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Washington GOP bigwig Karl Rove says that it is still possible Republicans wont win a Senate majority in the fall midterm elections.

Yes, that Karl Rove the chief strategist for George W. Bushs 2000 presidential campaign, top fundraiser for the right-leaning American Crossroads super PAC, the guy who argued on air when Fox News awarded Ohio to President Obama on election night 2012. In other words, a staunch figure in the party.

Mr. Roves got a piece in the Wall Street Journal today titled Why a GOP Senate Majority Is Still in Doubt. It argues that the Democrats might still maintain control of the chamber after November despite their disadvantages, which include President Obamas poor approval ratings, some lackluster performances by Democratic candidates, and greater enthusiasm amongst Republican voters.

Why? In a word, money. Rove notes that to this point Democrats have outraised and outspent Republicans on Senate races, by some measures. Democratic candidates have spent $24 million more on TV ads than their GOP opponents, Rove writes.

Republican candidates and groups must step up if they are to substantially reduce that gap, writes Rove.

Is this just someone who benefits from fundraising saying that lack of fundraising is a problem? After all, to a hammer, every problem is a nail thats sticking out and needs hammering down. Or something like that.

Maybe. But on the other hand, Rove is a smart guy, and hes not the only one pointing to a GOP cash shortfall to explain the surprisingly close midterm Senate contest.

Nate Silver, the data whiz behind the new 538 data journalism site, said this week that Democrats have more cash than the GOP in key Senate races. Thats a possible reason why some election forecasts show the battle for the chamber to be a toss-up, according to Silver.

And campaign ads do matter particularly when a candidate can outspend their opponent, and time is short until Election Day, so the effect doesnt wear off.

So maybe Roves right. He also emphasizes that Republican candidates have to campaign as a block to the ambitions of the unpopular President Obama. But his warning might be late. Thats not because theres too little time for Republicans to catch up. Its because they already are or already might be, rather, if polls and forecasts are any guide.

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Why is GOP's Karl Rove warning Democrats might keep Senate?