David Gergen actually said...

"He clearly acknowledged it. He clearly was under instructions from others, including the president to walk it back."

"I think the White House feels he has been out a lot on television, as Maggie said, but crucially, he is not effective."

"the way he's acting is making it worse not better, in my judgment for his command and leadership of the country."

"It may be a joke to Republican senators, it is not being treated as a joke in China."