Republicans Hopeful About Taking Senate in November

Weren't as optimistic a year ago

At an annual gathering of Republican bigwigs in Florida a year ago, a top GOP strategist was chided after he gave a presentation about how his party would win the Senate in 2014, including a handout that blared "MAJORITY" in red.

"Stop saying majority," donors, consultants and even some senators told National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Rob Collins, he recalled in an interview. "Just say you're going to be able to pick up a few seats."

Fast forward to early this month, when the annual event took place again at the same posh Palm Beach resort. Far from preaching caution, many of the 400 donors in attendance openly mused about what a Republican Senate would bring, and Collins was the one trying was the one trying to keep expectations in check.