they were prepared for the attacks. they knew a full range of the issues that might be brought up, could be brought up. they had seen some of the documents floating around republican circles in terms where they would go. they were ready to defend and defend her in a full-throated manner. their biggest concern is not what josh hawley is going to bring to the table. they believe they can keep their 50 in line. they want a couple of republicans if they can. calibrating that in terms of the response. defend your nominee, as full-throated as you can, as sharply as you can and a rapid response manner but making sure susan collins feels good about your nominee. that's what they have been trying to do. >> you reported this week there are republican concerns that this is not a news cycle conducive to amplifying these attacks on this issue when there's a war happening in ukraine. >> right. i talked to a lot of republican stra strategists. we can put up a little fight. but we would rather focus on pocketbook issues that we feel will resonate more with voters in the midterms than the attacks