The RNC sent me a fundraising note this morning, but the most interesting thing about it is what they don't say:
There are three seats in the House and two in the Senate that still hang in the balance. Winning these races and strengthening our Republican numbers in both chambers of Congress is critical to blocking Barack Obama's left-wing agenda.
The margins are very tight in two key Senate races. In Minnesota, where a recount will take place, our candidate leads by a mere 206 votes. In Georgia, our candidate won but faces a runoff due to state election law requiring the winner to garner 50% of the vote. [emph me]
Notice anything missing? There are actually THREE Senate races still undecided, of course. While Begich is ahead by 1,000 votes, there are still 24,000 to count and an automatic recount very possible. Note that they are seeking contributions for the MN recount--but apparently hold out no hope for one in AK now.
{more below, including DSCC's agreement!}
Now, I don't think the GOP is saying anything that Kossacks don't also believe. Begich IS up by 1,000, the remaining votes ARE in his neck of the woods, and the prospect of a recount IS getting slimmer as his advantage builds. But it's not over officially, and in any case you'll notice that the Republicans are not spreading mistruths about ballot hanky panky as more votes are "found" for Begich from around the state. (Sure, they're still counting as opposed to being in a canvass situation, but that hasn't ever stopped the GOP).
Point being, the Republicans almost never give up the ghost and finally shelve their ridiculous propaganda unless the battle is well and truly lost.
And there's certainly no disagreement from JB Poersch over on the Dem side, in their own fundraising letter:
Alaska: Mark Begich holds a solid 1,022-vote lead over seven-time convicted felon Ted Stevens with 24,000 votes still to be counted. We should have a final count sometime this week, but I am cautiously optimistic that Sarah Palin's next senator will be a Democrat.
The Dems are cautiously optimistic--but it looks like the GOP is deflatingly fatalistic about Senator Tubes. And when the GOP calls off the dogs, it must be time to say:
WELCOME TO WASHINGTON, SENATOR-ELECT BEGICH!
Update: in comments, the point has been raised that the GOP is being quiet on this one, lest they offend national Republicans who would blanche at supporting a convicted felon. There is potential merit to this argument; I was in fact unable to find a direct appeal for Stevens post-election in my GOP fundraiser emails. However, let's be honest: if they thought there was a way they could keep that seat, even if they had to support a felon, the GOP would do it.
So I'm willing to semi-amend the premise: The GOP--unpersuaded that risking bad PR for supporting a felon would be worth trying for given the chance of success--is unwilling to fight publicly for Stevens' seat. Either way, good news for Begich and America.