GOP SENATORS VOICE CONFIDENCE OVER UPHILL SENATE BATTLE:

Senate Republicans say they are still feeling positive about their chances of holding their majority despite growing warning signs for the party. The GOP senators acknowledge keeping the Senate majority won’t be easy, but they say it’s far too early to throw in the towel. Republicans are facing a slew of recent negative polls and troubling fundraising numbers from Democrats, but they say the quickly changing political environment could turn again before November. “It’s going to be competitive but you know a lot will depend on what the political environment looks like in three or four months and in this day and age it’s really hard to predict that,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the No. 2 Republican senator. He added that he felt “pretty good” about his party’s chances “notwithstanding what everybody thinks the political headwinds are right now.” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) noted that there were several close races, with political handicappers rating anywhere from two to five seats currently as tossups.