I was going to say that exact thing, but I think I know where Jim Noble's coming from.
Of course we need to remain optimistic, but we also need to realize that the Status Quo Republicans have screwed things up to the point where we might just have to take two steps back before taking one forward. At least in some locales across the country.
When the People are not ready to elect a good candidate, we should not give them a bad one and hope they can be fooled.
If Schundler lost 60-40 this time, that 40% would be a base to build on for next time.