To be optimistic is impossible if anyone has been observing in the last 30 years, the evidence is overwhelming, the two parties are one in the same, the only difference I can point to is the democrats want communism now and republicans prefer to go at a slower pace, you know make it more palatable, so as to increase acceptance and reduce resistance. IMO!
Anything less than 55 seats will be a failure in my book. 51 will spark bets on who the next Jim Jeffords will be. Demand a total recount and find those who voted twice. Publicly expose them so others won’t try it in 16’. They WILL try to steal a couple.