When on camera, Republicans insiders Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy keep to their talking points, but what do they really think? What do they say when the microphones are off? Or, at least, when they think the microphones are off?
In case you need it, here’s a transcript:
Murphy: You know, I come out of a blue, swing-state governor world. Engler, Whitman, Tommy Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, I mean, and these guys, this is all like how you win a Texas race, just run it up. And it’s not going to work.
Noonan: It’s over.
Murphy: Still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.
Todd: Don’t you think this Palin pick was insulting to to Kay Bailey Hutchison?
Noonan: I saw Kay this morning.
Todd: She’s never been comfortable about that. I mean…
Murphy: They’re all bummed out.
Todd: Is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?
Noonan: The most qualified? No. I think they went for this — excuse me — political bullshit about narratives..
Todd: Yeah, they went for narratives.
Noonan: … and they don’t understand the picture.
Murphy: I totally agree.
Noonan: Everytime Republicans do that — because that’s not where they live and it’s not what they’re good at — they blow it.
Murphy: You know what’s really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is “no cynicism”…
Todd: and this is cynical. And as you called it, gimmicky.
Murphy: Yup.
Tood: Thanks guys.
Murphy: See you later.
UPDATE: Noonan tries to explain what she said.
