One person familiar with the thinking inside the White House said Democratic chances of keeping control of the Senate were seen as 50-50. The White House, while realistic, has stuck publicly to that message of hope. Former and current advisers say the White House is preparing for any obstruction or probes that could be coming. "The White House is clear-eyed for what Republican control could look like," said Eric Schultz, a Democratic strategist with close ties to the White House. White House officials and Democratic strategists Reuters spoke to acknowledge the overall shift from midterms optimism, but were not ready to give up.

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