For tonight's reading enjoyment: "Controversies dim GOP hopes to take over Senate"

Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

"Washington (CNN) -- Even before a second Republican Senate candidate tripped over incendiary comments about rape, GOP leaders in Washington knew that their once promising chances of winning control of the Senate had diminished.

Whether Richard Mourdock of Indiana can move past his controversial remarks and stabilize his campaign remains to be seen. Either way, once confident Republicans across the country now face the nail-biting final days of campaigning and a highly uncertain outcome on Election Day.

That's a big change from two years ago when Republicans made major gains in the midterm election and had reason to believe they could take back the Senate this year. But, in fact, Democrats now appear well-positioned to retain their slim majority and with it the ability to influence much of the Washington agenda during the next two years whether President Barack Obama is re-elected or former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney succeeds him.

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"We are cautiously optimistic that we'll keep the majority this year," said Matt Canter of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which coordinates Democratic campaigns. He pointed to Democratic Senate candidates who are doing unexpectedly well in several red states, which is forcing Republicans to focus their energies and resources where they didn't expect to have to...."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/26/politics/senate-races/index.html?hpt=hp_t1