This is what demagoguery on drilling will get you:

Senate Republicans’ campaign chief said Wednesday that he’s more optimistic now than he has been at any point in the cycle, and that it’s possible they could play Democrats to a draw in November. 

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Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), pointed to the momentum created by Republican support for oil drilling and GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

"I feel better than I did at any time in the past," Ensign said. "I used to say that it would be a pretty darn good night if we only lost four seats.

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"I think it’s possible for us to hold where we are or even just lose one or two seats."