For a long time, many Republicans thought if they just took two aspirin and laid down, [Donald] Trump would go away.

For a long time, many Republicans thought if they just took two aspirin and laid down, [Donald] Trump would go away.

The winner's margin of victory also matters. If it's a squeaker, that will make the lessons learned for both parties much murkier.

If they can get 15 or higher, it will be a very bad night for House Speaker Paul Ryan. Ryan twisted himself into a pretzel by endorsing but not always supporting Donald Trump. Now, he's facing the prospect of a slimmer majority, with fewer moderates. Conservative members in the Freedom Caucus have already sent warning shots threatening Ryan's tenure as speaker.

No one is predicting that the Democrats will get the 30 pickups they need to take back the House majority.

What if he says [Donald Trump] plans to run again in 2020?

As one person said to me , Republicans know [Donald] Trump is a stain on their party.