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September 15th, 2010
07:01 PM ET

O'Donnell win dims prospects for a GOP-controlled Senate

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/POLITICS/09/15/republicans.senate/story.odonnell.wed.gi.jpg caption="Christine O'Donnell says she can win the Delaware Senate seat without the backing of the GOP establishment.'" width=300 height=169]

CNNPolitics.com

(CNN) - A celebratory Christine O'Donnell thanked her supporters, the Tea Party and kingmaker Sarah Palin on the night of her stunning win in Delaware's Republican Senate primary.

At the same time, party leaders were shaking their heads, watching helplessly as control of the Senate was slipping out of reach.

Republicans were expected to pick up the Senate seat that Vice President Joe Biden held for 26 years with Rep. Mike Castle, a nine-term congressman and popular former governor who appealed to independents and some Democrats, on the ballot.

And in an anti-incumbent year, Republicans had hopes of reclaiming the Senate, where Democrats hold 59 seats, including two independents who caucus with them, and Republicans 41.

But now that it will be O'Donnell facing off against Democrat Chris Coons, Democrats are breathing a little easier.

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Filed under: 360° Radar • Raw Politics
soundoff (2 Responses)
  1. Pam

    Hi, I am from Delaware, I think castle lost because the main stream republicans never thought that he was at risk because he has never lost.
    Also, I have a friend who worked on her 2008 campaign. She left her job expecting to be paid by the campaign and never was. Her credit score went from the high 700's to the high 400's because Christine never paid her.

    September 15, 2010 at 10:38 pm |
  2. Annie Kate

    I found Rove's comment about the winning candidate somewhat amusing:

    Rove, who was a top aide for former President George W. Bush, said the political newcomer does not "evince the characteristics of rectitude and sincerity and character that the voters are looking for,"

    And he does? I never noticed that Rove had any character or sincerity – just a very large streak of self-righteousness.

    September 15, 2010 at 9:31 pm |
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