His withdrawal has unleashed a torrent of enthusiasm

[pat_k]

43. Understood.

I hope others upset with the public statements don't harbor resentments.

I may be wrong, but I think most of the lawmakers who came out publicly did try to convey concerns privately through Jefferies and Schumer, and only came out publicly because concerns they believed were legitimate were brushed aside.

Perhaps it's a chicken egg sort of problem. Were the lawmakers giving voice to voter concerns, or did the public statements drive voter concerns? I think the former -- that
a significant portion of democratic voters had concerns that predated the debate and any public statements by lawmakers. The lack of enthusiasm for Biden (e.g., Biden polling behind Senate candidates) predated the debate. The heart-breaking debate ratcheted up concerns and the lawmakers gave voice to the concerns they were hearing/seeing, first within their respected caucuses, then in public statements.