Senate Republicans hoping to go on offense this week found themselves instead playing defense onc…

Senate Republicans hoping to go on offense this week found themselves instead playing defense once again because of controversial remarks by President TrumpDonald John TrumpWarren: I feel ‘deep down fury’ that Trump downplayed pandemic NYT reporter removed from Trump rally in MichiganTrump says he didn’t share classified information following Woodward bookMORE this time to Watergate reporter Bob Woodward.
It was a familiar dilemma for GOP senators used to being chased by reporters over their thoughts on Trumps latest furor, but in this case it came with terrible timing eight weeks before an election where the Senate is on the line, and as they hoped to call attention to Democrats blocking a coronavirus relief bill Thursday on a procedural motion.
Privately, Senate Republicans expressed bewilderment over why Trump agreed to 18 interviews with Woodward, some of then happening as late as 10 oclock in the evening.
Most of us say, What the hell is he doing talking to Bob Woodward at 11 at night? said one GOP senator.
He does a lot of things none of us understand, the source added.
Trump told Woodward he intentionally downplayed the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, which has now killed more than 190,000 people in the United States, because he did not want to start a panic.
The remarks have been ripped by critics, who say Trump might have saved lives if he had much more consistently and loudly sounded the alarm about a virus that in private, he acknowledged was much worse than the common flu.
Trump has defended his conduct this week, saying he was working as a cheerleader for the country and that it was right not to overly panic people. But some GOP senators arent buying the damage control.
Sen. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling bipartisan energy billTop health officials pledge to keep politics out of COVID-19 vaccine processMORE (R-Alaska), who earlier this year said she wasnt certain shed vote for Trump, conceded on Thursday that she was very concerned about the accounts she had read in the press.
Some of the things I find quite surprising and quite concerning. But again, I havent had an opportunity to read these full interviews, but some of the press snippets have been certainly very, very, very concerning, she told reporters.
Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyThe Memo: Woodward revelations deepen Trump troublesSenate panel to vote next week on authorizing subpoenas for Biden, Obama-era probesThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Florida hangs in the balanceMORE (R-Utah), who voted to convict Trump on an article of impeachment in February, said the president should have leveled with the nation about the threat posed by the coronavirus when he was alerted by national security officials in January.
I think were always better leveling with the American public and that maintains credibility rather than trying to tell them one thing when you believe another, Romney said.
Other Republican senators have publicly downplayed the Woodward book and defended Trump, saying he took the coronavirus seriously and helped save lives.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHillicon Valley: Russia, China and Iran target US elections | Twitter to remove premature election results | Treasury adds Russians, Ukrainians to designated nationals listOvernight Health Care: Senate Democrats block GOP relief bill | Democrats reveal Medicaid chief’s spending on high-paid consultants | Trump calls question about why he ‘lied’ about COVID-19 a ‘disgrace’ On The Money: Senate Democrats block GOP relief bill | Senators don’t expect stimulus until after election | Jobless claims plateauMORE (R-Ky.) in an interview with Fox News said officials in Washington knew the coronavirus would be dangerous.
Well, I havent read the Woodward book, but we all knew it was dangerous. The president knew it was dangerous and I think took positive steps very early on, for which he should be applauded, not criticized, he said.
The issue didnt come up at conference-wide lunch meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, though Republican senators have discussed the matter in small private conversations.
A second Republican senator said colleagues were scrambling to try to understand the political implications of Woodwards reporting less than two months from Election Day.  
What they say to me is, Did you see this? and What does it mean? the lawmaker said, characterizing conversations with colleagues.
Trump is behind Democratic nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenHarris calls it ‘outrageous’ Trump downplayed coronavirus Historian predicts Trump downplaying pandemic will go down as ‘the greatest dereliction of duty’ in presidential historyOvernight Defense: Trump announces new US ambassador to Afghanistan | Pentagon officially withdraws plan to end ‘Stars and Stripes’ | Biden says Trump doesn’t understand national security, intel officials ‘don’t trust’ himMORE in polls of key swing states that will decide the election, though the margins are close. The GOP has a 53-47 seat edge in the Senate, meaning Democrats could win the majority by taking the White House and netting three seats.
Some Republicans see the Woodward book as a Beltway story unlikely to make real waves in the election.
I just wonder, Whose vote will be changed by a Bob Woodward book? the second Republican senator said.
As Fauci said yesterday, basically none of got this right. He basically said the president did not distort reality, the source added, referring to Anthony FauciAnthony FauciFauci warns US needs to ‘hunker down’ for fall, winter: ‘It’s not going to be easy’Three ways to keep communities moving forwardPoll: Most Americans wouldn’t take a COVID-19 vaccine before the electionMORE, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Fauci in late January said: We still have a low risk to the American public, but we want to keep it at a low risk.
Trumps remarks about the coronavirus arent the only controversial comments in the Woodward book.
Woodward also quoted Trump telling his trade adviser Peter Navarro that my fucking generals are a bunch of pussies because they cared more about their alliances than they do about trade deals.
Asked by Woodward if he was trying to understand the anger and the pain, particularly, Black people feel in this country, Trump responded: You really drank the Kool-Aide, didnt you? Just listen to you. Wow. No, I dont feel that at all.
McConnell dodged questions about Woodwards reporting at a press conference Wednesday that was intended to focus on an upcoming vote on the Republicans slimmed-down coronavirus relief bill.
I didnt look at the Woodward book. I will later, McConnell said when asked if Trump had put Americans in danger by not fully explaining the health threat. Thats a question for the White House.
Senate Republicans in tough races also avoided questions about Woodwards reporting.
Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsTrump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlashJoe Lieberman endorses Susan Collins: ‘I’m a lifelong Democrat but I put my country first’McConnell tries to unify GOPMORE (R-Maine) walked quickly into Thursdays morning series of votes, flanked by an aide who shielded her from a reporter who yelled a question in her direction about Trump downplaying the threat of coronavirus.
Sen. Joni ErnstJoni Kay ErnstThe Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind – VP nominee Harris, VP Pence crisscross Wisconsin todayGOP uses debunked theory to downplay COVID-19 death tollThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: First Kennedy to lose a Massachusetts electionMORE (R-Iowa) told reporters that she hadnt read Woodwards reporting while Sen. Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyMark Kelly apologizes for offensive 2018 jokeWhen Trump talks or tweets, trouble followsDemocrats hold lead in Arizona, North Carolina Senate races: pollMORE (R-Ariz.) also said she hadnt reviewed what Trump reportedly said.
Senate Republican Whip John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneSenate Democrats block GOP relief billMcConnell accuses Democrats of sabotaging COVID-19 relief talksMcConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus packageMORE (R-S.D.), who occasionally criticizes Trumps most provocative behavior, said Thursday that he had not paid much attention to the uproar caused by Trumps comments to Woodward.
Im more concerned about the actions that were actually taken to address the crisis and I believe that the White House has worked with the Congress on several solutions the CARES package and others to get assistance out there, he said.
Thune said questions about Trumps decision to downplay the severity of the virus and who said what when is probably a question you ought to direct to the White House.
Asked how he would grade Trumps early response to the virus in January, February and March, Thune responded: Im not [going to] give letter grades or point grades. Thats not what this is about.
We are where we are and all of us have tried under very difficult circumstances to do the right things to help the country survive and recover, he said. Was everything perfect? No. Were there hiccups and speedbumps along the way? Yeah.  
Jordain Carney contributed.