But at least it gives them a chance, just like in six other states including Kentucky and Nevada where Tea Party darlings have knocked established party leaders by running far to the right.

“I’m not naive – some of these guys are going to win,” said one Democrat.
“But the reason we’re going to keep the majority will be because of their crazies.”

Republicans think “crazy” is ignoring Tea Party energy. In fact, 3.5 million more Republicans have voted in primaries this year than Democrats – a flip from 2006 when Dems swept to power.