You are right. Thanks. The “it’s awful” part. Do you think he means “it’s awful strategy”, or “it’s awful ethically”? I assume the former, mostly because of the earlier “poll-tested” part. The reason I am asking is because they probably have a much better idea than anyone else how this is playing out in the public. If they mean “it’s awful strategy”, then it would seem unambiguous that the Republicans are getting some encouraging numbers.
The RATS must have bet that the campaign to 'BRAND' the GOP as extremists, terrorists, bomb wearing, would pull their [the GOP's] numbers down so far they couldn't recover.
The RATS had to take the 'We won't Negotiate' track else, if they give during this time, it will set a precedent going forward.