An analysis of Christine O'Donnell & her viability as a U.S. Senate Candidate in Delaware. She CAN Win the General: According to Rasmussen this July , Christine has officially debunked the myth that she cannot win in November…hence, Republicans DO NOT have to tolerate career politician and King RINO Mike Castle's liberalism.

Reposted from The Freedomist

In a large sample Rasmussen Poll last autumn a hypothetical race between Christine and possible Democrat candidate Beau Biden (the iconic name in Delaware) was tested, with both she and Biden polling in the 40's. In fact, Christine bested Biden (D) among Independents by approximately two-to-one. This demonstrated real voter power, especially in light of the tremendous "Biden" name recognition. In 2010, Christine has been able to build on her base of support as a proven vote-getter, and she now also has a professional staff assisting her. Early tests show that her online fundraising is good and will get stronger as the Americans begin to focus on the election.

Nationalization of Christine's Campaign: When the "blogocracy" embraces Christine's candidacy, as it shows strong signs of doing, she will clearly generate the financial support necessary to win both races.

Viability/Liability of Mike Castle: He has been in political office since before Christine was born. He has never really run a highly competitive race; this will be his first. Michael Barone of the Washington Examiner/FOX News calls attention to the fact that Castle's margins of victory have become significantly smaller in recent years. In 2004, he won his race with 69% of the vote; in 2006, his winning percentage shrunk to 57% and was only 60% against a weak opponent in 2008 proving he "peaked" long ago. The July Rasmussen poll clearly echoes this sentiment:

CASTLE’s NUMBERS HAVE BEEN DROPPING ALL YEAR!!!

Christine Against Joe Biden, 2008 & the Resulting Name Recognition: At the beginning of the race, Christine was largely unknown and Biden was on the national ticket of a campaign that spent $200 Million. In the 2008 race, Christine got approximately the same number of votes as the McCain-Palin ticket (~35%), while essentially equaling Biden in the southern two counties, despite being outspent some $5,000,000 to $120,000.

Christine O'Donnell has more name recognition and has run a state-wide grassroots campaign whereas Democrat Coons has not (this may very well be "winner takes all" in the GOP primary). As a proven vote-getter with a solid foundation of voter identification and name recognition, her potential candidacy tested extremely well in Rasmussen Report Polls last within the last several months, with strong support amongst Republicans and a 2-1 favorability with Independents, so the political science is already established for November.

RASMUSSEN Reports – Delaware Survey of 500 Likely Voters: September 30, 2009

O'Donnell Defies Headwinds In Race For Senate Seat

The Lame Duck Threat!
Cap & Trade Hangs in the Balance of Delaware Senate Race,
Christine O'Donnell could stop job-killing energy bill, Castle won't!

WILMINGTON, DE- As the US Senate GOP primary in Delaware heats up between Christine O'Donnell and Mike Castle, a new dynamic could bring national attention and national forces into the race.

"What separates this race from every other US Senate race is that the winner will be seated on November 3rd, rather than in January with the rest of the Senator-elects," said Christine O'Donnell. "That fact alone makes this race arguably the most important Senate race in 2010."

With the Democrats in Congress and in the White House expecting defeat in the November mid-term elections, many on the left are already discussing a full court press in the "lame duck" session to pass major legislation, including Cap and Trade, according to the Wall Street Journal.(1)

"There's nothing more dangerous for American prosperity than Democrats with nothing to lose," continued Walker. "Christine O'Donnell will provide the stopgap for leftwing lunacy in the lame duck session."

O'Donnell has pledged to vote against the "job-killing" Cap and Trade bill. Rep. Mike Castle was one of eight Republicans to vote for the Waxman-Markey sponsored Cap and Trade bill in 2009.(2) The bill remains stalled in the Senate, where Castle, if elected, could help push it over the finish line.

"Passing Cap and Trade would throw sand into the gears of the American economy," said Christine O'Donnell. "It would cripple our already struggling markets, taxing goods and services at every point of production and consumption. This bill would kill jobs and drive up prices on everything from peanuts to gasoline."

Rising in the polls, Christine O'Donnell has taken the offensive against her opponent Mike Castle's voting record.(3) Castle was rated one of the most liberal Republicans in Congress by the American Conservative Union.

"I will continue to hold Mike Castle to account for his liberal voting record," said O'Donnell. "He has already voted for Cap and Tax, and he will do it again."
1 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704293604575343262629361470.html?mod=WSJ_article_MoreIn
2 http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Republicans-who-voted-for-Waxman-Mark-49250927.html
3 http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/23/republican-senate-candidate-fires-new-salvo-in-the-next-battle-of-tea-party-versus-rino/

>>>>>>>
Banking on Mike Castle – by Jeff Poor

Rep. Castle says he would consider filibuster reform in the Senate

The Hill.com – By Shane D'Aprile – 08/12/10 04:47 PM ET

Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), who is running in a special election this fall to fill Vice President Joe Biden's former Senate seat, told a liberal blogger that he would consider supporting filibuster reform if he wins in November.

Castle called it "something I would certainly look at" regardless of which party controlled the Senate.

"That's an issue that transcends Republicans or Democrats," Castle said. "It's a question of how well does the Senate function?"

The Delaware moderate said he does see some value in the argument that the filibuster rule is a good one, but said from the outside looking in "it looks as if it can distract from pursuing an agenda."

Some Senate Democrats, frustrated by an inability to move major pieces of the party's legislative agenda this year, have brought up the idea of eliminating the 60-vote threshold. But the Senate leadership admits it doesn't have the votes to do it just yet.

A spokeswoman for Castle said she couldn't confirm when the interview took place, but she didn't dispute its content.

Castle's comments are likely to cause more grumbling among conservatives who are already warning that Castle could partner with Democrats in an attempt to pass tough agenda items like cap-and-trade in a lame duck session.