Politico: GOP Insiders Believe Pence Would Beat Clinton

Following Mike Pence's remarkable performance at the vice-presidential debate, Republicans wish they could swap their presidential candidate as the Indiana governor now appears more promising than Donald Trump, according to Politico.

Republicans who comprise the Politico Caucus, a panel of activists, strategists and political experts, believe Pence is the only candidate who can defeat Hillary Clinton, to capture the White House.

A good 66 percent of GOP insiders said Pence would beat Clinton in their states. Meanwhile, only 44-percent of GOP insiders believe Trump can defeat Clinton in their state.

The thought of a flip in tickets comes at a time when Trump is limping behind Clinton according to recent polls following a poor performance in his first debate with Clinton.

"Right now, Donald Trump is the only Republican in the United States whom Hillary Clinton can defeat," a North Carolina Republican said in a survey, where participants maintained anonymity. "Trump is the best candidate on the ballot for Democrats in 2016."

Pence earned the kudos from political experts after his coherent, calm and composed demeanor during the vice-presidential debate against Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, earlier this week. He might not have been successful in defending Trump but was a class apart when it came to standing up for conservative ideals.

Some Republicans are also of the view that Clinton is not a very strong candidate and 'unfavorable' at the same time.

"No one likes Hillary Clinton, but many do not feel that Donald Trump is a viable alternative," a Michigan Republican was quoted as saying. "Pence, however, is likable, confident, poised and articulate. Just about any other GOP nominee would have beat Hillary Clinton by an unprecedented number."

"He's calm. Reserved. He inspires confidence. He's a conservative Christian, truthful and a gentleman," an Iowa Republican added. "He'd mop the floor with her."

Meanwhile Democratic insiders, who are also a part of same Politico Caucus, are not very convinced that Pence can upset Clinton. While only 25 percent think Pence would win their state, he still is at a better position than Trump, who has the confidence of just 7 percent among insiders.

"That debate exposed none of Pence's 1857-era views towards the LGBT community, or that he's a cigarette-truther," a Florida Democrat said.

"Mike Pence has some extreme views that haven't gotten much air time," a Wisconsin Democrat added, "and I don't believe they would play well in a state that elected Tammy Baldwin. On the other hand, we did elect Scott Walker, but his approval ratings are dismal."

However, some Democrats agreed that Clinton could be lesser confident against Pence.

"I think the election comes down to turnout, and Hillary will get anti-Trump voters who would not be motivated to turn out against Pence," a North Carolina Democrat said.

Experts also highlighted that if not Pence, the situation isn't such that any non-Trump Republican would beat Clinton. When asked to choose between Clinton and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, 92 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of Republicans chose Clinton.

Meanwhile, a Republican from Pennsylvania said Cruz's margin of loss would be greater than Trump's. "While Clinton has lots of weaknesses, Ted Cruz simply would not translate to Pennsylvania. He would probably lose bigger than Trump here," he said.

Insiders showed mixed views on Democratic runner-up's chances. While 76 percent of Democrats think Sanders would win their state in a race against Trump, 63 percent of Republicans say Trump would win.

"Bernie Sanders is, as we'd say in Iowa, crazy as a rabid raccoon," one of the Republicans noted. "His policies of redistribution of wealth would strike at the heart of Iowa's hard work ethic. He would lose miserably."

Meanwhile, both Democrats and Republicans deny of any major damage to Trump post The New York Times' publication of Trump's tax returns. Majorities in both parties said the revelation would be "only somewhat damaging."

While 51 percent of Democratic insiders and 64 percent of GOP insiders said the story would only damage Trump "somewhat," 45 percent Democrats said the story would be "extremely damaging."

Only 14 percent of Republicans agreed. Twenty-one percent of Republicans and 4 percent of Democrats said the story won't be damaging at all.