Castle Partly Blames Limbaugh and Hannity for Loss

Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) said Wednesday that Rush Limbaugh and FOX host Sean Hannity were partly to blame for his loss in the GOP Delaware Senate primary to upstart Christine O'Donnell (R).

In an interview with FOX, Castle called out Limbaugh and Hannity by name for what he described as "misrepresentations" and "erroneous" statements about his voting record.

"I hope journalists check their facts," said Castle, a moderate nine-term House member who many suspected would win the primary. Political handicappers anticipated he stood an excellent shot of then claiming the Senate seat formerly held by Vice President Biden for the GOP this fall. O'Donnell scored significant support from former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) and the tea party movement

Castle said that helped spell his political doom. He called tea party backers "agitators" and asserted that there "is disruption in the Republican party."

Castle is a former two-term Delaware governor who won election to the House in 1992. He says he "will not pursue office again" and has "no idea what is next."

"We did not expect to lose and we are surprised," Castle said. But he joked that his wife "seems content with it all."

However, the Congressman did express concern about his aides.

"I now have to worry about my staff and their employment," Castle said.