Delaware Republican Christine O’Donnell quickly emerged Wednesday as a litmus test for establishment Republicans, as some national GOP figures rushed to endorse a candidate that just the night before had been a party pariah.
Top conservative commentators unleashed a ferocious attack on strategist Karl Rove for his comments disparaging O’Donnell Tuesday night – when he said her unusual statements and questionable financial decisions could cost Republicans the seat, and even control of the Senate.
“I never heard Karl Rove as mad at a Dem as he was at Christine last night,” tweeted conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.
O’Donnell’s victory, in effect, puts national Republicans on the spot — forced to choose whether to embrace an unorthodox candidate with a spotty political record, or be seen as snubbing the tea party’s newest star.
Some wasted no time getting on board. Hours after the National Senatorial Republican Committee issued a grudging, one-sentence congratulation to O’Donnell Tuesday night, NRSC Chairman John Cornyn offered a full-throated endorsement of the tea party insurgent Wednesday morning.
“Let there be no mistake: The National Republican Senatorial Committee – and I personally as the committee’s chairman – strongly stand by all of our Republican nominees, including Christine O’Donnell in Delaware,” Cornyn said, announcing that the committee was transferring $42,000 to O’Donnell’s campaign.
Expected GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney threw his support behind O’Donnell Wednesday morning as well.
“Now is the time for Republicans to rally behind their nominee, Christine O'Donnell,” Romney said. “She ran an impressive campaign. I believe it is important we support her so we can win back the U.S. Senate this fall.”
But the conservative backlash against Rove was a sign of just how badly O’Donnell’s candidacy could fracture GOP unity – particularly since Rove’s cutting critique of O’Donnell Tuesday night merely echoed what other Republicans were repeating in private: a fear that she can’t win.
“Rove came across as an effete sore loser instead of the supposedly brilliant and grounded GOP strategist that he’s supposed to be,” added the popular conservative blogger Michelle Malkin. “The establishment Beltway strategist couldn’t even bother with an obligatory word of congratulations for O’Donnell.”
Rove stood his ground Wednesday morning, saying, “If she wins more power to her, she is right on the issues. I think the voters of Delaware don't just want to know are you right on the issue, but do you have the character, background that makes you the right person for the job.”
Rove on Tuesday pointed out that O’Donnell has been accused on many questionable financial decisions – including profiting off campaign funds – and has a long history of bizarre statements that Democrats will use to hit her in the general.
“I’ve met her. I wasn’t frankly impressed by her abilities as a candidate,” Rove said during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “One thing that O’Donnell is now going to have to answer in the general election that she didn't in the primary is her own checkered background.”
Despite the outpouring of support, top Republicans still indicate privately that O’Donnell’s win in the Delaware Senate primary was a disaster for the party, placing an expected win in the seat very much in doubt.
But the party’s leaders seemed set Wednesday to embrace O’Donnell – for better or worse – in hopes that the GOP can still win the Senate with what is widely perceived to be a lesser candidate that the party favorite, Rep. Mike Castle.
Prior to her win, O’Donnell’s only real national support came from Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), the Tea Party Express and former Alaska GOP Gov. Sarah Palin, who has found herself in the unusual position of trying to play GOP peacemaker.
“I say buck up,” Palin said during an interview on Fox News, send a message to Republicans who had opposed O’Donnell. “Competition is really good and it makes everyone work harder. These contested races were great for our party.”
O’Donnell too had some harsh words for Rove, smacking the “so-called political guru” during an interview with ABC News.
“Everything that he is saying is un-factual,” contended the Delaware GOP Senate nominee. “He is eating some humble pie and he is just trying to restore his reputation.”
10 comments:
aw that's kind of sad that she was a pariah, but hey look at her now. Rove should have at least congratulated her, i mean its the least he could have done right? Although she had better fix those "unusual statements and questionable financial decisions", especially if the other reps were thinking it too.
So I was first introduced to Mrs. O'Donnelle via the TV in Saigon Cafe and, aside from being a republican, she's kinda scary. Not ROSIE O'Donnelle scary, mind you, but still kinda frightening.
Nuff said?
Nuff said.
O'Donnell is a bit intimidating to me. All the organizations she's been in, and things she's fought for make her seem a bit radical. The quick jump on her boat from candidates makes sense: Republicans want the Senate back, and O'Donnell is one of extreme views and outspoken, and her quick rise to such attention gives the GOP the chance and hope that they can get the votes they need with her confidence. I'm in the middle on Rove's actions, however; he does seem a bit of a sore loser, but he has logic in his saying that she "has a long history of bizarre statements that Democrats will use to hit her in the general." no matter who was in the wrong or right with their comments, Palin is right that competition is a good thing. and now those Republicans that jumped on the boat so quick can be glad, since she won the primary. We'll see where it takes her.
I agree that the republicans need to get up there again think it's heating up getting exciting this new girl seems okay maybe a little iffy but she seems to be verys strong with what she believes in which is always good!
Wow, this is definitely good for the democrats if the predictions of her chances are right. I read a different article that compared this to Reagan's election three decades ago (though he made the Republican party more conservative, while the tea party is making it more populist). This will turn interesting come November.
I believe that Karl Rove is probably onto something critiquing the tea party candidate for the republican senate seat. The republicans are probably going to have agreqt deal of trouble making up for lost ground in the house and senate if they attempt to endorse radical religious right types like O'donnel. This looks lime it could turn out to be a major hit to the republican parties chances in November.
The thing I don't understand is that if Rove is such a great strategist and the Republican party would have been much better if Mike Castle had won, then why didn't he? I think O'Donnell's lack of much experience is what really has leaders of the GOP worried, not her "questionable financial decisions". (I'm sure many politicians have done plenty of questionable things) She must be doing something right that the public connects to. That being said, the GOP needs to stop thinking that Castle was their only hope and move on and support O'Donnell, if they want any chance of winning back the Senate.
This caused a dramatic stir in the campaign. Last night, as I was watching CNN i heard about O'Donnell and how she is being accused of using her campaign funds for her house and other personal reasons. Of course, her separate party is accusing the Republicans of using these false accusations against her to make her lose. This is just a bunch of political hype, in my opinion. She is obviously not going to win a majority, and therefore lose the campaign, so it seems to me that most of this is to gain attention. Of course, this new uprising can be a good sign for Democrats as the Republicans will lose quite a few votes and O'Donnell will most definitely not win.
yahpeDespite O'Donnell's unforseen win, the Republicans do have reason to worry. For, even though she pulled an upset, it is almost unlikely for her to win. Small members may win a few unexpected victories, but people will not risk their vote to vote on someone whom they feel does not stand a chance against a bigger opponent.
wow, they are doing everything in their power to withold senator Odonell from office. But my question now is what will happen next? Alot of people are divided pretty evenly on this tea party issue, so they are just going to have to "let it ride" and see if she can make it or not.
As for Sarah Palin, she is like the one kid that everyone wants to pick on. I myself personally like Mrs. Palin, but her involvement in this is probably going to draw more critics to her like flies to flypaper.
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