[centurion316]

Although elections involve human behavior and opinions, which are fickle and subject to change, Cochran's chances of prevailing in the runoff don't look particularly good.

This is the takeaway line. Although Charlie always like to give himself a little wiggle room, this sentence is telling us that he knows the numbers and that the numbers mean that Cochran is gone. I've known Charlie for 49 years.

[Arm_Bears]

Cautious optimism—But keep making phone calls and knocking on doors.