GOP Turns Winning Race into Losing Race in Delaware

How quickly the tides turn in Delaware:

Republicans more than likely cost themselves a Senate seat last night. Chris Coons begins the general election in Delaware with a 50-34 lead over Christine O'Donnell. Mike Castle would have led Coons by a 45-35 margin.

While O'Donnell may have ingratiated herself to Delaware's small group of registered Republicans over the last month she's turned off everyone else. An August Daily Kos/PPP poll in Delaware found her favorability rating at 23/33. It's now 29/50.

The internet here in Greece continues to be a bit spotty -- hopefully it will be better again soon -- but since I have a short window in which to type out a few thoughts, it's worth noting just how remarkable this turn of events was. Just a few short weeks ago it appeared that the Democrats would be forced to write off Delaware as a loss lest they spend big money to try to hold onto a seat against a popular Republican elected official. Now, it is the Republicans who are being forced to write off the race. Except they can't, apparently, given their base's attachment to their conservative nominee, forcing the party apparatus to invest much-needed money into a race that, as the polling above shows, probably isn't winnable. Quite remarkable!