demoralize asking add odds with what blumenthal claimed. there was no need to keep his feelings private. >> in fact, judge gorsuch specifically said, you should feel free to mention what i said about these attacks being disheartening and demoralizing. >> reporter: as well as what a federal republican said after he met with judge gorsuch. >> we talked about that and frankly he got pretty passionate about it. >> reporter: they are insisting the judge condemn the president publicly. >> to whisper to a senator, but to refuse to say anything public is not close to a good enough show on independence. so, for my view, not a good start for judge gorsuch. not a good start. >> reporter: senate republicans are offering a glimpse of their talking points, too. >> i think that what judge gorsuch is showing here is his independent character, the fact that as a judge he's going to call them as he sees them. >> reporter: either way the