Now, GOP says it ‘strongly’ backs Christine O’Donnell

After initially expressing concerns about the strength of her candidacy, national Republicans offered symbolic support to Christine O’Donnell the morning after her surprising victory in the Delaware Republican Senate primary.

“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,” Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Cornyn said he spoke with O’Donnell Wednesday morning and offered his personal congratulations. The committee also is sending her a $42,000 contribution, the maximum allowed by law.

“We remain committed to holding Democrat nominee New Castle County Executive Chris Coons accountable this November,” he said.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the committee will commit additional resources in the form of television advertising. The overwhelming majority of Delaware voters are located in northern New Castle County, which is served by the expensive Philadelphia television market.

Party officials said Tuesday it was unlikely they would invest much in the state, with more promising races in other states.

A poll released Wednesday showed O’Donnell had considerable ground to make up as the general election phase of the campaign began. Public Policy Polling, a Democratic-affiliated firm, showed Coons leading O’Donnell 50% to 34%. Had Rep. Mike Castle been the GOP nominee, he would have led Coons 45% to 35%.

Fifty percent of respondents view O’Donnell unfavorably, and 49% said she was unfit to hold public office.

The survey, conducted Saturday and Sunday with 958 likely Delaware voters polled, had a margin of error of 3.2%.