EARS TO THE GROUND: In key Senate races, Democrats buck leftward tilt on issues.

But the broader trend continues:

Policy differences always exist inside the major parties, but to some voters the Democratic agenda could soon seem like a hopeless argument with itself. More than in years past, progressives are insisting that winning in a polarized political environment requires ambitious ideas, not hedged compromises.

Even in moderate or conservative states, “having the candidate who is campaigning on exciting ideas is the biggest thing that will elevate them,” said Adam Green, co-founder of the Washington-based Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which has backed Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts for president.

In Texas, party leaders say they are confident in Air Force veteran Hegar taking on Republican incumbent John Cornyn , but they also are not discouraging progressives from challenging her. The field organizer for former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s near-miss campaign for U.S. Senate last year is now trying to draft Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, the leader of a progressive Latino group called the Jolt Initiative.

The progressives are on a mad drunk, convinced Trump is going to lose and that this is their best bet to put people in office who make Obama’s ambitions seem moderate in comparison.

I’m not getting cocky, but it sure seems like they’re in for one helluva hangover.