As we reported earlier today, the Dems are looking at major gains in the Senate this fall — and today, the Dem in charge of making it happen laid out his view of the electoral map.

During a conference call with reporters, DSCC chief Chuck Schumer said that there are five states where they're ahead: Virginia, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Colorado and Alaska. Schumer also said that Dems were behind but had a shot in three blue states: Maine, Minnesota and Oregon.

And overall, he promised to run good candidates in a total of 17 out of 23 GOP seats that will be on the ballot this year — a sign that he plans on making a lot of use out of the DSCC's money advantages over the Republicans, by forcing them to play defense all over the map.