Yep. They know that have already lost with Toricelli, and are losing in other key races, and run the risk of losing the Senate and with it the Holy Grail -- Judgeships.
So they gamble that a court will award them a replacement dimo if they can find one (Laughtenberg, Bradley) to "do it for the cause". Or in the least they will have another FLA 2000 issue to inflame the base in November. In the least they end up with a tie or maybe even a majority in the Senate. This is the big game. What a show!
That's the ticket! I'm sure the talking points to that effect are being circulated as we speak!