If you're a Republican, what's the hope at this point to still have a big night?

[Gracile]

Hope that polls are way off again (not an unreasonable expectation) and that special election results will be unrepresentative because turnout differentials favor highly motivated members of the Democratic base, while a higher turnout election in November could potentially bring out more GOP voters. That second point would still be problematic for them, as it would probably limit their possibility for significant gains and they would probably get less crossover appeal from soft Dem leaners than they would have if the election took place a year ago.