Dem
49
GOP
51
Politicians are not always as dumb as they act. For political reasons, they often say one thing when they believe the exact opposite. But off the record, they will sometimes tell (friendly) reporters what they really think. The Hill's congressional reporter, Mychael Schnell, talked to a number of House Republicans off the record last night. They were despondent. One told her: "I'm just sad. She knew exactly where to cut to get under his skin. Just overall disappointing that he isn't being more composed like the first debate." Another said: "The road just got very narrow. This is not good."
Another House Republican said: "She talks to us like toddlers but is doing a good job provoking him. He [is] right on policy but can't keep to a message. Many are disappointed he couldn't stay focused or land a punch. Not sure much changes but it wasn't a good performance."
Yet another House Republican said: "I think he is all over the map and has missed opportunities to hammer her record. He's made strong points on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy, but it's been disjointed at times." Another one said: "Rough start." Still another one said: "I didn't watch it, but I'm not hearing anything good from it."
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) tweeted: "Trump doing very well & he is right on policy but this debate is skewed!" All Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) could manage was that Trump's performance was "strong."
House Democrats were wildly enthusiastic. One said: "Probably the most one-sided debate victory I have ever seen. Trump is so much more unhinged and incoherent than I thought he would be, and she is poised, strong, and pitch perfect." The representative is probably too young to have seen Lloyd Bentsen wipe the floor with Dan Quayle in the 1988 vice presidential debate. Another said: "I'm proud of her. I stand with her. She makes sense and he's nuts." (V)