PORTAGE, Mich. — Not everyone watching Wednesday’s Democratic debate was looking for a hero.

In a windowless room in southwest Michigan, a political man cave with a signed picture of Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, a flat-screen TV was tuned to an unfamiliar destination, MSNBC. A dozen activists with the Republican Party of Kalamazoo County, sat down over pizza and locally brewed Two Hearted Ale to scout the opposition.

After two hours, they got up still confirmed Republicans, but impressed and perhaps wary of some of the competition.

[Democratic Debate Night 2: What to watch for, who’s debating, what time and more.]

“I think Trump wins Michigan again, but it’s going to be tight,” said David Eyke, the chairman of the county party.

Tony Dugal, a commercial photographer, called Senator Elizabeth Warren, the highest polling Democrat on stage, “the most legitimate threat to Trump’s re-election from what I see at this point,” adding, “She’s not afraid to confront the issues.”