GOP establishment shows its ugly backside in wake of O'Donnell victory (Updated)

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The Republican Party establishment is acting like spoiled children who didn't get their way in the aftermath of Christine O'Donnell's stunning upset victory in Delaware. The first bad ol' boy to show his hind end was Karl Rove, as Michelle Malkin comments:

I just finished watching Karl Rove trashing GOP Senate primary winner Christine O’Donnell. It was on Sean Hannity’s FNC show. Might as well have been Olbermann on MSNBC. The establishment Beltway strategist couldn’t even bother with an obligatory word of congratulations for O’Donnell. He criticized her “character” and “rectitude” and claimed she hadn’t answered questions about her financial woes. She did so here. Rove mocked her security concerns as “nutty.” Yet, her concerns have been more than justified. See here (second video clip).

Rove came across as an effete sore loser instead of the supposedly brilliant and grounded GOP strategist that he’s supposed to be. Expect more Washington Republicans to start sounding like Tea Party-bashing libs as their entrenched incumbent friends go down.

Then, before O'Donnell even had a chance to deliver her acceptance speech, Dan Riehl relates:

... the NRSC rushed out to say they will not support her. Video here via The Right Scoop. One source I spoke with claims that RNC Michael Steele is purportedly going to go to Delaware to support Christine O'Donnell. As I said earlier on Twitter, the NRSC is dead on the web as far as I am concerned.

@NRSC Cornyn is one of the most incompetent NRSC heads ever. Now you won't support us? You are DEAD on the web ....

I would encourage all grassroots and conservative activists and bloggers to, not just ignore them, but proactively work to run-down whatever web based initiatives they choose to employ until this matter is resolved. John Cornyn should be held accountable and removed from his NRSC position.

Finally, Mike Castle proved to be as ungracious in defeat as he was during the campaign. Channeling his inner Lisa Murkowski, the old goat refused to endorse O'Donnell:

A Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) campaign source confirmed to The Hill late Tuesday that the longtime congressman will not be endorsing Christine O'Donnell.

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As to whether the national party would back O'Donnell, a Castle campaign source said the campaign has no knowledge of their thinking but said "they should save their money."

Gov. Palin's appeal for unity seems to have fallen on deaf ears, at least as far as the old guard is concerned.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Lord wonders if the GOP is suicidal.

This is disgraceful behavior. The grassroots is going to have to completely take over the Republican Party and throw these corrupt bums out. But we will do it. The GOP will be the party of Reagan again if we have to drag every one of these sour old power-addicted ruling class elitists kicking and screaming out the door.

Updates...

Bravo, Jim DeMint. The South Carolina conservative Senator's PAC has set a goal of raising $174,000 for O'Donnell by next week.

Ed Morrisey has some excellent analysis and commentary at Hot Air.

Stacy McCain at The American Spectator: "This Changes Everything."

Dan Riehl looks at last night's winners and losers in the media.

Christine challenges her critics in the GOP establishment as she make the round of morning talk shows.

The GOP establishment feels the heat and turns on a dime.

- JP