Story highlights Clinton's team watched excitedly when different Republican candidates jumped over each other to call for defunding the organization

In particular, it was businesswoman Carly Fiornia's direct call to defund the organization that drew the attention of the Clinton team

New York (CNN) Hillary Clinton's top aides said Wednesday night's Republican debate was a win for them, citing the GOP's virulent opposition to Planned Parenthood as a general-election vulnerability.

"It did illuminate for the American people that we think this is a Republican Party that is really out of touch from where most Americans are, and shows that they don't have a lot of solutions for the problems that trouble people's lives," Jennifer Palmieri, Clinton's communications director, said after the debate. "And it is important for people to know that and that is a win."

Clinton's team looked on as different Republican candidates jumped over each other to brandish their conservative bona fides on defunding the controversial women's health organization.

"I think what will matter a year from now is how each candidate stood on the stage and said they would cut Planned Parenthood," Palmieri said. "We know that women, beyond a Republican primary, they look at defunding Planned Parenthood as limiting women's health choices."

"To make a political issue out of that," she added, "that is going to matter."

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