Washington (CNN) -- The vote was 53-44, and Sen. Barbara Mikulski was on the losing side: Democrats did not have enough votes to advance Senate legislation designed to guarantee women equal pay. "So I say square your shoulders, put your lipstick on, and let's fight another day," the always-colorful Maryland Democrat said. It was one vote in April, and there was never any doubt Democrats would lose. But they held the vote to make a political statement, one many Democratic strategists think is central to the party's chances of improving its midterm election odds. As the Senate was voting, veteran Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg and his Democracy Corps project distributed a memo outlining the stark numbers and what Greenberg insists is an opportunity to improve them by Election Day.
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Democratic strategists think equal pay is central to improving midterm odds
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Democrats must focus on issues important to unmarried women, a key bloc
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Democrats' challenge is to increase enthusiasm around economic issues
The Greenberg memo makes frequent references to the opportunity to motivate @placeholder voters and change the current midterm dynamics.