliver on his word that we will be here to say no problem that's why people are on the street. How much of the areas where he could work but Democrats he mentioned a big infrastructure investment you all have been very supportive of that he says that even though he wants you repeal and replace Obama came I want to preserve. Some parts. Well you know that would be a welcome development that we'll see if he wants to deliver on that. The truth is that if he does we want to see infrastructure development until we think all over this country we need to rebuild. Everything from transit. Five rob big broad band in a rural areas and urban areas. Those things are that's that's a worthy program we'll see if he really means it though he won't get a chance to deliver on their promise that if he doesn't. Will make sure the people know about it finally are you formally can enter this race for DNC chair and if you do and if you become chair. Of the party will he step down. From congress a lot of people believe including Howard Dean is looking at this that the party demands a full time share. We all the most important criteria for DNC chairs going to be vision. Do you have the vision did help empower and channel that energy at the grassroots level does not about while person this is Bob millions of people. All working together to protect and advance that inches of working Americans that's what it's really about. Vision and the ability to mobilize and inspire people the grassroots that's what. The most important criterion is going to be four in the DNC chair. And so look I've been talking the paint ball all over the country City Council members grassroots leaders. The party leaders members of congress and you know what the change this I'll have some to say she will soon. OK we will be listening. Carson thanks very much your time this morning. Thank you.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.