Reporter's Notebook: Senate Republicans scrap early exit from Washington as midterm stakes soar

It’s a calculation by Republicans to keep the Senate in session this week.

Yes. The Senate was scheduled to meet anyway over the next few days. But the general consensus early last week was that the Senate would be done then, and those facing competitive races would be back home campaigning.

Then Wednesday hit.

Republicans wanted to stay in Washington. For a very specific reason. And many of them told Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., as much at their weekly luncheon.