Mr Ashdown's election itinerary consists almost exclusively of winnable seats.
Political aide Charles Baker dismissed the poll, saying the Ohio electorate is "volatile." Ohio, he said, "is winnable."
The vice president said there is no reason for a "feeling of gloom that seems to envelop this issue like a thick, clammy fog," because although the situation is serious, the war against drugs is winnable.
"This is a very winnable race," said Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., who came to Wisconsin to campaign for Engeleiter last week.
"It's very winnable," Wolin said.
He paid a price - he was immediately deselected as candidate for the winnable seat of Plymouth Drake. Yet, he is happy to hint at non-conformist sympathies.
"The war is by no means over, but it is clearly winnable and the momentum, I think, is shifting our way," Bennett told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday.
One thing he still may need to learn, politicians say, is when to drop an issue that might be winnable in a courtroom but is a sure loser in a political campaign.
But, I suppose this morning a lot more people believe that this race was winnable and that, in fact, you blew it.