Bizarre, Congress, Constitutional Law, Media, Politics, Society

Bewitched: O’Donnell on the Constitution

Now this is my type of debate. An alleged “bearded Marxist” debating an alleged “former witch” about the 17th amendment. You can imagine me wolfing down popcorn in feverish excitement while watching the debate of Delaware Republican Senate Candidate Christine O’Donnell and Democratic opponent Chris Coons.


O’Donnell was ridiculed for her apparent lack of knowledge of the Constitution last night. Now, hold on to your chair, I am about to defend . . . partially.

The first exchange to produce laughs was when she asked Coons “Where in the Constitution is the separation of church and state?”

That particular question does not necessary show a lack of understanding of the Constitution. Many conservative activists have argued that the Constitution was never intended to create a “wall of separation” between Church and State. Indeed, the language of a “wall of separation” is not in the Constitution. It came from Thomas Jefferson’s famous letter to the committee of the Danbury Baptist Association that reads:

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only and not opinions, 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. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

O’Donnell may have been thinking of the “wall” debate in asking Coons, “The First Amendment does? . . . Let me just clarify: You’re telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the First Amendment?”

Coons correctly responds with a reference to the establishment clause: “Government shall make no establishment of religion.”
O’Donnell then asks “That’s in the First Amendment…?” Yup.

Coons also correct to again ask O’Donnell about her views on evolution after she appeared to question the separation of church and state. If there is no such separation in her view, it magnifies the importance of her purported view that evolutionary theories are invalid. I have previously written a column about the right of the media to press candidates on their faith when they run in part on faith-based politics.

O’Donnell clearly had trouble on the other amendments. She was asked if she would repeal the 14th, 16th, or 17th Amendments if elected.

“The 17th Amendment I would not repeal” but then asked a person in the audience to explain what the 14th and 16th amendments were, adding “I’m sorry, I didn’t bring my Constitution with me.” I can certainly understand not recalling that the 16th amendment deals with the apportionment of taxes — not exactly a hot button amendment for most people. I can even understand gapping on the 17th on the direct election of Senators. But the 14th is a . . . well . . . a biggy after the whole Civil War thing.

The gap on the 14th was particularly embarrassing after O’Donnell accused Coons of constitutional ignorance by remarking “perhaps they didn’t teach you Constitutional law at Yale Divinity School.”

Now, I want to emphasize that O’Donnell is not expressing hostility to Yale Divinity School because she is a witch. She denies she is a witch. I am still a bit unsure why going to Yale Divinity School is a put down. I would think you would want a suspected bearded Marxist to go to divinity school, particularly after you just criticized him for attacking churches in the same debate. One thing is clear. The Delaware election should never end. For constitutional scholars, this is the best reality show on TV.

Source: CBS

Jonathan Turley

416 thoughts on “Bewitched: O’Donnell on the Constitution”

  1. I would not go to lunch with Vitter, he is beneath contempt. You cheat on your wife or significant other and you will cheat anyone anywhere. The repubs should have censured him and the people of La. should throw his ass out.

    SM:

    what kind of puppy is she? A big old junk yard dog or a little fufu dog? You know us country folk like our ole hound dogs named Old Bleu or Skeeter.

  2. Bdaman
    1, October 26, 2010 at 6:00 pm
    She’s wearing a wig a hooded jacket and lunges at a public figure.

    What do you think would of happened to her if it was someone of real importance like say the president. You can clearly here a call for police at least five times. You normally don’t do that unless someone has done something wrong.

    ==========================================================
    Paul was still in his car as it had just pulled up. Other witnesses have confirmed that she wasn’t close to him until she was on the ground.

    The call for police is coming from her friend … that was identified earlier … the guys who got the foot man to stop were Paul supporters … showing they aren’t all bully-boys.

    Remember the teabagger that was caught on film yelling at the cripple and throwing money at him … pictures are worth a thousand words and this County Coordinator got caught in one big picture! His words aren’t going to count for much especially since it took him so long to come forward.

    Paul will lose a few votes because of it but SwM is right, not enough to make a difference.

  3. Blouise: In my opinion, many of the people attracted to tea party candidates like Rand Paul are angry people with violent natures.

  5. Swarthmore mom
    1, October 26, 2010 at 5:33 pm
    Blouise I posted that too, but Paul is way ahead in Kentucky. It is not a good state for a democrat at all. I wonder what a campaign like Paul’s would have to do to lose.

    ============================================================

    If he’s so far ahead why are his supporters resorting to such violence?

    I know you’re right… exhibit #1 – Mitch McConnell

  6. She’s wearing a wig a hooded jacket and lunges at a public figure.

    What do you think would of happened to her if it was someone of real importance like say the president. You can clearly here a call for police at least five times. You normally don’t do that unless someone has done something wrong.

  7. bdaman,

    You wrote: As Anon Nurse stated Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword.

    A clear case of misattribution. I was quoting you — refer to the Wikileaks thread.

    It’s not something that I would say — I’m a “Love, love is the answer” kind of gal. 🙂

    Blouise,

    Very clever. Another laugh.

  10. SwM,

    I had a really good day out campaigning for my State guy … people were very welcoming and happy to talk politics. I ate a lot of cookies and drank a lot of tea at a lot of different houses. (My job is to “personalize” my candidate.)

  11. come on Bdaman … there’s a big difference … she was tackled by two men, thrown to the ground and held there while a third man then started to step on her head and then her neck … he was getting ready to do it again but stopped when people started yelling at him … I saw the video.

    Now they’re talking premeditation by Paul supporters:

    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/kentucky-stomping-victim-says-assailants-recognized-her-premeditated-attack.php?ref=fpa

    Any way you look at it, this plays badly for Paul

  12. Bloise I just read it. I don’t know. I don’t have a lot of tolerance for republicans right now as you might have noticed. I do think Byron is a good family man though, but I wouldn’t think of him that way if he went to lunch with diaper man Vitter.

  13. Here’s the other side Swathmore Mom and yes she shouldn’t have had a boot to the head but she was there to provoke. As Anon Nurse stated Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword.

    MoveOn.org contract employee Lauren Valle stalked and lunged at Rand Paul outside the final debate last night. Valle, from Falmouth, Massachusetts, was tackled and stepped on by Paul supporters.

    Lauren was booked in May on felony charges.

    Luaren Valle was charged with the felony charges of Unauthorized Entry of a Critical Infrastructure and Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling in May.

    Lauren vandalized a ship in May.

    Harbor police talk to Greenpeace activists Scott Cardiff (R) and Lauren Valle (L) who are hanging from the bridge painting with their messages on the ship Harvey Explorer at an industrial port at Port Fourchon, Louisiana, May 24, 2010. The activists used oil from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico spill to paint the message “Arctic Next?” on the bridge of the ship, which is scheduled to depart for Alaska to support drilling operations in July. (REUTERS/Greenpeace)

  14. Byron,

    Ok … one vote yes from Elaine, one vote hell, no from me, one vote we’ll represent you from anon, and no word from SwM … that’s liberals for you … 🙂

  15. Blouise I posted that too, but Paul is way ahead in Kentucky. It is not a good state for a democrat at all. I wonder what a campaign like Paul’s would have to do to lose.

  17. Swarthmore mom
    1, October 26, 2010 at 5:13 pm
    Blouise Bdaman is talking about voter fraud so much I have to wonder if their polling is showing their victory might not be as large as they anticipated. Maybe, they beat up too many people. Oh well, they can blame it on voter fraud. The New Black Panthers stole the election.

    ===========================================================

    On an earlier thread I agreed with Mike S that I don’t think they’re going to win back the House and certainly not the Senate. I know the Teabaggers make good press for the media but that’s all they are … media bunnies.

    Did anyone see that video of a Paul supporter stepping on the head and neck of a young woman … they wrestled her to the ground and then he started stepping on the back of her head and neck. The police are looking for him and the two guys who wrestled her to the ground. I think the guy who stepped on her head has been identified as a “County Coordinator”. Go to TPM and you’ll find the whole story.

  18. As for me, Byron, I’d welcome you to join us for lunch. I know you’d eventually succumb to our feminine wit, wisdom, charm, and winning ways.

    😉

  19. Swarthmore mom:

    You wrote: anon nurse When I read that I thought, not really, if you have enough money you can avoid punishment. My puppy was spayed today. I wish I had a nurse to take care of her. I have to go pick her up soon.

    Re: When I read that I thought, not really, if you have enough money you can avoid punishment.

    I’ll have to read the comments again. What am I missing?

    Regarding your puppy, if you could beam me there, I’d love to help. I hope she’s all right — I’m guessing that you’ll “love her up”, which is such good medicine…

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