Usually when a candidate like Christine O’Donnell wins a primary — and begins the tough slog to a general election — you expect emails from her party like “MEDIA: Tea Party Express Congratulates Christine O’Donnell !!!”. That, however, is not the subject line from the Republican Party’s email: It’s from the Tea Party Express email.
The TPE message from Chairman Amy Kremer went on to say, “Christine O’Donnell overcame the entire political establishment to achieve victory tonight because she stood for the constitutional conservative principles that voters are craving during this election cycle,” and predict her certain victory in November.
A message from Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser, a conservative pro-life women’s organization, added that “Christine O’Donnell’s come-from-behind victory is evidence that voters across America are hungry for conservative pro-life candidates.”
By way of contrast, the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s email is below in its entirety:
In reporting on the Delaware Senate Republican primary results, please consider the following response from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC):
“We congratulate Christine O’Donnell for her nomination this evening after a hard-fought primary campaign in Delaware.” – Rob Jesmer, NRSC Executive Director
There was no statement by NRSC Chairman Sen. John Cornyn attached.
By way of contrast, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sent out a long statement by its chairman, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) claiming that the election results show that Republican tea party enthusiasts are sick of Republican obstructionism — a stretch, to say the least — while adding:
In turn, Christine O’Donnell joins the ranks of Sharron Angle, Rand Paul, Ken Buck, and Ron Johnson – all of whom care more about imposing a strict social doctrine than creating jobs. Even the Delaware Republican Party Chairman has said O’Donnell is “not a viable candidate for any office in the state of Delaware,” and “could not be elected dog catcher.”
[TPM SLIDESHOW: Christine O’Donnell: Anti-Masturbation Crusader. Witchcraft Dabbler. Republican Senate Nominee.]
Democratic candidate Chris Coons, who now has a real chance of being elected, was early out of a gate with a press release slamming O’Donnell as well — and congratulating Rep. Mike Castle for his service.
The results tonight make one thing perfectly clear – the Republican party is purging itself of moderate voices and embracing the radical. I thank Mike Castle for his years of service to the people of Delaware and ask that his supporters embrace my campaign as a way to continue Delaware’s tradition of electing moderate, independent voices to the United States Senate.
Delawareans need a U.S. Senator focused on creating jobs, not promoting bizarre conspiracy theories and an extreme social agenda. Every leading Delaware Republican knows that Christine O’Donnell is way out of the mainstream. I look forward to voters comparing my private and public sector experience of reforming government, creating jobs and fiscal accountability, against Ms. O’Donnell’s out-of-touch and dangerous agenda that would hurt Delaware’s working families.
