Republicans getting off message?

Any time over the last year and a half it's been suggested that Elizabeth Dole might have any difficulty getting reelected, her campaign has angrily refuted the possibility. The most recent example is her camp's blanket condemnation of recent polls showing the race tightening.

Some in the Republican fold seem to be getting off message though. Pat McCrory made these comments to News 14 last week:

"My race is going to be tight, Elizabeth's race is going to be tight,” added Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the Republican candidate for the state’s governor position. “I don't think anyone knows what's going to happen in November."

I certainly agree with him that no one knows what's going to happen in November, but the admission that Dole might have some difficulty with Kay Hagan is a lot different than the tune that's been coming from her campaign.

Then over the weekend NRSC chair John Ensign said in a campaign appearance for Georgia senator Saxby Chambliss that his reelection was vital to ensure that Republicans retained control of 41 seats in the Senate so that they can filibuster legislation they don't like.

Having that as a goal, rather than talking about trying to regain their majority, is a pretty good sign of how low Republican expectations are right now. And if Ensign is really expecting to lose at least eight seats this fall, you have to think North Carolina might be on that list.

It's a whole different story than last summer when Mark Stephens was blaming IVR for any signs of Dole vulnerability.