Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press this morning, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) argued that Republicans can win the White House in 2012, even if some pundits think that the GOP field is weak or that President Obama is unbeatable.

“What I’m reminded of is how the Jimmy Carter White House was thinking in ‘79 and ’80,” McConnell said. “They were pulling for Ronald Reagan. They thought he was too extreme, and too old, and surely if he were the nominee they’d be just fine.”

“Somebody is going to get on a winning streak on our side,” he predicted. “When you start winning, people start paying attention.”