PERRY – GOP needs unity to win
Republicans recruited an all-star candidate to seek the U.S. Senate seat in Delaware vacated by Joe Biden upon his election as Vice President. Republican Mike Castle had served as lieutenant governor, twelve years as governor, and nearly two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware’s single state-wide district. The Senate seat seemed a sure thing. Castle even ran Joe Biden’s son “Beau” – Delaware’s Attorney General and the heir apparent – out of the race. But a funny thing happened on the way to the election; Castle lost the primary to Christine O’Donnell.
The Tea Party movement along with Republican “outsider” leaders (2008 Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, South Carolina U.S. Senator Jim DeMint) and some traditional conservative organizations (National Rifle Association, Family Research Council, Susan B. Anthony List) propelled O’Donnell to victory over the liberal Castle. This left “establishment” Republicans understandably bitter. Millions of dollars, thousands of hours, hundreds of workers suddenly find their candidate lost. It is human nature to feel a little sour. But if Republicans want to win, they have to unite behind their nominee. When establishment candidates win, the outsiders have done it; but that should be a two way street.
The Neshoba Democrat
9/22/10
Magnolia Tribune
