Sullivan's not "in denial," in the sense that he's unable to recognize reality.  He's simply denying facts that he knows perfectly well to be true because that's what his Kochmasters pay him to do.   (You're not naive enough to think he works for us, now are you?  Even at their most prodigal and corrupt, Alaskans couldn't put together a tenth of what a Senate seat is worth to the big money.  And a purchasable seat in an out-of-the-way oil state with a rather dimwitted electorate is an opportunity that doesn't come along every election, you know.  Sullivan would have been a steal at twice his price.)