Interesting wording, cooper felt he had no choice. Implying he knew the optics were a disaster as opposed to being actually repulsed by what she did. Sort like that idiot Franken just did once the reactions started being known.
Of course they know she is toxic. I think, however, as you do, that if she hadn't created such a firestorm, they would be supporting her. Cooper and Franken just read the tea leaves.