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Honestly, it does depend on the Senator and the issue. Every call, letter and email is logged and they do see the numbers of constituents on each side of an issue. Also, they will take into account polling data from their state. It could be that you get 100,000 calls against something because a particular union, company, issue group fires up their supporters, but the polls show that the public is in favor of it. Sometimes, though, they vote their conscience even if the numbers are against them. Then they have to deal with it in the press and during the next election.
Staff does play a role in positions, too, especially on the more technical matters. How it always worked in my office was the Senator would ask for briefings on a bill, amendment or issue. We would then give background on the situation, statistics, constituent feedback and then usually make a recommendation of how to vote. Usually he would agree, but sometimes he would disagree. Luckily for us, he wasn't a jerk if he disagreed. He would allow for dialogue and give you the opportunity to persuade him, but ultimately every decision is his and he as to take the responsibility for it. If staff recommended something and there was huge public backlash for it, he's the one who would have to take the heat, not his staff.
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