(CNN) – Christine O'Donnell received a lesson on the Constitution at Delaware's Widener Law School Tuesday, but unfortunately for the Republican Senate candidate it came during a debate with Democrat Chris Coons.
On the issue of whether creationism should be taught in public schools, a highly skeptical O'Donnell questioned Coon's assertion that the First Amendment calls for the separation of church and state.
"The First Amendment does?" O'Donnell asked during the Tuesday morning debate. "Let me just clarify: You're telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the First Amendment?"
Watch the heated interaction, after the jump:
Coons responded by quoting the relevant text: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
"That's in the First Amendment?" a still skeptical O'Donnell replied smiling, as laughter could be heard from the crowd.
Earlier in the debate, O'Donnell flat out asked, "Where in the Constitution is separation of Church and State?" - a question that Coons did not appear to take seriously.
Matt Moran, campaign manager for Christine O’Donnell, said in a statement that O'Donnell "was not questioning the concept of separation of church and state as subsequently established by the courts. She simply made the point that the phrase appears nowhere in the Constitution. It was in fact Chris Coons who demonstrated his Constitutional ignorance when he could not name the five freedoms contained in the First Amendment.”
Unfortunately for O'Donnell, the Tea Party-backed candidate also stumbled over the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Amendments when asked if she would support repealing them.
"I'm sorry, I didn't bring my Constitution with me. Fortunately, senators don't have to memorize the Constitution. Can you remind me of [them]?" O'Donnell said.
Some Republicans and members of the Tea Party movement have advocated repealing the provision in the Fourteenth Amendment that grants citizenship to every individual born in the United States and the Sixteenth Amendment that created the Federal Income Tax.
Members of the Tea Party movement have also called for a repeal of the Seventeenth Amendment – the provision that calls for direct election of U.S. senators. O'Donnell was aware of that amendment and said she supported it.
From CNN Politics
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And dumb Sarah Palin wonders why the GOP won't throw money behind O'Donnell and her other favorite village idiots? She knows as much about the constitution as Palin herself (which is nothing)!!!!!
Goodbye Christine!
Wow! Just Wow! This blows witchcraft out of the water. If this is not taken out of context, if she wasn't toast before she certainly is now.
Palin croonies are just as stupid, dumb and ignorant as she is.
another idiot right winger...she must be related to Palin!
As long as they look pretty, teabaggers don't care how stupid or unqualified they are. Can anyone imagine what the cabinet of a Palin Presidency would look like? Maybe that dude she went to high school with that liked cows will be Ag Secretary.
Another air head GOP/Tea party idiot
Candidates should be legally required to have a graduate degree or intelligence test to run for office. I mean if they spout the Constitution , Bill of Rights , founding fathers etc...without even knowing anything except that George Washington was a founding father...how can they possibly uphold the Constitution? BTW – George Washington and most of the other founding fathers were Freemasons, NOT born again fundamentalists or Mormons.
i think theres enough said in that article.
tea pariers across board are typically ignorant and know that an african american is in office and they cant stand it,
not much else to say to the retard odonnel except her and palinn should try porn average looking and not so bright
She's right. There is nothing in the Constitution that calls for the "separation of Church and State."
"Congress shall make no law respecting and establishment of Religion" and "Separation of Church and State" are not equal statements. Not by a longshot.
Frankly, Senators SHOULD have to memorize the Constitution. It would help them to do their jobs more effectively.
Apparently, all O'Donnell has memorized are Sean Hannity's talking points. This woman is an embarrassment to the Republican Party, the state of Delaware, and the United States of America. Please don't make the mistake of electing a moron like her.
Okay... let's just stop with the O'Donnell coverage. She's in way over her head, she has no clue as to what she's talking about, and she can't speak to anything other than her memorized talking points. Seriously, it's getting painful now. Let her just slide into memory and let's move onto something with substance...
Too Late O'Donnell – Please!!! You messed up by seeking an endorsement from PALIN!!! Now you ALMOST sound as dumb as she is!!! Jeez!
And Christine O'Donnell, O'Christine or whatever, is Palen's supported Delaware Senatorial candidate? Wow, the Palenista's must be soooo proud. Neither one of them can get their fingers out of their collective dimples – cute is as cute does.
Camouflage: Adopting a false appearance so as not to appear as one really is.
This is what the Tea Part is up to. They talk about the Constitution, but know nothing about it. They don't read it, study it, or know its history. They have talking points given them by their puppet masters, but haven't a clue what's in the Constitution.
It's the same thing with their "patriotism." They talk about patriotism but it's all lip service. They're not war vets. They don't do volunteer work for their country. All they do is complain about their taxes. And you know what? It takes a helluvalot more than bitching about your taxes to qualify as a patriot.
How funny. The constitution is a living document whenever lines need to be added or deleted to fit conservative aims, but otherwise is not a living document.
The Christine O'Donnell is a major party candidate for the United States Senate is an indication that the dumbing down of America is progressing at a greater rate than I feared that it was.
Bye, bye Christine. Thanks for playing.
I'm not a fan of this lady, but this phrase came from a letter written by Jefferson to memebers of a Baptist church where he mentioned a "wall of separation between church and state". This phrase IS NOT in the Constitution. The concept has been drawn from Establishment and Free Exercise clauses which have been twisted into a weapon against free expression by the likes of the ACLU. Before you morons chide others for their ignorance, perhaps you should check your facts. Typical Liberal blowhards.....
Oh My Word! Are we bing Punk'ed?
These TP candidates are such a joke. It makes me sad to see that such ignorance has become a virtue in the republican party. These people's brains contain nothing more than memorized talking points. The founding fathers must be rolling over in their graves at these constitution thumpers (not unlike the bible thumpers) who don't even have a clue as to what it says.
The dumbing down of America continues....
She is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Though amusing to watch, it's sad that a true debate about serious issues can't happen in this race!
OH MY GOD Mini Sarah is SSSSSOOOOO DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Donnell has been touting her course on the Constitution as part of her resume over and over again in public forums. It's pretty pathetic to demonstrate such a poor understanding of it. I generally avoid personal attacks but the the following question begs to be asked. Is O'Donnell dumber than Palin? You betcha! Wink
.
Get a clue Tea Baggers. These candidates are using the Constitution as nothing more than an empty platitude to get you to vote for them. Look at what they're actually proposing to bring forward as policy to see how it will directly affect you and your family. Look at the real budget numbers to see where our tax money goes. Look at what needs to be cut in order to balance the budget. Social security, medicare/medicaid, military spending, and the interest on the debt is 80% of the budget. They'll cut SS and medicare because they've already said they won't cut the military. There is a reason the candidates won't say what they'll cut. You won't like it.
What a dufus. A senator doesn't have to memorize the Constitution? How about, at the very least, knowing which amendments your own party is trying to change, and uses as their platform? This just goes to show you that Americans are literally "dumbing down." O'Donnell and the other tea bagger candidates are lowering the bar on who's acceptable as a candidate for the U.S. Senate (and Palin is their leader). This would be downright funny, if it wasn't so dangerous.
And this is who you nutjobs want for a U.S. Senator?
The Tea Party is all for getting rid of the 14th and 16th admendment! I knew that and I am a DEM!!....OMG this lady is a FIRST CLASS IDIOT!!!!......News flash! You might want to know a thing or two about the Constitution before becoming a Senator...YOU THINK!......WOW, even a 5th grader knows that!....And this is the person Repubs want representing them from Deleware?...SCAREY!,,,,SERIOUSLY!!!!!!
The following birds of a feather...dumb, stupid and ignorant...flies together. This is not about the right, left or middle...this is about upholding some kind of measure of integrity and the intelligence of this nation! Palin and her croonies are simply air brains. It is equivalent to handing a loaded cocked gun in the hands of 3 year olds (who by the way have a far higher level of intelligence than Palin).
This idiot is the GOP nominee for the US Senate? They really do hate America. Before you even consider voting for a Republican, consider the fact that they are supporting candidates like this.
I thought this eejit – O'Connell – was backed by Palin and her Teabagggers? Aren't THEY, and by extension the candidates they support, supposed to be our out-house, err in-house, Constitutional scholars?! LOL!! Total train-wreck embarrassment.
I meant O'Donnell.
What O'Donnell meant to say was, "I'm all about upholding the Constitution with strict interpretation. Now, can somebody tell me what this stuff means? Bill of Rights? Isn't that just chatter from the left? Check my website for an update later."
What O'Donnell meant to say, Part II: "I'm you, America. I'm ill-informed, incurious, close-minded, take terrible care of what little money I have. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must pray and dare myself to think about sex or evolution."
That's OK, I sure she's just chock-full of the "common sense" that Sarah Palin is always yapping on about.
Good Lord... I really hope the people of Delaware aren't stupid enough to elect this blithering idiot...
Talk about digging a hole deeper and deeper.
Just plain dumb. Sounds like someone is trying out-Palin Palin.
I'm sorry, I didn't bring my Constitution with me. Fortunately, senators don't have to memorize the Constitution.
-------------------------------------------------–
And THAT, folks, pretty much says it all!!!! ROFLMAO!!!!
It's very embarrassing to us women with people like O'Donnell and Palin running around. They're idiots!!!
Thank you Delaware, for giving us the best entertainment ever during this election season! I'd like to send everyone in Delaware a pony and a special treat to Ms. O'Donnell – a copy of our beloved Constitution. Thanks again, you guys! Delaware Rocks!
Thank you Sarah Palin for personally guaranteeing that Chris Coons will be elected the next Senator from Delaware.
Good god and everyone thinks Palin is a DING BAT, this women is a total BIMBO.
Wow, I really find this hard to believe, how can this be possible? Doesn't she preach the constitution should decide everything?
Whoa...and she is running for the senate? If she wins I have to question the sanity of the voters.
OF COURSE O'Donnell was right – as much as I hate to admit it – the 'Separation of Church and State' – is a quote from a private letter by Thomas Jefferson to a friend. Mr. Coons also forgot to quote (as most do) the rest of the Amendment regarding Religion – "Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an ESTABLISHMENT of religion, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF" – which means that we cannot be PREVENTED from Religious Expressions like Public Crosses or Prayer in Schools.
The teabaggers' love of the Constitution is unconditional - so they don't feel required to do anything extreme like read the document. What's "constitutional" is whatever is in their guts. The rest of us who paid attention in civics class are just secularist America-hatin' sochulists.
For someone who is a lifelong political operative, not knowing the relevant parts of the bill of rights is pretty phenomenal. And to my way of thinking, yeah, she totally should know exactly what it says in the constitution. Her swearing in text, should she win, will say that she vows to uphold the constitution and how can she do that if she only follows the cliff notes version of it, supplied by her tea party masters? Not fit to serve.
Can O'Donnell EVEN spell the word 'constitution'? Okay, that one's too hard, how about 'first'? BWAHAHAHA!!!! Go Teabaggers! Go!!!!
If any of the polls are right, and any of these Tea Party imbeciles get elected, the good news is, this will be the last time we ever have to contend with them. Unfortunately, the cost, even in 2 years time, will be great. How anyone in their right mind can even consider a vote for the likes of O'Donnell, or any of this group if ignorant, racist, self-serving, buffoons is totally beyond comprehension. No matter how "folksy" they may appear to be. Christine O'Donnell is a glaring example of an uneducated, right-wing zealot, that has absolutely no clue about things that are typically learned in a 7th grade civics class.
God help this wonderful country from the bumpkin and angry Teabagger man what a bunch!!!
wa hahahahaha! wow!!!! Coons just won the election with those comments. Big ooops for O Donnell
The tea party candidates, the dumber-than-a-two-by-four people - what entertainment! And for free. The trouble is, we will be paying for it in economy, politics, and international and national pride if any of them get into government. Like if Marmaduke ever caught the car he's chasing - now what?! no clue
Perhaps she should call $arah Palin, she knows everything-just ask her-oh sorry can't ask any questioj that are not pre-screened-OK then tweet her
I hope you realize that nowhere in the Constitution does it mention Separation of Church and State. As far as the Constitution stating that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, that means that Congress can not vote to ban or regulate a religion. In fact, Separation of Church and State was first quoted by Jefferson in a letter to a small religious sect afraid of being outlawed. So the concept of Separation of Church and State is all about protecting Church from the State.
O'Donnell has no chance of winning at this point, unless all of Delaware suddenly becomes mentally handicapped like all members of the tea party
And you people are seriously, I mean SERIOUSLY thinking of making this........complete moron a senator?
A vote for any Democrat is a vote for the overreaching, overspending, overtly divisive agenda of Obama, Pelosi and Reid that will end in failure and bankruptcy for our country.
A vote for any Republican is a vote for the Constitutional principles of freedom and liberty, and a free market economy. On November 2nd, vote American, vote Conservative, vote Republican.
Nowhere in the 1st amendment does it state "the separation of church and state". It has two clauses pertaining to the relationship between government and religion. "Establishment" clause stating the state cannot make laws creating/favoring a religion. The 2nd clause is "free exercise of" religion. "Separation of Church & State" is a higher standard than what is explicitly stated in the Constitution.
The constitutional research group of the members of Canadian Parliament thank Ms. O'Donnell
for not only her views on the Constitution of The United States , but also her views on the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Oh...my...god! O'Donnell is a complete buffoon and yet despite hers (and most other Tea Party candidates) complete and obvious ignorance regarding the Constitution, she's STILL in the running?? If our country ever needed help from above, now would be a good time.
not surprised.....she's an idiot
O'Donnell, Angle, Paul, Brewer, Palin..........Thanks alot Tea Party . You always represent what is worst about this country.
Anybody who makes the statement that the phrase "separation of church and state" is not found in the Constitution is obviously not opposed to having a theocratic form of government. Most religious fanatics like O'Donnell think this country should be a nation of commandments rather than laws. This filters into all of her other policy preferences, including a woman's right to choose. What we're looking at here is an enemy of freedom.
Who is Christine O'Donnell ?????
Those lamestream media outlets and their gotcha journalism!!
Hey Teabaggers, great job nominating O'Donnell. Your strategy of voting for anybody that Palin tells you to vote for without putting once ounce of thought into it is really working out. What intelligent patriots you are.
The big Oops. O'Donnell KNOWS the constitution. The separation of church and state is NOT found there.
She just illustrated the collective ignorance of her democratic foes and their liberal allies.
The next thing you're going to tell me is that she doesn't know what the Vice President of the United States does.
The unfortunate thing is that this is normal, not only for Tea Party candidates, but for members of the Tea Party as well. They are WILLFULLY IGNORANT and when the truth is presented to them, they reject it based on whether or not it fits into their core beliefs.
People like this cannot be allowed into a position of power within our government.
I can't believe she didn't know that
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone (with the possible exception of Mama Grizzly); O'Donnell has, at best, a room-temperature IQ.
That this deluded demagogue, who has now repeatedly advertised her idiocy via several venues, continues to be celebrated as a central political figure by uber-partisan Tea-tards speaks volumes on the character of the people who support her.
Those people who knowingly put our country at risk by voting for such obvious rightwing trash should be ostrasized by that part of our citizenry that chooses to actually use our brains.
OMG! I wonder how many of these teabaggers have ho clue when they talk about the Consitution. Probably all of them starting with the half term.
Just when you think that they can't get more stupid one of them opens his/her mouth and sticks their foot in it.
angle and the Mexicans looking Asian; bachman the revolutionary; o'donnell the witch who has probably never read the Constitution; brewer and the phanthom beheadings; the one from AK acting exaclty like a spoiled little brat.
As a woman I want smart women in Congress or anywhere else because they deserve it (educatipon, smart, intelligent) but these women are a joke to not just women but inhabitants of this planet.
These is the best the teabaggers have to offer? They are pathetic. I would feels orry for them if I didn't know that all they want is to succeed so they stick it to the little guy.
Christine O'Donnell and her Tea Party Republican friends are an embarrassment and a disgrace to the United States of America.
They are founding the American Idiocracy and the demise of intelligence. "brought to you by Karl's junior."
If we want to have a conversation here. The 1st amendment clause of "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". Does not require separation of church and state. That law if read the way I see the founders reading it is that the Federal Government (nothing about state or local). Can not advocate a religion. What is not mentioned in the article is the following phrase "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". With that being said, no judge or court, or law should stop the free practice of any religion, I will add "as long as it does not infringe on other rights" but that would be outside of this topic.
The actual term "separation of church and state" is not in the Constitution, but was actually in a letter from Thomas Jefferson. In that respect Christine O'Donnell was absolutely correct.
Yet again, O'Donnell confirms exactly why she should not be elected into a political position. Can this woman
get any stupider? She doesn't even know her own political platform.....If you want to be taken seriously, at least take
the time to "google" the topics you are against/for.
OH MY GOD!!! US should blame only itself if this person is elected for office
Come on, Republicans! Can't you do better than this?
Watching her advertise her ignorance in front of the country is similar to watching Palin do the same thing during the 2008 election. Sad thing is that people actually understand them and like them for their ignorance.
When we apply for a job and are granted an interview. Smart job candidates prepare for the interview by researching the company or organization. Voters should expect the same of political candidates. As the Bible states, "Study to show thyself approved." Oops is that mixing church and state? This woman doesn't know the basics of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and she wants to be in Congress? Give me a break.
Does is say somewhere in the Constitution that you need to have an IQ of over 55 to run for office?
There's a big surprise another clueless Republican Female Figurehead..Sarah Palin,etc. Republicans, if you're going to run intelligence-challenged people like O'Donnell and Palin, at least make sure they have an idea of what the Constitution says.
CHRISTINE O'Donnell is a nut case and is UNQUALIFIED to be in the U.S.Senate. the people of Delaware can't be dumb enough to vote her in office.
This is what the Tes Party supports. America needs to wake up.
This is so scary, this woman running for Senate, her and Angle really scare the American people. It's seems now that these candidates are proud of their stupidity. I guess Half Gov Palin and Beck have done their job to dumb down America. There's still time to move forward instead of backwards.
Vote NO in NOvember to the party of NO.
Tea Party + Sarah Palin = O'donnell. These are the same people who call educated people 'eliteist'. This is why we should have our best and brightest in washington, not our most likeable.
This Halloween we are going as the Delaware Senatorial race. My girlfriend will dress as a witch and I will be dressed as a bearded Marxist.
Unbelievable. how would anyone, I mean anyone, republican or independent like myself now that has the least amount of respect for him or herself vote for a republican especially if that person is a tea party candidate? I hoenstly can not believe that someone with brain would even consider voting for those guys. I am not advocating voting for democrates but honestly, I rather see a democrat with a brain being elected rather than a nut case being even considered. BTW, I am an ultra Orthodox conservative who finally saw the light and decided to become independent. please CNN post and do not ignore.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." Plain and simple. Now how does that mean seperation of church and state? How many times do you see dems stump in "black" churches ? No one says a word why? The answer is simple... Congress is not making a law! THAT PROHIBITION APPLIES TO CONGRESS AND CONGRESS ONLY when making laws that would benefit one religion over another. Other than that Seperation of church and state DOES NOT EXIST! Interestingly enough, the ones shouting that the loudest are the fastest to run to stump in churches!
Teapot. She is a total Teapot.
What a surprise! Who would have ever thought that christine o'donnell didn't know what is in the constitution?
Why are they saying that O'Donnell "received a lesson" when she was factually correct in her comment? The Constitution and "freedom of religion" clause is what allows us citizens to worship anything/anybody we want. However, AND LET ME MAKE THIS CRYSTAL CLEAR there is no mention of "Separation of Church and State" ANYWHERE in the Constitution!! That is an interpretation made by liberal judges to a comment Thomas Jefferson said in a public forum speech later in life. In addition, when Jefferson made the comment "separation of church and state" was NOT to say the state cannot have an "accepted" religion (i.e. Christian) but that the CHURCH cannot dictate what the STATE does!! Quite the OPPOSITE from what most assume!! If the Constitution desired "separation of church and state" it would have been stated IN the Constitution. I accept your apology that you did not know the facts on this topic and you now realize that O'Donnell is smarter than most including you.............
O'Donnell is such an idiot.
Ben Kenobi was right when he asked Han Solo the famous question, "Who's the bigger fool - the fool or the fool who follows him?" Foolish people populate the Tea Party and the GOP and ever more foolish people follow them.
She is not a very bright women. We learned all this stuff in Jr. High school.
Will this nightmare ever end???
Stupid is as Stupid does.
Even my 13 year old Grandaughter knows the Constitution better than this nitwit does.
I think that the GOP in its zeal to take over the Senate has backed some real doozies. O'Donnell and Angle just keep putting their feet in their mouths. No matter how much Nevadans dislike Harry Reid, couldn't they find someone better than Sharon Angle to represent them? She seems so clueless – confusing Latinos with Asians? And I agree that Senators don't have to memorize the Constitution, but even an eighth grade student knows what's in the First Amendment.
She doesn't understand science either given her comments on evolution ("monkeys should still be evolving into humans")and genetic engineering ("scientists have created mice with fully functioning human brains"). You have to wonder what she does understand other than her own ambitions.
Since she's been so hell-bent "defend the Constitution" and roll us back to 1776, which has been the whole Tea Party platform...she'd better know it front and back.
OOPS moment? O'Donnell, Angle, Palin, Rand Paul...the whole Tea Party represents a big oops moment for the U.S.
Just how will Mr.Coons deal with Ms. O'Donnels
84% approval rating among constituants under
five years of age ????
Maybe she should have "called a friend". Mrs. Palin could have looked up the answer and Tweated her the answer. Not surprising that this candidate is hiding from the media. Tough questions when you've no real education in civics that most received in middle school.
OMG Where did they find this woman? In the back seat of a
dodge Dart behind the stadium?
Watching her over the past months has been like a bad dream. O'Bama has to helping the Tea Party find more candidates like this one. This teabag definitely has a hole in it.
Actually, Ms. O'Donnell is correct – here is the First Amendment VERBATIM: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." efferson was responding to a letter that the Association had written him. In that letter, they expressed their concerns about the Constitution not reaching the State level. The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution did not yet exist, thus leaving the States vulnerable to federal legislation. In Jefferson's letter, he was reassuring the Baptists of Danbury that their religious freedom would remain protected – a promise that no possible religious majority would be able to force out a state's official church. The original text reads: "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists (June 1998) – Library of Congress Information Bulletin. The phrase was quoted by the United States Supreme Court first in 1878, and then in a series of cases starting in 1947. The phrase appears nowhere in the U.S. Constitution.
O'Donnell continues to amaze me by out-stupiding Sarah Palin. America, wake up! You can't vote for a candidate who stands for nothing but patriotism, small government, and lower taxes, without any specifics. PT Barnum whould have been envious of teabaggers.
Well, then Vice-President Spiro Agnew once said that even mediocre people should be represented in Congress ... but I would bet that he would have drawn the line at the Tea Republican Party, Sara Palin and Ms. O'Donnell. Heck, even Agnew would seem like a genius compared to these Bozos, oops, clowns. Don't want to insult Bozo.
I have no love loss for Ms. O'Donnell, but I cannot agree that Mr. Coons is correct. The idea of "separation" is derived from the "wall of separation between church and state," as written in Thomas Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists Association in 1802. Jefferson was responding to a letter that the Association had written him. The 14th Amendment had not yet been written, let alone adopted. Modern courts have not explicitly stated that there is a Constitutional "separation"–and the words do not exist in the Constitution. However, it may be argued, and frequently is with success, that the courts have created a separation. This is a case of poor journalism–for not fact checking and–and woefully lack of knowledge on the part of Ms. O'Donnell.
Burn the witch.
Notice neither candidate was ready to speak fluently about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Yeah, O'Donnell is woefully ignorant of many facts, that's obvious, and it's sad that "Grassroots" has come to mean "Happily Ignorant." However, Coons has also tripped up in much the same way on other occasions, including this same debate. All too often politicians- new and veteran alike- are making idiots out of themselves with their lack of knowledge of the most basic, the most fundamental, the most cited documents in our history. Poll the Senate, the House, both sides of the aisle and my guess is you'll find these people barely know a stitch of our founding documents anymore.
If your butcher couldn't tell you all the cuts of meat on a cow, would you consider him or her competent?
If your local librarian couldn't explain how to use the filing system, would you want them to stay in that position?
If the Tech Support staff at work couldn't find the power switch on your computer, would they keep their jobs?
We deserve better. Shame on these "leaders." Bipartisan shame.
Separation of Church & State comes from a letter Jefferson wrote to a Virginia pastor years after the Constitution was ratified. The 1st Amendment only prohibits the establishment of a state religion (like the nefarious Church of England). O'Connell was right on that point at least.
this bimbo is running for senate? doens even know whats in the constitution. it just keeps getting dumber and dumber. these republicans have no self respect, no ideology can replace common sense. then again show me a common sense republican. its hard to find, isnt it?
This "mamma grizzly" has no shame, no credentials and no competence. She is becoming a spectacle and an embarrassing one for any semblance of legitimacy the Tea Party may be seeking. Better quit while she's behind.
She's just parroting what her handlers have drilled into her without thinking about it. I'm sure her coaches discussed their lame neo-con argument that the phrase "separation of church and state" doesn't appear in the Constitution (although it appears in the earliest writings of the Framers of the Constitution), and in her mind that means the Constitution is silent on the issue. Yeah, this is who Delaware wants representing them in Congress. Although I'm sure she'll continue to surround herself by people to do her thinking for her, if she is elected.
I've got a college degree in political science. Have been working for a few years. But I don't consider myself qualified to run for public office unless I get some community experience and local political experience. I guess I'm wrong?
Another Palin Clone! These are the conservative nation Saviours? Better to keep your mouth shut than open it and remove all doubt!
Coons could not name the five freedoms contained in the
first amendment.
Yet your article dwells on the subject of O'donnell's mistake.
Even the headline of the story dwells on O'donnell's mistake.
And you turn around and make fun of O'donnell saying that
the media has it in for her.
Looks like O'donnell makes a good point. Biden makes this
maybe not so bright lady with a good heart look like a scholar.
And he is the Vice President for Pete's sake.
You cant be serious! I think this is pretty much Jr. high civics. If people actually elect people like this we may as well just fold up and close shop.
Is she really a candidate or does she just need her bills paid when the election is over? This is just painful to watch and read..
Congratulations CNN ... keep beating up the Republicans!!!! Your Democratic party might win a few more seats in November thanks to you.
Look not everyone needs to be a constitutional expert to enjoy the blessings of liberty any more than a knowledge of physics is necessary to enjoy riding a bike. But if you are going to mess with those laws, as is clearly the intent of the GOPTP, then you better darned well know what you are talking about. Clearly they don't.
Regarding the fourteenth Amendment, Being born here makes one as American as apple pie. Other than that, unless we are all full blooded American Indian, somewhere down the line, we all have imigrant heritage.
I think even the air is escaping from the heads of these wingnuts! This explains why she and the other Palin clones avoid debates and interviews that are unscripted or without pre-screened questions. To successfully participate would require knowledge that they don't have. What started all these freak shows?
Bless her heart...
Ignorance has become a Tea Party fashion statement.
The so called mandate of "separation of church and state" is NOT in the Constitution!
Read the Constitition by yourself. The closest language is in Amendment 1 which was intended to PROTECT the people with religion (on religious portion). The key phrase is "make no law", that is, don't make any laws to regulate religion, which also means to let people freely chose whatever religion they want. Of course, the government cannot make any laws to prohibit people excercising their religion.
The core issues of importance to the Tea Party include the ability to teach creationism in school, limit illegal immigration and the "legal offspring", lower or eliminate taxes, and to size down government. While I may not agree with all the ideas, I do recognize them to be bold ideas that need serious debate and discussion.
If our elected Senators do not understand or know the basic principle of the constitution well, then how are they going to be able to debate effectively. I don't think using Facebook or twitter to communicate your position while insulating yourself from legitimate differences of opinion adds to your credibility.
Absolutely laughable! This is why John Q. Public should not run for political office... At least brush up on your civics if your going to run.
This ladyi is a real joke. How did she ever think she had the knowledge or experience to run for public office. She and her cohorts talk incessantly about the constitution, and she knows nothing about it. It would be funny if it weren't so scary and sad!!
And this woman is running for the Senate? Heaven help us!!!
The words "separation," "church," and "state" are nowhere to be found in the First Amendment. It is intentionally vague and was the colonists' fairly reasonable response to the existence of the Church of England. It bears mentioning that several states had their own statewide Churches.
I'm not saying that Christine O'Donnell isn't an abject moron, but let's not allow that to take away from the fact that the Separation of Church and State, understood as such, is the deeply misunderstood brainchild of Thomas Jefferson, as interpreted by a 1950's Supreme Court.
Well that is one seat the Dems won't have to worry about
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The modern concept is often credited to the writings of English philosopher John Locke, but the phrase "separation of church and state" is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, where Jefferson spoke of the combined effect of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause . She is right.
Senators don't have to memorize the Constitution???
Well, that's probably part of the problem, folks. Let's start with having all potential candidates read the Constitution.
Matter of fact, maybe we'd better make that "all potential high school students."
I don't care what Ms. O'Donnel did in high school. Everybody did something they'd rather forget when they were 16. Personally, I spent that year drinking cheap wine, sneaking cigarettes out of the glove box of my dad's car, and hiking three miles down a country road during shift change so I could jump up and down in front of an air shaft fan (a really big fan that moves a lot of air out of a coal mine at high velocity) pretending to fly.
What bothers me is that I've gotten at least marginally smarter since them. Neither Ms. O'Donnel, her competitors, nor the majority of other folks running for office in the last 10 years seem to be able to make that statement, with or without qualifiers.
Wow... What a tool.
Good job, Tea Party. Way to pick a winner.
OMG...This is too funny
"Good thing senators don't have to memorize the constitution" .......... Delaware, that should be your biggest hint right there.
O’Donnell was later able to score some points of her own off the remark, revisiting the issue to ask Coons if he could identify the “five freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment.”
Coons named the separation of church and state, but could not identify the others — the freedoms of speech, press, to assemble and petition — and asked that O’Donnell allow the moderators ask the questions.
“I guess he can’t,” O’Donnell said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't bring my Constitution with me. Fortunately, senators don't have to memorize the Constitution. Can you remind me of [them]?" O'Donnell said.
wtf?
"I'm sorry, I didn't bring my Constitution with me. Fortunately, senators don't have to memorize the Constitution. Can you remind me of [them]? Because I plan on being a complete hypocrite and ignoramus just like the people I'm trying to oust."
Good grief! Because of O'Donnell, the United States, and, in particular, the Tea party, is the laughing stock of the world.
Thanks McCain...
It's like she's five. years old.
And tell me how many amendments did Coons have quote? Did they even ask him ANY questions about the Constitution? I bet not?
I expect my Juniors in high school to know more about the Constitution than O'Donnell seems to-and SHE wants to be in the U.S. Senate? Is this how low we have sunk?
And this woman is running for the US Senate? Can she see Russia from her front porch just like Palin? They must be related; both are unbelievably stupid and uninformed.
This woman, and her tea party ilk, are a threat to democracy and to the security of our nation.
This election cycle of Tea Party candidates are ignorant and dangerous. Most of them do not understand the basics of how government works nor do they have an understanding of the Constitution. Just today, shots were fired at the Pentagon. Inspired by Tea Party rhetoric no doubt.
This is not surprising. Ignorance is the foundation upon which creationism and political conservatism rests.
As I have stated many times before, these TP candidates are not just right of center, they are so far right that they are beyond absurd. I know people are tired of life long politicians and some want them out but should we really replace them with these TP people. Repeal the Seventeenth Amendment(the provision that calls for direct election of U.S. senators) really? So as a voter I should vote for these TP people so they could take my right to vote away to chose my own senator(s). Really? Its like hiring someone who tells you directly that" If you hire me I will steal from you" and go and hire him/her anyway. What do expect to happen? They want you to vote for them so they can take the right away from you..Wake up people!!!!!!
Hahahaha! How long does moderation take? Didn't like what i had to say? Fine, here it is again:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of Religion" and "Separation of Church and State" are not equal statements. Not by a longshot. That little word 'establishment' actually means something.
This is ignorance at its most extreme. If O'Donnell really meant what her spokesperson claims she meant, she could've very easily have said that instead of embarrassing herself. Keep this woman and those like her as far away from political office as possible.
A view from Canada, where do the tea baggers find these people? Hiding under a rock, even I know that they were arguing the 14th amendment specifically to nullify Citizenship for illegal alien babies who are born in the USA. And..monkey like creatures do not turn into humans overnight as she seems to think as seen on the Maher show. Evolution is a theory supported by tons of evidence and takes place over long periods of time. Gravity is a theory too so maybe if she doesn't believe in scientific theory she should talk a long walk off a short pier and see what happens. geez louis!
No, Christine, Senators do not have to memorize the Constitution; but wouldn't it be nice to know it if you are advocating trashing it?! This joke has gone on too long - though not as long as that Alaska-sized joke called Palin. Fortunately her campaign is imploding; but we cannot take Coons' lead for granted. This idiot O'Donnell is DANGEROUS. It is stunning that she actually is viable and that people will actually vote for her. America - do you really want to wear your stupidity on your sleeve?
Ms. O'Donnell is completely unqualified to be in Congress, like the other Tea Party Candidates Angle and Miller. THIS is who they chose to represent them and their platform? If you can't understand the Constitution, maybe you shouldn't be trying to change it!
For a person that is supposedly running as a Constitutional tea party type candidate she is woefully ignorant on the constitution. It constantly amazes me how some people want fame so badly that they will say and do anything to get it. It's soooo embarrassing to watch.
I am not sure anything really even needs to be said about this. These Tea Partiers. Always with the wisdom.
umm, i thought tea party candidates were all about the constitution .... i'm not sure this woman can complete the word scramble they give to kids at mcdonalds ..... she is not qualified to lead, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!
So if she thinks there is no constitutionally mandated separation of church and state, does that mean she supports sharia law?
If this does not end in a landslide, I will have lost all faith in American voters and this species as a whole.
What's the big friggin' deal? She's a witch not a Lawyer... Jeez, nobody's purrrfect.
You are misrepresenting what happened. O'Donnell got it right: there's no words in there about separating church and state, and that's what she was questioning. Coons is the one who needs a lesson and so do you.
This is too funny.
Right tea baggers – these are the kind of chuckleheads you want to elect? She's a professional campaigner – the only job she's had is running for office and doesn't even have a rudimentary comprehension of the Constitution. Oh, right, she's just like you...ignorant.
If Delaware actually elects this woman, they deserve everything they get.
Hey, its not her fault. No one told her there was going to be a pop quiz.
These question are got you question, ask Fallin Pallin
let me get this straight, Coons INCORRECTLY asserts that separation of church and state is established in the first amendment. O'Donnell calls him on it...
Shouldn't the headline read Coons gets O'Donnell for constitutional law 101? This is totally ridiculous. Your headline asserts the opposite of what is found in the article when it is read carefully.
Separation of church and state is a derived concept. It is not explicitly stated in the constitution. Not in the 1st amendment (which establishes freedom of religion) and not anywhere else. O'Donnell was right to challenge Coons on this as he was wrong. You wouldn't get that impression from reading this headline. Anti-teaparty shill much?
This should be retracted and an apology issued. I saw this on the home page of CNN. One might get the impression that CNN has greater stake in bashing O'Donnell than in reporting the facts.
This is misreporting of the actual debate – no wonder you all aregetting your butts kicked.
Fortunately, senators don't have to memorize the Constitution.
wtf
The Tea Party talks about protecting the constitution? Their candidates don't even know what's in the constitution! And when they find something they don't like, they decide to remove it! How is that protecting the constitution? That is literaly tearing it apart and taking away its significance.
"Fortunately, senators don't have to memorize the Constitution." Hmmm...I thought that was the whole thrust of the Tea Party?? Respecting and upholding the Constitution, that they claim to know more about than the rest of us. Ridiculous. Kind of like the Tea Party hypocrisy on "freedom" when they oppose gay marriage, are silent on Prop 19 in California, as well as a host of other personal freedoms... People face it, the Tea Party is NOT a libertarian movement. It's a Christian Conservative movement just like the 80s and 90s, just trying to put a "libertarian" BS spin on it in hopes of wooing independents.
Some would consider the fact that O'Donnell may be a WITCH and others consider her to be an IDIOT. I have no proof she is a WITCH but I am of the opinion she is not smart enough to be classified as an IDIOT and I refuse to insult IDIOTS also.
Church/State separation is *NOT* in the US Constitution. It is from a US Supreme Court Ruling and a "Wall of Separation" comment from Thomas Jefferson. I support that separation, but it is NOT in the US Constitution.
O'Donnell and Palin are stupid idiots! They speak in catch phrases and slogans and have no underlying knowledge of the issues. They are the best examples of the dumbing-down of this country! How any intelligent person could even think of voting for either of them is beyond me.
Yes, we should elect people who know nothing and dabbled in witchcraft, as long as they mention being Christian and wanting to take the country back.
That is not an oops moment. Oops is when I spill milk or misspell something. She honestly does not know the Bill of Rights. That's a dumb person. Don't sugar coat it.
She's a perfect representative of the TeaBagger movement: ignorant, incurious, unprepared and spoiled. She's running for SENATOR and she's not even familiar with the Constitution.
The (Witch) O'Donnell has shown her total lack of qualification for any elected office, once, again, just like most of the other TEALIBAN candidates, who have no concept of what democracy really is, and are the biggest threat to freedom since the unintelligent McCarthyism of the 1950's. Those idiotic clowns were shown to be as stupid as the current crop of dopes that make up the TEALIBAN.
Ahh I love te spin from O'Donnell's goon...no she wasn't questioning it...just was pointing out, for no reason at all, that the exact phrase doesn't appear. I guess it's irrelavant that there have been dozens of court decisions establishing it for decades. And Coons is "ignorant"? Wow....just.....WOW!
Between this woman and Palin, I'm absolutely terrified. Wow.
Maybe Sarah could coach her!
I don't even know what to say...
Coons maybe couldn't name 5...but O'Dumbo couldn't name one.
I try to be as independent of a voter as I can, but I tend to have one requirement for people in office – I want them to be smart. That is why I supported Obama and hated Bush. O'Donnel, Palin, and the others who cannot even answer a simple question... I sincerely hope the American people are not stupid enough to elect them... but I fear the worst.
She is an East Coast Palin which means she doesn't hunt, but is still as ignorant to her own thoughts as she is quoting the beliefs of our founding Fathers! This woman wants to not only prevent unmarried people from having sex with each other, she wants them to NOT have sex with themselves. Scary......"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis
Why is he even debating this half-wit? She's so far behind in the polls, deservedly so, that she should simply be ignored.
She a smart one aint she
the interesting thing of course is that the first amendment does not establish a "separation of church and state". it simply states that no law shall be created that establishes a religion. OR restricts the practice thereof. it is common knowledge that the "separation of church and state" as now defined is a construct of the SCOTUS (everson and cantwell). and only in the last 60 years. too funny. and coons apparently didnt know that. HA!!!!!
What a dummy this chick is. Her 15 minutes of fame are up.
It is a little frightning that many of these "tea party" people don't know the document that they claim to cherrish. It is a little like an epsiode of the original Star Trek where the Yang kept the constitution hidden because it was sacred. It was so sacred that the didn't know what it was or how to read it. Maybe these people should read the US constitution so they know what they want to defend.
"This woman is such a flake. Keep up the good work, maybe you'll manage to get the Latino Community out in force for the election."
Soprry, had to respond to this, especially since CNN will likely avoid covering this FACT because it's just that disgusting and damaging to one of their little controversy darlings:
The GOP in NV is running advertisements encouraging the hispanic population not to vote. The ad literally says "Don't Vote." It was created by, oddly enough, a fellow hispanic man, but one who has deep historical ties to the GOP. He covers up for his overt voter suppression effort by claiming that he's just upset with both parties on their failure to enact immigration reform, especially the Dems "for failing to keep their promises," but he is on record in the past as slamming everything the Dems have proposed and supporting the GOP's obstruction of it. It's a thinkly veiled voter suppression drive and an attempt to get the latino community in NV to stay home to benefit Angle.
way to go tea people...you voted for a bag of rocks
This is toooo funny!!
How can people seriously consider giving the hypocrites their vote??
Joe miller hate government help for ALL,with the exception of his family(wife collects unemployment,farm subsidizes,even though he received such help in the 90's for his family farm)
Carly(I'll ship your jobs overseas)fiorina feels she will make america better by shipping your jobs overseas!!
The preacher Rand Paul(thinks religion is a joke.
The Nazi(lott)loves the jewish vote but he love SS a little more!
Bill Maher, so long as she never actually gets elected, we all owe you an infinite amount of gratitude for bringing this astonishing gem to the center stage of American politics. What better way to illustrate the hypocritical ignorance of right wing nuts? Teabaggers advocate strict adherance to the Constitution, but they don't even know what the heck the document says. Sorry, Christine, is the first amendment too long to hold your attention? Or maybe it was too far down on the list... Being the First Amendment and all, you just didn't get to it. She is really stunned by the fact that the good 'ol USA would ban nationalizing a religion. Guess she forgot why our forefathers came here and established this country in the first place... Teabaggers are doing all they can to turn the USA into something like NAZI Germany. The first step is to create xenophobia and hatred towards immigrants, the impovershed, other countries, other races and other religions. By revealing her ignorance of the First Amendment, O'Donnel has demonstrated one of her agendas- the establishment of a nationalized religion, which is the first step towards something like NAZI Germany. Now, I want to be clear, the Teabaggers are NOT NAZIs, it is just that what they are doing is more dangerous than even they may realize, and it may lead to something like NAZI Germany, if it were to grow and fester. However, I do have much more faith in the American people as a whole than I do in the Teabaggers, so I think we'll be all right.... I can't really imagine anyone really voting for this imbecile anyhow... She almost makes Palin look like she's smart. Well, at lesat not so dumb.. Cheers!
Teabaggers just really don't value education do they? They just really don't.
Teabaggers = a threat to our children and our future economy.
Wow!! she wants to be a lawmaker, actually write laws. She needs to be a bit more curious about the law before she can wisely and smartly write them. Getting familiar with the law takes time. That's why so many lawmakers are lawyers. it takes time, alot of time to know how not to screw up the lives of people with the law. She's not ready. Life is too precious and is serious. We don't live forever so lets make progress while we are living.
I would be much more interested in the Tea Party's stated goals of smaller government / fiscal responsibility / anti-incumbent if they would only offer up a few credible candidates who weren't obviously ignorant or crazy. The whole "Let's talk about the issues, not my background" would be silly if a stranger walked into the operating room of a hospital and you demanded to know if they were a real doctor. So why are we letting candidates for the US Senate get away with this? Absurdity. Currently, the Tea Party is just the populist No-Nothing Party from the 19th century – a vote for Fear and Ignorance. Sorry folks – there really are no simple answers to complex problems. That's just the way the world works. If you want to make a positive different, vote for someone really really smart *and ethical. That's the secret sauce to a solid Republic.
And we should be surprised at this obvious display of ignorance on the part of O'donnel regarding the Constitution? Really? This is a person who, as we have all seen displayed week after week, doesn't understand anything about science, reason, logic, and apparently the structure of the Consitiution. The world is laughing at us right now, because we give credence to what diots like Odonnel, Angle, Beck, Paul, etc. have to say on any subject. They're the most ignorant bunch of politicians on the planet, but for some unfathomable reason, you keep reporting on them as if they're intellectual giants. These are stupid people, folks. That's all there is to it. And if you vote for them, you're nuts.
This article went from bad to worse. It makes no sense and the tagline doesn't gell with the text.
What's frightening is that many Tea Party people I've talked to insist that the first amendment does not, and was never intended to establish a separation of church and state. Luckily, our Founding Fathers disagree:
"Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the United States the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies, may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history" – James Madison, Detached Memoranda -1820
"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State" – Thomas Jefferson, letter to the Danbury Baptist Association – January 1, 1802
There are many other examples....
Think it's Coons that needs Con Law 101! Separation of Church and State IS NOT IN THE CONSTITUTION. Was incorporated in Supreme Court Decision and was phrased used by Jefferson in letter to Danbury Baptist to APPEASE THEM THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT INTRUDE IN THEIR AFFAIRS NOT VISA VERSA. Kudos to O' Donnell! First Ammendment is Establishmenht Clause which prevents the free excercise of religion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CNN YOUR SHOWING YOUR TRUE COLORS!
Just like Sharron Angle. Theocratic idiots!
I think Christine O'Donnell's 15 minutes were up about 45 minutes ago. It's time she pursued other career options.
Christne O'Donnell is her own worst enemy! Since she agrees that Sepration of Church and state has been established by the courts then the argument is a mute point. Coons also pointed out that an established religion will not be recoginized by the US as one that dictates it's own dogma on a group of people. That is what the founding fathers were trying to do. So if you're a baptist you can't force me to be one if I'm a methodist. This is simple six grade civics...LOL!
Didn't she take Civics in High School?
O'Donnell, like most of her cohorts in the TEA parties, lacks even basic knowledge of the very Constitution that they purport to respect as the supreme law of the land. I doubt that O'Donnell has ever read the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Northwest Ordinance, or for that matter, any of the seminal SCOTUS decisions she decries. It seems to me that before anyone signs on with a bunch of Constitution and flag wavers, they ought to make sure the wavers have some basic knowledge of the documents. And anyone who seriously advocates repeal of the 14th, 16th, and/or 17th Amendments would take this country back to ante-bellum times. Hey, why not go for the 13th while they're at it? I think that's what they really want. I guess the question I would ask of such people is whether they want to continue to have a nation called the United States of America.
Hey Mr. Mooney, get your facts straight. The first amendment does not say anything about seperation of Church and State. Bad headline from an ignorant liberal!!
Oh gosh bless her even if she doesn't know anything she's not a democrat so I'm voting for her.
Wow – not embarrassed to demonstrate her vast ignorance – Tea Partier for sure!
MAN UP O'Donnell! AND DROP OUT OF THIS RACE!!! You've lost it! And the Republicans continue to implode day by day....
I'm confused as to what the 'lesson' was?
This is terrible journalism.
How can you and your party stand for the constitution when you and your party don't respect/don't know about the constitution??
Ok, I'll give Ms. O'Donnell the argument that senators don't have to memorize the Constitution (even though I am certain many do considering that most have worked hard to become Senators and the Constitution is a big part of our government) but you have got to be a freaking moron – or just utterly careless – if you can't recall the consitutional ammendments that your own tea party stumps daily on every platform available. Stop blaming liberal media and their "gotcha jounalism" (that your fearless leader, Sarah Palin, famously quoted because she couldn't answer fundamental questions) and start arming yourself with a fundamental knowledge of government or current issues. If you want a focused, bi-partisan, effective government we have to stop voting for the candidate that screams the loudest rhetoric and start voting in intelligent, reasoned invididuals – democrat or republican, I could care less.
Hey cons, How can u defend something u know nothing about,lol.
PLease change typo "Prevents" to "protects" Thank you
"Fortunately Senators don't have to memorize the Constitution" but apparently they can accuse people of disregarding it or espouse their version of it without actually knowing what's in it.
For God's sake and she is running for Senate? Heaven help us all. what an embarassment.
she'll be attending the michelle bachmann constitutional law class if elected, otherwise known as the rush limbaugh/sarah palin school for dolts. maureen dowd is right, but these people are notn just bullies. they're so stupid, and so easily led, that they're very very dangerous.
these tea party loons are hoot. they know nothing of the constitution. they proclaim that they do, but they will be the first in line to spit on it.
You're taking her out of context. It was a retorical question because all liberals think the 1st Amendment is the separation of church and state and that is not correct. The first amendment merely says that Congress shall establish no religion or prohibit the free exercise thereof. Also, it's funny how God is on our currency, in our oaths, etc. and people think the founding fathers meant it to be separated out. I'm an aetheist and I can figure this out.
What si going on inthis country, that anyone in their right mind could take this women seriously? I was watchinghow Hitler came to power with brown shirts verbally abusing people who disagreed with them,which eventaully spread to beatings of those who disagreed with them. Evil wins when good people do nothing to stop it. People need to rise and stop this minority of vocal angry people from hijacking this country. My persian friends tells me how no one in Iran took the mullahs serioisly until one day they woke up and they were running the country. Myf riends get out and vote and stop this Tea Party Lunacy.
Maybe senators SHOULD be required to memorize the constitution!! And the Bill of Rights. And each amendment added since. After all, they're in the stinking legislature . . . isn't that supposed to be where laws are crafted and voted on?? Heaven help us but our congressional choices are between ignorance and idiocy.
Typical of something Palin herself would say or by someone Palin would whole-heartedly endose. You betcha!
We finally found the right McCain for President!
Yes, Christine there is a constitution. Senators are not required to memorize the constitution, but they are expected to understand the most basic tenets therein. I'm sure that this woman sincerely believes in what she says, and she probably does not intentionally act stupid. Unfortunately for her, I look for something more in a candidate for a US senate seat. You know, like intelligence, an understanding of American history, and the ability to understand difficult concepts such as evolution and global climate change. These tea bagging whackos are going to be VERY interesting to watch...
"I'm sorry, I didn't bring my Constitution with me. Fortunately, senators don't have to memorize the Constitution. Can you remind me of [them]?" O'Donnell said."
Oh dear god!! .People want to send this women to congress?
The problem is, unfortunately, she's right. There is nothing about the separation of church and state in the Constitution, and, in fact, most legal scholars believe that such a separation was not intended at the state level. The doctrine of the wall of separation was invented by the Supreme Court, which, of course, is their prerogative.
Let's see: 1. Freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of speach, freedom of associations, freedom of religion.
Not sure on that last one. How'd I do?
I think it's pretty clear that she was making a point, not that she did not know the first amendment.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution IN FULL:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
THERE IS NO PHRASE ANYWHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION "separation of Church and State."
This is a New concept being promoted by Marxists and Communists and Progressivists and people who believe that humans are mere mechanical accidents in a universe without meaning.
The United States Senate and House of Representatives each have a Chaplain, and begin their sessions with a prayer.
It is absurd to mock one candidate for pointing out that this doctrine IS NOT FOUND IN THE CONSTITUTION.
this lady is so dumb.
This is one ignorant candidate. Many times we learn on the job (OJT) but this is rediculous. She doesn't even know the basic provisions of the freedoms and rights she is supposed to be fighting for. Please don't allow this nitwit to have any possible influence over the operation of this country, it's economy, and most importantly it's citizens.
Ooooooookaaaaaay. Lord help us.
It doesn't matter that she is not smart. She a Tea party candidate and Sarah Palin got her back...
What a joke...
She is right though. The concept of Separation fo Church and State – as it is often discussed – refers to the non-involvement of faith in politics. This isn't the meaning of the First Amendment – which bars the establishment of a national religion. This is why aspects of religion are found all over the place in political writings, traditions, and monuments. It is unfortunate that Coons fails (at least in his response) to understand the difference between the two.
The author of this story has had an oops moment. O'Donnell was correct in questioning the statement that the constitution contains "separation' language.
O'Donnell is dumb even by Delaware standards, which is to say super-dumb. She's not as dumb as Sarah Palin, but that's not saying much.
We laugh and we laugh and we laugh at the absolute absurdity of these bimbo MILF tea party candidates sucking at the teet of Sarah Palin, yet many such as Sharon Angle have a good shot at winning. And even O'Donnell will get a good 30-40% of the vote when all is said and done. Point is I don't fear Al Quada or China or a nuclear Iran or the falling dollar anywhere near as much as I fear the growing number of voting Americans who's intelligence falls somewhere between Paris Hilton and Snooky.
please nobody laugh we really need to fix our education system and we know who we don't want trying to fix it. Palin, o'donell the biggest joke to politics. T bag people put it in your mouth and save what dignity you have for when the south shall rise again. lol moveon.org
Did you really write this? She was absolutely correct. The First Amend. only prohibits the establishment of an official religion.
Looks like you have some studying to do.
You are so eager to smear O'Donnell that you wrote off the cuff and didn't even do your homework. You get all of your education from liberals and probably haven't even read the Constitution.
Watch FOX, you might learn something. Ha.
O'Donnell is right. The idea of a "wall of separation between church and state" comes not from the Constitution, but from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to a church committee in Connecticut in 1802. But this half-educated twit of a reporter was so steeped in his own assumptions and false narratives he made an idiot of himself. At least, to informed people. Other half-educated twits, no doubt, will nod their heads in approval.
The concept of "separation of church and state" is indeed NOT specifically stated in the constitution. O'Donnell may not be a constiutional scholar, but she is not guilty , as is Mr. Coons of creating law from thin air. The first amendment only prohibits Congress from "establishing" a religion. It also protects the free practice OF religion.
Typical GOP dope.
The irony is that if O'Donnell won, she would be sworn over bible to protect the Constitution of the USA. How could she defend it if she didn't know what's in it???
What a total loon.
Don't worry – the Tea Partiers will twist this around into something that is Coon's fault, even though O'Donnell explicitedly questioned a statement from the Amendment itself, as if she had never heard the First Amendment before. Then to act like she had suckered Coon into a "gotcha" moment?! Amazing.
People are actually gonna vote for someone ignorant of whats in the constitution..............wow......for all you that want Obama and the Democrats out? well, this is what's getting in
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
That is not a separation of Church and state, so she was right.
The reasoning:
- Congress cannot establish a national religion.
- Congress used to pray and meet in churches all the time, including before and after the 1st amendment was created.
- Separation of Church and state is a modern phrase that stretches and/or mis-interprets the 1st amendment.
- O'Donnell's thinking is in line with Supreme Court Justice Scalia.
- The Law students that laughed embarrassed themselves by accepting a wrong interpretation of the 1st amendment.
she will lead us
off a cliff to fantasy land
Could all of you get it right the ammendments are found in the bill of rights not the Constitution.
Seems to me that O'Donnell was correct in her assertion that the phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in the first amendment....and that the one with constitutional egg on their face was coons who could not accurately name the five freedoms granted by the first amendment....hmmm your reporting while glazing over that fact, still implies O'Donnell was somehow the ignorant one....aren't you at all embarrased by your inability to accurately report the news without bias?
She's right, separation of church and state isn't in the U.S. Constitution. It was invented by the courts as a constitutional doctrine in the last half of the 20th century. At the time the First Amendment was written, it was understood to protect religious freedom, and to limit the federal government from interfering with religion, not to limit states or private action, and certainly not to try to force religious people into closets. Hence, the fact that at the state level there were effectively state religions for well after the Bill of Rights was passed. This is constitutional history that any honest and educated person ought to understand. The problem for O'Donnell is that she's dealing with journalists who don't know squat beyond the secular platitudes they hold onto with religious fervor, and those platitudes aren't constitutional fact, they're just ideological positions they figure must be true if they repeat them enough. Hence, the fools mocking.
There is nothing in the 1st Amendment about separation of church and state. O'Donnell got it right (your article even admits it–sort of), and yet you still write an article about her getting it wrong. Establisment of a religion and separation of church and state are similar, but not the same. The former is in the constitution, the latter is not. I think that's the point O'Donnell was trying to make. While we do require separation, those rules are not born out of the constitution, but out of other laws.
Who cares what's in the constitution? All that matters is what God wants. What Would Reagan do? But most importantly – I'm not a witch.
'Separation of Church and State' is mentioned NO WHERE in the constitution. The First states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
Shall make NO law respecting an ESTABLISHMENT of religion, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE OF...
It does NOT state that there can be no religion whatsoever in anything related to govt (that would be prohibiting the free exercise of). The govt cannot establish or endorse one religion over another like the Church of England. Furthermore, state govts and state govt duties (such as education, which the federal govt has no constitutional authority to legislate) aren't bound by 'congress'. This is another reason why Federalism is so important.
Lesson 1: Don't take Constitutional interpretations from Marxist, Communists, Statists or Progressives. They hate everything about the Constitution. It's the fundamental bane of their agenda.
It's sad that the 'educated' audience thought O'Donnel was being ignorant, when in fact, she was making Coon (and CNN!!!) out to be the fool communist that they are!!! ZING!!!!
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
That folks, is the first amendment. Your opinion on how this applies to the point O'donnel was trying to make will depend on if you like O'donnel, or dislike her.
Literally though, she is correct.
The phrase of separation of church and state does not exist in the Constitution. O'Donnell was right, Coons and CNN are wrong.
She is absolutly right.... the first amendment says there shall not be a state church or religion. There is nothing in the Constitution about the separation of chirch and state. The Founders did not keep religion out of the government, congress started each day with a prayer.. a practice that is still going on today! The Senate even has a Chaplin. The Founders were simply protecting us from a state religion like the Church of England whose repression so many of our forefathers fled.
It is a sad testament to the state of our Law schools that the audience at the debate didn't know she was right. No wonder the practice of Law has such a bad name, and the profession does so much damage to out country and freedoms. Just look at the fact that nearly 50% of memebers of congress are lawyers!!
It's also a sad testament that the media is so dishonest, or ignorant as the print this as a true story. Don't worry about the truth, use it to try to eek out a victory. At the expence of the Truth and our Freedoms. I had to dig just to find a place to post a response... what are they so afraid of?? Also why was it not printed that Coons could not name the 5 freedoms guaranteed in the first amendment when she asked him what they were?? Dishonest and cowardly...
Why are all the Tea Party and Republican canidates always saying anything they do not support is unconstitutional or not in the constitution? Repeatedly these self defined constitutional experts can not answer simple questions about the U.S Constitution they say they cherish so much. Sharron Angle also says there is not requirement for the separation of church and state in the constitution. Theocrats just like in Iran and the Taliban.
Sarah Palin lite
I'm sorry, I didn't bring my Constitution with me. Let me check with my book of potions and my broom. Hocus-pocus giranamocus, mirror mirror on the wall....
And people actually take this lady seriously? Wow, just shows how stupid people are.
This is so sad. At least no what you are talking about.
How can you support somebody for the United States Senate who does not know anything at all about the amendments to the Constitution, and thus presumably, the Constitution itself???
Hopefully one day (sooner rather than later) people will realize that we need people who at least know the Constitution before they decide to run for the senate. To think you can just fly in on your broom and be elected is naive at best. Should Ms. O'Donnell be elected (God forbid), it would be interesting to follow her senate career to see just how long it takes for the special interest groups to "get to her" and buy her votes. She looks to be easily swayed. Look how quickly she went from being a Sarah Palin look-a-like to a different look, just to try to get elected. At the very least Ms. O'Donnell should have memorized the First Amendment in preparation for the debate. Isn't it interesting that she, like Palin, always have excuses for their lack of knowledge or simply just blame someone else. Sad days in politics.
O'Donnel is correct here. The phrase "seperation of church and state" does not appear in the constititution. The first ammendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....".
Thought I'd have some fun on this one...
"On the issue of whether creationism should be taught in public schools, a highly skeptical O'Donnell questioned Coon's assertion that the First Amendment calls for the separation of church and state."
FACT: The separation of Church and state is mentioned no where in the constitution.
"Coons responded by quoting the relevant text: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
Okay, I'm still trying to figure out the Church and state significance of this statement. This statement means, 1) a law cannot be passed that merges the Catholic and Baptist religions to form the "Baptholic" religion. Again..... no such separation of Church and state.
Ah, now to the point. Creationism in the classroom. Well, this is my personal view, but why not. My only caveat to that is if there is an active religious program at the school. Evolution is taught as a science and not a faith and vice versa. I think that the student should be pointed in the direction to get that information if they desire, but no as science curricula.
I am so not surprised that she hasn't even bothered to learn the Constitution. She is a phony just like Palin.
Eough of these "tea party" airheads! Lord-a-mercy!
Wow, O'Donnell doesnt know the Constitution? No surprise really since most Tea Party candidates are pandering to the uneducated crowd. Angle doesnt know if Hispanics are Asians. This is the best they got to offer us? Tea Partiers might as well put on white sheets and bring out the burning crosses. This is the decline of America happening if these people win.
Ah the CNN ticket. Home of Sarah Palin news and Tea Party candidate smear pieces.
Miss O'Donnell-time to pack it up, go home, and realize you are not fit to represent Delaware. If you do not understand even the basics of our legal system, how can you enact laws? How can you legislate?
This is why I do not vote for Tea Baggers because most are simpletons. Most received their Constitutional education from Glenn Beck's chalkboard......very scary! This is why I do not vote for former CEO's because they, too, possess limited skills in enacting legislation. If you do not know or understand the Constitution or the numerous Supreme Court cases that tested various amendments, stay the hell out of government and public policy in general!
BTW, Chistine....Thomas Jefferson was very adamant of Separation of Church and State; he did not want an established religion...hence, the Establishment Clause!
She was referring to Coons assertion that the separation of church and state is actually in the Constitution. Coons was the one who looked foolish. The laughter in the crowd was directed at Coons for NOT knowing what is in the First Amendment.
Holy cow!! Did she ever come to that debate unarmed mentally. God help the people of Deleware stupid enough to cast a vote for her. I think she has little chance of winning, but there will be fools to vote for her.
Funny that those currently calling for a stricter following of the Constitution seem to not know it as well as their 'socialist' opponents. The tea party has been corrupted by social conservatives with neo-con tendencies. They don't know the Constitution and they have no plans to cut the debt. Cutting taxes will only serve to increase the debt. While on the face of it, it's great for us as individuals, our country will pay for it in the long run. Spending must be cut, first through fraud and what-not, but it needs to be cut back drastically as a whole. Doesn't anyone in the government take bids? Oh, also we need to end pension plans and install 401Ks. The one thing Reagan definitely did right was fighting the airline workers. While many be upset with some of what the Democrats have done, for the most part, they're better than their tea party/republican counterparts. The Libertarians have killed themselves by harnessing their wagon securely with Republicans. Same thing with McCain. Ron Paul's commendable vision of libertarianism has unfortunately been hijacked by Fox news and Sarah Palin. Truly a shame.
OK, this takes the cake. Not only does this woman not know (from her schooling???) that the constitution provides for separation of church and state, she seems to have no idea of where such a provision would be. Hey, I WENT to Catholic schools and I know they did teach US History. Was she at witch schol then?
Education is overrated by lots!
Are we in a bizarro world? You can't make this stuff up! The sad reality is that she still has supporters. My hermit crab is more qualified than her.
A few words come to mind like bimbo, ditz, clueless twerp, idiot; yet none of these can truly describe the Delaware Phenomenom. Maybe a new word needs to discovered which can accurately depict Christine O"Donnell!!!
What a wonderful spokeswoman for the GOP! I feel like I'm watching a train wreck. If I were her, I'd be suicidal after watching that video. What are we becoming?
Yahoo and Coons gets lesson on Constitution. Nowhere does it mention, state, or imply separation of Church and State. Furthermore, Coons could not cite the guaranties of the first amendment other than his incorrect answer of Separation of Church and State. This is a pitiful attempt to try and make the Conservatives look bad but it shows the ignorance of the Liberal Media and Democratic Party. READ the Constitution. Don't take anyone else's word about what it says.
It seems you forgot to mention that Chris Coons could not name the five rights given in the first amendment. I also found it really ironic, that several law school students laughed at O'Donnel's remark, when she was actually correct in her assertion that the phrase does not appear in the first amendment, and it what does appear about religion in the first amendment is to protect your own religious freedom. No where does it say you are unable to have religious themes in government. If that was true, they wouldn't start congress session's with a prayer (which they often do), have In God we Trust on our money, as well as other things. The fact is that the courts have stipulated and extrapolated the meaning. Originally the idea of "separation of church and state" was focused on protecting religion from state influence, not the other way around. That the state couldn't mandate what you believe or what the church practices. It seems to have been expanded to go both ways. O'Donnel, did not say the comment smoothly or slyly, because she is not that kind of politician. You clearly should read your own constitution, and stop spreading falsehoods.
This isn't that surprising. Many people go on on and about how the constitution says this and that but it's very pick and choose. If the constitution doesn't favor your argument you'll ignore it and normally not bother to research. Many tea partiers and republican do this and O'Donnel is one of them.
Some much Palin's assertion that Teabaggers value our Constitution...
This "is it in the Constitution" argument is tired. Judicial review, established in Marbury v. Madison, which gives the United States Supreme Court the right to judicially review constitutional law cases, is not in the Constitution. Show me where it states the United States Supreme Court is constitutionally allowed to "judicially review" things. Its not there.
My point is...the Constitution isn't a strictly written document that doesn't require interpretation. Its why Scalia, try as he may to push Originalism in his every decision, but sometimes stray from what the actual Constitution says, because the Constitution does not directly address everything within its approximately 25-typed pages.
And for O'Donnell's clarification, the "Separation of Church and State" is a short-hand version of the idea codified by the passage Coons cited in his debate. Jefferson coined the term in his Letter to the Dansbury Baptists. You know that founding father, who penned the document she finds most near and dear to her conservative heart.
All I can say is OMG – heaven help us all if the state of Delaware elects her to the Senate!
Can't wait to watch Keith Olberman tonight on this one. Evolution is a myth..... campaign manager spin....you see, candidate O'donnell was making a rhetorical statement in which if followed to it's absurdity would lead one into the most preposterous conclusions such as people with strong religious views and little knowledge of the American constitution actually being in contention for a seat in the U.S. Senate..... I mean , really....you can't take anything she says seriously. Who is feeding her the bullet points ? please tell her not to stray too far off these as she gets into trouble...
You're telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the First Amendment?"
Coons responded by quoting the relevant text: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
So O'Donnel was correct. The text Coons quoted is very different from a separation of church and state. the quoted text simply says no LAW can be made establishing a religion. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" had always meant that Congress was prohibited from establishing a national religious denomination, that Congress could not require that all Americans become Catholics, Anglicans, or members of any other denomination. The clause is for Freedom of religion not from it!
Wow – impressive. This is the woman that people want running this country? Would you hire a worker who didn't even know the FIRST rule of business in their supposed area of expertise???
The hilarious thing is that there are stillplenty of uneducated rednecks still voting for her. Its embarrasing for Coons to even be debating her
I don't know what's worse: O'Donnell's ignorance or arrogance.
Funny how many of these "constitutionalists" don't actually KNOW much about the constitution. Its not fortunate that our representatives in government don't have to memorize the constitution.. its a goddamned SHAME that they don't.
Can we please have a new rule that everyone running for office has to memorize the Constitution? Seriously, it's kind of important for our elected officials to know what's in there, and it's not like it's very long. The worst part about this article is apparently neither of the candidates for the Senate from Delaware know what's in the document that forms the foundation of our system of government. Unreal.
The Seperation of church and state is nowhere in the constitution. Both Coons and the liberal media are fools.
I have the same problem with the Tea Partiers in my neighborhood (of which there are many). They claim to be strict Constitutionalists, yet they have no idea that the Constitution calls for a census, they don't believe me when I tell them that the Constitution never once mentions God, they love the 2nd amendment and don't believe that Congress can place any limitations on it, but they think the 14th amendment could be repealed by a simple vote of Congress. Still, they love to wave their little printed copies of the Constitution around as if this act somehow educates them on what's inside.
I am sorry. Regardless of what people personally believe in terms of Government, can we all agree that it is a good idea for our elected officials to at least have SOME understanding of the constitution they are sworn to defend. Why are we playing to lowest common denominator, we should be playing to the best.
This woman is Sarah Palin's twin sister, Sarah is the mean dumb one and Christine is the nice dumb one!
She's not getting away with her claim that she's right because the phrase 'separation of church and state' does not appear in the Constitution. That provision of the First Amendment is universally know as the SOCAS. That's post-facto Clintonian word wringing. She was clearly stating that she didn't believe the concept was in the Constitution but was created in the courts. Wrong.
I also wonder how her Tea Party cronies feel about the fact that she was completely unfamiliar with two of their main proposals....? It's telling that her preparation for this debate did not lead her the believe someone might ask about them. And childish a la Palin to say 'senators don't have to memorize the Constitution'. Just childish.
ignorant is no longer to be used on the odone witch..........completely oblivious and, well, witchy...........voters remorse in VA, MASS, NJ which will come back to haunt those voters.......it is being said that the blimp in NJ is the republiCONServatives rising star......actually, it is more like a falling boulder.
Good lord the only thing more dangerously stupid than this woman are the no nothing yahoos who support her position.
I hope the people who helped her win the party nomination are reading this. OR they simply don't care. OR they can't read at all.
oh my... i'm with megan mccain. it is terrifying to think that a woman so woefully unprepared/uneducated could become a senator and make decisions about the future of our country. can anyone say: in over her head? dear God help us.
Tea party people have no idea what the Constitution is. What a joke the tea party has become. They may win a few seats if enough ignorant voters vote for them. The tea party will never be allowed to lead our country. There are just too many in this country that will vote against them.
SCARY. JUST SCARY. These people would rather cut off their noses to spike their faces. In other words, they will vote for people like her no matter how unprepared, unqualified, and silly she REALLY is. And I feel for her because she does not realize that she is being played by forces more powerful and WILL be calling for FAVORS if she (GOD forbids) is elected. What gets me is that these same people questioned, and still questions President Obama statehood, religion, etc. But accepts every nut case that the TEA PARONOIDS back. SCARY and sad
Not surprising. She's just one of the Tea Party Reality Show Contestants along for the ride. Well, at least she didn't do what Angle did and call it a "commandment".
Ow, my jaw just hit the ground. How in the world does anybody support these nutjobs?
Oh all that ignorance she displays just makes her more folksy to me! If she was smart she's be one of them elitist Liberals! I like my women dumb and hot. Why the heck else do you think I support Palin and O'Donnell??!
If you're going to debate at a law school, you may want to review the constitution (if you don't already know it).
This is embarrassing.
This is just unbelievable! There should be a law, prohibiting such uneducated people like Ms O’Donnell to be a candidate. It shows that the people screaming about “The Constitution” have not the faintest idea what they are talking about. And that is not the only important thing that will influence your live they do know nothing about.
By the way, what did the GOP(TP) do positive for you in the last 10 years? Well…besides running up the biggest deficit ever in wars based on lies where people died, and leaving the country on the brink – they did fool you now often enough, don’t you think? Please, people, go out and vote! But, do vote in your interest, informed, responsible, and smart! Please!!!!
WHOA ... this lady is really, really out there! Uneducated, constitutional illiterate for one wanting to be a US Senator and arrogant in her ignorance. Time for this "mamma grizzly" to pack up and go back into the woods.
O'Donnell and her supporters want an America where the Bible replaces the Constitution.
I love America but people like her just embarrass me to be one.
Thomas Jefferson, 1801:
"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State."
Doesn't get any clearer than that. Jefferson (a) quoted the 1st Amendment and (b) stated that the quoted language was meant to create a "wall of separation between church and state." Arguing otherwise is futile and borderline retarded...after all, he and Madison are the founding fathers responsible for the Constitution, so their explicit expressions of their intent and interpretations constitute 100% proof of what the language in the Constitution was intended to mean. This is why the TX Board of Education has decreed that Jefferson and Madison will be marginalized and downplayed in their history text books, so they can indoctrinate their school children into believing that it's open to intepretation. It isn't. It's already been interpreted...by the guys who wrote it.
Yes, demonstration of what a "Constitutional Conservative" truly is– someone ignorant of the thing they allegedly espouse.
While literacy tests for voters have been abused in the past and should never be implemented again, I think that Christine O'Donnell amply demonstrates why there probably should be one for our elected officials. She is clear evidence that Tea Party supporters have no interest in what the US Constitution actually says, and want to overturn establish amendments to the Constitution (which have a very high bar to pass). It seems like the more ignorant the candidate is, the greater their support for the Tea Party movement . . . ignorance is bliss!
Tea Party people don't know what's in the Constitution?
I am shocked!!
No, wait, what is this I'm feeling?
Ahh, totally not surprised.
Constitutional Ignorance? From Coons?
"Congress shall make no law respecting AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITIN THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. "
In other word; there must be no single religion respected/elevated above the others, and there must be no religion demeaned/ranked lower than the rest.
There must be a distance, a separation if you will, between the two.
Well...finally this would be the Tea Party choice for 2010. Ms. Palin will be their presidential candidate...and Ms. O'donnel will be her running mate.......What a joke
And people of alleged intelligence are voting for this woman to represent them in congress?
How unsurprising – Ms. O'Donnell doesn't know or understand the Constitution. Palin lite!
There are no words except "are you smarter than a 5th grader?" So she's not even sure of the things the Tea Party supports, but the Tea Party supports her???? The tea party seems to want to do away with the constittional amendments. I really don't understand them. And as an open minded person, it is hard to tell what they really want.
A social conservative unfamiliar with separation of church and state? Say it aint so!
I've always been a believer that the people get the government we deserve. Contrary to a lot of politicians (of BOTH parties), our government is us. If we can't make hard decisions (like: we want social services but we also want tax cuts) than we get politicians who waffle on that issue and deficit spend. Thus, it really saddens me that someone like O'Donnell would actually be a serious candidate (well, okay, a candidate with major money and the support of a serious party) for the US Senate. If she comes within 20 points of winning (let alone if she does better) it will be a very sad indictment of the US public (and no, not just Delaware although those are the voters who get a direct say in this matter). Tea Party members out to be ashamed–not embarassed–but truly ashamed that someone is running with their support and endorsement. Regardless of what your political stance is, what policies you think are best or worst for this country, having someone like this run who doesn't know critical information and then takes dogmatic positions despite that ignorance–it's appalling. It's one thing to not know something–there's a lot I don't know. But I try not to be dogmatic and hold firm conclusions in the areas I know I'm uninformed about. But when someone like O'Donnell takes strong, hard positions about the courts, the constitution, our government and even runs for election (not just this once, but many times), it is shameful that she's a final nominee for any part, let alone that it would be a race she has a chance in.
Okay, bimbo, what is it you don't understand about "Congress WILL MAKE NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion," I guess she just doesn't understand about NO! So what religion does she want in Govt? Christian, Judism, Islam, Budda, To each his own in their own place of worship, not in the government. Boy would that create another religious war, americans killin' americans because of religion, Nope, won't happen will it???????
Anyone surprised she is that dumb?
talk about looney tunes.
W, w, w, wow! I may not always agree with my party but I at least demand that they be somewhat grounded in reality and have at least a 6th grade understanding of our constitution. Please stop requiring our high school students to take a secondary language class and require an knowing the constitution class instead. That should weed out the O'Donnell's of the world. This is like Sarah Palin all over. My ideals run down the middle. If you want me to turn right you better turn left and meet me half way.
O'Donnell is absolutely right. There is no seperation of church and state in the US Consitution . It's the biggest Constitutional myth that there is. And this misquotes Coons' response. Coons uses the term "seperation" in his reply, which makes O'Donnell's response logical.