(CNN) – Newly-minted Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell is picking her latest battle with Karl Rove, the former top Bush aide who said O'Donnell's surprise victory in the Delaware primary Tuesday does "little good" for the party.
"It's a shame. He is the same so-called political guru that predicted I wasn't going to win," said O'Donnell to ABC in response to Rove. "And we won, and we won big. So I think he is eating some humble pie and trying to restore his reputation.
Speaking on Fox News Tuesday night after O'Donnell's victory was clear, Rove said the political newcomer does not "evince the characteristics of rectitude and sincerity and character that the voters are looking for," adding "there's just a lot of nutty things she's been saying."
"Why did she mislead voters about her college education, how come it took her nearly two decades to pay her college bills so she could get her college degree, how does she make a living, why did she sue a well known and well thought of think tank?" he continued.
Responding directly to those comments, O'Donnell told ABC that "everything that he is saying is unfactual."
O'Donnell has repeatedly denied claims – many leveled by the Delaware GOP who was vehemently opposed to her candidacy – that she did not receive a college diploma because of unpaid debts, owed back taxes, and let her home fall into foreclosure.
Meanwhile, Kristin Murray, O'Donnell's former campaign manager in 2008, alleged O'Donnell of "living on campaign donations" and said the candidate "just wanted to make a buck" and "is no conservative."
The O'Donnell campaign has characterized all the charges as sour grapes.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, O'Donnell led Republican Rep. Mike Castle, the establishment choice, 53.2 percent to 46.8 percent, according to the Delaware Secretary of State.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Can the media please stop referring to this nutjob as a "political newcomer" or an "upstart" or an "insurgent" or whatever other term you come up with next? She is not a newcomer to politics at all. This is the THIRD time she has run for the Senate in Delaware. Cokie Roberts referred to her as a "perpetual candidate" on NPR today; that is a term that would be far more accurate. This woman was trounced by Joe Biden in 2008 yet claimed, and continues to claim, that she beat or tied him in two of three counties in the state. She is another example of the GOP making their bed and having to lie in it. Good luck.
Just another TEALIBAN nut job, who probably will help keep the Senate on the side of the middle class, that is DEMOCRATIC!
The truth hurts. Or, if you're the Tea Party, the truth is "a shame."
Rove's name-calling is easily pointed right back at him. Lack of sincerity? Lack of character? Give me a break!
While I have historically supported the GOP, both the republicans and democrats better adjust to the Tea Party movement. The vast majority of Americans are fed up with the extreme right and radical left. However, all things considered, the Tea Party alligns more closely with conservatives than our out of control democrats who are spending us into major deficits and debts. The democrats criticized Bush for such problems (when they controlled congress in 2008) and have ironically increased them in exponential fashion.
Democrats and Republicans better watch their actions...the Tea Party is holding them accountable! It's time our government goes back to We The People!
Perfect example of why the Republican party has no chance of long term success. BTW they are both tools.
Riddle Me This America......... What does it mean that these Republicans are losing to Tea Party candidates? Well folks it means that WE THE PEOPLE are saying " if you continue to obstruct the President without offering up new ideas we will vote you out " PERIOD
Christine O'Palin has the same verbal skills as
her big sister Sarah.
It seems as if Rove and the GOP establishment are having a bit of buyer's remorse. It has only now dawned on them that having a buffoon in office might not be such a good thing after all.
The GOP has spent decades rousing the idiot rabble and NOW they're surprised? The idiot chickens have come home to roost.
Her election is called dumbing down the Republican Party.
OH MY GOD.....I can't believe I for once agree with Karl Rove......this woman is a NUTCASE
Any fascist can win a Republican primary, but it will divide the party vote for the general election, leading to another party loss because 30% of the total vote is not enough to win. I am so pleased that O'Donnell "won."
Love it! Keep it up GOP!
I never thought I would say this, but I agree with Karl Rove.
Oh, Lord – have we moved so far to the crazy right, that Karl Rove is starting to look reasonable and statesmanlike?
What wrong with the Repubs in Delaware...this women is not only nutty...but she is a crook. Come on Delaware!!!!!
A republican woman won an election just a matter of time for the hate mongers on the left to label her stupid, racist, and a war monger. Thanks CNN for giving the nut jobs on the left a place to get out there anger.
Thanks you Rove, finally an element of truth evolves from you. You GOP'ers are having to deal with some real nut jobs now. Anger doesn't usually result in brilliant decisions. If these nuts get in office it will only serve to give the extreme right a high and our country will be in a world of hurt. Be responsible, voters; you high now will result in disaster for 2012. But, again, you're doing us Dems a big favor, thanks!
O'Donnell sounds like a real soul mate of Palin! Just wants to make a buck? Check!
Lady, those Greedy Old People (GOP) are going to eat you alive. You really need to keep your mouth closed. You don't seem very bright at all, and it is going to come out real soon. Anyway, I'm really glad you won, because we do plan to kick the royal crap out of you....
The Tea Party emerged during the US Presidential elections. It didn't have a name yet, but the disenfranchised and frustrated flocked to it in droves. At the time the Republicans fed the fires, crowing that it was a force in America that would return America to the place it belonged (Republican control). They were sure that with the Tea Party's help, they could push back the agenda of the Democrats and liberals. For the Republicans the Tea Party has now turned on to a dangerous dog that has been let off the leash and is turning on its owner. Enjoy what you have created, Republicans, it may very maul you to death. It has already taken a couple of good bites, and has only started.
Delaware will get what they deserve should she be elected – another "Tea Party" fruitcake. Hopefully, they will come to their senses.
We should call this upcoming election the fruitcake election because it's full of fruits and nuts and who knows what else is in it.
As a mainstream conservitive I am wondering who dresses the women who won their primary races last night. I mean really I know red is our color for the party. But to have O'Donnell in Del and the gal that shocked the people in Wisconsin for Lt Gov win and boh wear Red dresses is a bit over the top. Did mama dog ( aka Palin) pick out the clothes ? This isn't GOP this is maverick style and I am a bit worried for the party in general, I think it is split and I really think the pundits may be right and we may self-implode. We need to get back on track and I think that includes working together as a nation and fix our economy !!!!!