Christine O'Donnell Win Net Gain for GOP, Republican Strategists Argue

On the CBS' "The Early Show" this morning, republican strategist Dan Bartlett responded to Tuesday's unexpected nomination of Tea Party candidate Christine O'Donnell to the Delaware GOP Senate ticket, suggesting that although "it's going to be very difficult, if not impossible" for O'Donnell to win the seat, the long-term impact of her victory is positive for the party.

"The intensity gap that we're seeing between the two parties this election cycle is mainly being fed by the Tea Party movement on the Republican side," Bartlett said. "So, net-net, it's still a gain. The prospect of taking over the House of Representatives would not happen without this vibrant activity within the Tea Party."

Republican support for the candidate has so far been tepid at best, and some prominent party members, including Karl Rove, have expressed skepticism about O'Donnell's prospects as a candidate in the general election.

Indeed, according to new data from Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, which conducts automated polls, Democratic nominee Chris Coons currently has a 54-34 lead over O'Donnell in the general election. The same poll projects that nine-term congressman Mike Castle, whom O'Donnell defeated last night, would have had a 45-35 lead over Coons.

"It may well cost us the Delaware Senate seat," former Minnesota congressman and GOP lobbyist Vin Weber acknowledged to the Washington Post, speaking of O'Donnell's win. "But the same phenomenon will help Republicans, particularly in House races in November...This shows that conservative energy at the grassroots is at tidal wave levels."

Not all Republicans have been so supportive. "I'm sad to say the Delaware primary results tonight are straight out of Harry Reid's dream journal," Republican strategist Mike Murphy said of the victory, according to the Washington Post.

Speaking last week, Delaware state GOP chairman Tom Ross went even further in his criticism of O'Donnell: "She's not a viable candidate for any office in the state of Delaware," he said. "She could not be elected dog catcher."

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