
(CNN) – The committee tasked with electing Republicans to the Senate sent an email to supporters Thursday, praising Mitt Romney's debate performance and asking for donations to help the GOP nominee continue the "momentum."
The boost comes two weeks after some Republican Senate candidates openly criticized their own party's nominee over Romney's controversial "47%" comments, where he described nearly half of Americans as "victims" dependent on the government because they don't pay federal income taxes.
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The comments, which came from secretly recorded video at a May fund-raiser, quickly sparked an uproar among Democrats and some Republicans. While Romney said he could have stated his argument "more clearly," he largely stood by the point of his message and continued to rail against the increasing size of government.
However, former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who's running in a tight Senate race in Wisconsin, made headlines last month when he blamed Romney's snafu for his own slippage in recent polls at the time.
"The presidential thing is bound to have an impact on every election," Thompson told Madison television station WKOW. "You know, whether you're a Democrat or Republican. If you're a standard-bearer for the presidency is not doing well, it's going to reflect on the down ballot."
Incumbent Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada also tried to distance himself from Romney's comments, saying he believes a safety net is "one of the responsibilities of the federal government." Heller is defending his seat in a close race against Democratic challenger Shelley Berkley.
Other Republican candidates in razor thin Senate races–Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Linda McMahon in Connecticut–expressed disagreement with Romney over his comments, as well. It's worth noting, however, both candidates are running in typically blue states.
In the email sent Thursday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, however, the group's chairman, Sen. John Cornyn, painted a united show of support among GOP senators and praised the nominee's debate performance.
"Mitt Romney couldn't have made a case for our vision of a Conservative government any better," the email stated.
Setting a goal for $100,000 by midnight, the fundraising pitch marked another signal that Wednesday night's debate could prove to be a turning point in the race, with Romney bolstering his conservative base.
"Romney's performance will help Republicans across the board, but we need to stand together and make sure this momentum doesn't end," the email stated. "Governor Romney in the White House is only part of the story."
– CNN's Martina Stewart, Peter Hamby, Dana Bash and Ted Barrett contributed to this report.


Romneys donors aren't named properly,they're investors.President Obama gets his money from millions of donors,Romney get his from millionaires who expect something if he wins,he's definitly has a large amounts of people to pay back with deals so he better win or else...
Save your money, Romney can't and won't win the election and that you can take to the bank.
John Kerry won In first debate–lost the election. Obama needs to bemore aggressive and needs to be naive too stung 47% comment, taxes, 47/50 job creation in Massachuttes etc,.,
PS: advise to Obama–raise your voice and come after dinner to debate. Please.
Romeny is eaither the BIGGEST LIAR EVER
or he is a soicalist disguished as a conservative ? he even sounded left of Obama!
TIME TO EXPOSE HIS LIES – he will do anything to win
Praise him when hes up.. kick him when hes down..
Romney and Ryan ........ Laurel and Hardy of the 2012 Presidential Campaign
Romney ........ No honesty No integrity
Romneyhood .......... Give to the Rich take from the poor
Mitt Romney is a bold-faced liar and during the debate he flip-flopped on every issue. He gave no specifics on anything and worked to appease the mindless masses – those who wouldn't understand the question or the answer. The President tried the high-road and will now hold Romney accountable for his Etch-A-Sketch lies during the debate. Now is the time for the President to take off the gloves and return fire. Being a dignified statesman is impossible in today's political climate.
Romney will stop the socialism on day one. Obamacare gone....Medicare free presciptions gone... No more welfare gone No more food stamps gone...No more EPA gone.... No more planned parenthood gone... No more gays in the military gone.... No more job killing regulations gone
On day two Romney will Iran that they have 24 hours to stop all nuclear enrichment or our Millitary will stop it for them.
TIME FOR THE UNITED STATES TO BE RESPECTED AGAIN.
Deport Sununu back to Cuba. John Sununu is Cuban born, Amadenjan was born in Iran and is their president and I've never heard him call President Obama the names Sununu has. Sununu claims he works for Romney, but he sounds like he works for the President of Iran because we don't stand for someone born in Cuba to be allowed citizenship in the U.S. to talk about any U.S. President in the manner he has and Romney says nothing. Politics is one thing but Sununu is an ungrateful S.B. and needs to be put in his place. We as Americans can do it if Romney and the Republicans won't.
Anybody who believes anything romney had to say aught to have their head examined ,the potential lier in chief had a record lieing perfomence and I think Obama just wants him to hang himself with his lies and let the fact. Checkers do the work and they already are .romney the tax cheat will win the debate and lose the war on Nov 6 th.
President Obama is quick on his feet and a confident, smooth talker. He didn't lose the debate, his poor job performance and toxic ideas lost the debate. He can improve his delivery and memorize some talking points, but he can't hide from his record of failure, and he can't propose any ideas except to do more of the same.
Nothing changed. The twit and his minions hate the poor, seniors, the military, children. To them we are all leeches. Whatever he said last night can be fact checked that as of maybe two days before he was saying something else.
As a woman I really thought that he was disrectful and if that had been my child talking like an angry spiled little brat he would have been sent to his room for a week!
I watched the beginning of the debate and realized I would learn nothing new and that Mr. Romney would tell us about his plans in many different ways. No real substance there. Mr. Obama was trying to get us to support his plans and not Mr. Romney's. His performance was dull and so he lost this debate in terms of presentation. Mr. Romney presented himself well but he really did not say anything that would make me vote for him.
The debates are not the showcases they once were. WE really did learn more in other debates. We have heard so much from these two candidates that we need to really hear something new. The number of people signing us for absentee ballots should show the candidates that many voters have heard enough.
Mr. Romnry, congratullations over the 1st debate. But be alert for the next two. Obama will go for revenge. And, like I said, a belic conflict in the middle east will explode soon, maybe before election day, and you will inheritage it. Our military has been weakening by the obama administration, and I blame obama for triggering it trying to destroy america. Obama is our worst enemy, inside our government. As president his followers won't believe he is our enemy!....
I just donated $100. Romney showed he has what it takes to turn this Country around last night. Let's give him a Senate he can work with.
The GOP should be sooo happy!
Their candidate Romney pledged to help people in trouble (wait, didn't this guy run his mouth about small governm,ent, about 47% of americans being victims who prefer to depend on government?)
He pledge to keep the best part of Obamacare (oh wait, he said he wants to let the states decide on their own health care system, so how on earth would he keep parts of Obamacare?)
He said he may tax the rich after all (oh wait, isn't that a line that belongs to the democrats?
He said he wants to give a tax break to the middle class and 2 billions to military spending, without raising the deficit. And I'm surprised he didn't mention that he can sell us a bridge too.
Romney lies his way to victory. That doesn't count.The man looks like he has some mental issues.
Why don't you moderate your energy pukes to the right of this colulm,you know the ones who pay you to censor people who would take away subsidies for oil companies.
Why would Romney's performance encourage conservatives? he was running add a democrat last night.
After last night's stellar performance by Comrade Barry We can look forward to a couple of more "Fails" before November 6th. Then we can wish Him and Michelle Aloha Adios and Bon Voyage!
Romney looked foolish last night . .
He's like the 12 year old kid who strikes out all season playing baseball, then in the bottom of the 9th, he hits a double . .
Let's see how he does at his next 20 at bats . .
I predict nothing but FAIL!!!
HAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!
You Obama babies need pacifier you whine so much
Are some Americans shortsighted? Romney is tricky, his character may get something done, but his character is not good as leader for the world, his leadership style will create a moral decline for America and the world in the long term. He is worse than Bush!!!!