Christine O'Donnell, the Republican whose surprise victory in Delaware's U.S. Senate primary last week put the fear of the "tea party" into the Republican establishment, says she would not vote with her party's leadership as a senator if it meant putting politics over principles.

"I would have to read any bill before making a decision, but if it contained earmarks, I definitely would not vote for it," Miss O'Donnell told The Washington Times on Sunday.

Asked whether she would refuse to go along with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, if he wanted a yes vote on a spending bill or any other legislation that violated conservative ideals, she said, "That's a hypothetical. I would have to look at the bill first, but I will always vote my principles"...