More Primary Impetus, The Morning After

The primary votes for GOP NH-Sen are still being counted this morning, but the big news is that in Delaware, Christine "Masturbation is bad" O'Donnell has taken a six point win over 9-term Congressman Mike Castle for the GOP Senate nomination, and in NY's Governor's race, the GOP candidate will not be Rick Lazio, as everyone expected, but Carl "Debtor's Prisons" Paladino, who won by over 20 points.

Castle would have won the general easily, but in the dark blue state of Delaware, suddenly Democrat Chris Coons is the favorite.  The NRSC?  Now ignoring the race.

A National Republican Senatorial Committee source told TPM tonight that the party will be sending money and support elsewhere since O'Donnell, not moderate Rep. Mike Castle (R), is the nominee. O'Donnell, a perennial candidate who has never held political office, trails Democratic nominee Chris Coons.

NRSC officials say that if O'Donnell proves she is viable as a candidate in what is considered to be a blue state, "we would hope Sen. Jim DeMint and the Tea Party Express would invest in her race." If that happens, the NRSC would consider spending for O'Donnell.

The Tea Party Express hit back, calling it a "rash" decision and reminding supporters the NRSC attempted to help Sen. Lisa Murkowski during a close vote in the Alaska Senate primary she lost last month.

"It is because of inexcusable conduct in Delaware and Alaska that so many conservatives have turned to the Tea Party Express, offering their support and their donations," Tea Party Express officials told reporters. "These people have lost faith in the NRSC as just another big-government, Washington, D.C.-based organization that has contributed to the problems this country currently faces."

Meanwhile in New York state, Carl Paladino has the privilege of getting crushed by state AG Andrew Cuomo in the general despite Paladino's...extra curricular activities.

Paladino has generated some controversy since announcing his candidacy. He sent out a series of racist emails, suggested welfare recipients should be housed in prisons, and became quite outspoken in his opposition to the Park51 Islamic center near Ground Zero.

Lazio also focused much of his resources on opposing Park51, but it was not enough to overcome Paladino's personal fortune and appeal to populist anger.

We'll see if Paladino's "I'm mad as hell" slogan and personal wealth can put a dent in Cuomo's rather overwhelming lead. The TPM Poll Average shows Cuomo ahead in the general election matchup, 58.3%-25.9%.

We'll see how it shakes out, but frankly Delaware Senate is going to be a pickup for the Dems, and NY Gov will be a bright spot for them.  Seven weeks to go.  We'll see who's left standing.