IMHO, it is absolutely essential we win this race and the Thune race. We are only one Chaffee and one dead Republican Senator from a state with a Democrat governor found in Fort Marcy away from being back where we started. Anyone who thinks Hillary is going to stand by and be irrelevant is gravely mistaken. We need Terrell and Thune to get to 53.
Moreover, since more Democrat Senators are up for election in 2004 than Republicans, we would be that much closer to a filibuster proof 60 (if I remember my 6th grade American Government course correctly).
And, if Breaux and Miller switch, that's 55.