49 MINUS 48 EQUALS 7

A constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is headed toward certain Senate defeat, but supporters say new votes for the measure represent progress that gives the GOP's base reason to vote on Election Day....

Supporters say the amendment will win as many as seven new votes from freshmen elected after the amendment received its last vote in 2004. Their support is expected to produce a majority for the amendment in the 100-member chamber....

"We're building votes," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La....

--AP this morning

Vote in 2004: 48 in favor, 50 against.

Vote this year: 49 in favor, 48 against.

(Via Washington Monthly and Atrios.)