I hope this is true support, not just window dressing!

My personal decision to stay Republican vs going Independent will depend largely on how the senior Republican Eliteists react to the efforts of Tea Party Candidates...


John Cornyn offers money, endorsement for Christine O'Donnell


Seeking to avoid further internal strife, top Senate Republicans on Wednesday offered an olive branch to tea-party favorite Christine O'Donnell in Delaware's Senate race, quickly offering her money and endorsements a day after her stunning upset over Rep. Mike Castle.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn quickly offered his endorsement — and a $42,000 check — for the O'Donnell campaign, after being largely quiet Tuesday night.

"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. "I reached out to Christine this morning, and as I have conveyed to all of our nominees, I offered her my personal congratulations and let her know that she has our support. This support includes a check for $42,000 – the maximum allowable donation that we have provided to all of our nominees – which the NRSC will send to her campaign today."

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said Cornyn was "taking pains" to clarify the party's approach to O'Donnell.

Kyl told POLITICO that Cornyn wants "to correct the record to make it perfectly clear that the Delaware race is no different than any others. If putting money can help us win the race, we're perfectly able to do it as a campaign committee. If a) she doesn't need it or b) she doesn't have a chance, that would be likely way down the list of states we'd put money in.

"There is no decision not to fund her," Kyl added. "And every reason to believe that if it looks like she can with some funds, it would be easily forthcoming."

An NRSC spokesman said a statement on the matter would soon be issued.

But Kyl, who supported Castle, acknowledged the difficulty she may have against Democrat Chris Coons.

"I think the common wisdom is that it would have been much easier for Mike Castle to win that seat," Kyl said. "And I don't know how well Ms. O'Donnell will do - the common wisdom is that it would have been easier if Mike had won."