Christine O’Donnell’s claims vs. the facts: Join the live chat
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What you might not know about the Tea Party sensation of the moment, Delaware's GOP Senatorial nominee Christine O'Donnell. She’s trailing her opponent badly in a poll out today, but crushing him in the money race, claiming close to a million dollars in contributions in the last 24 hours alone. But as the money flows in, we’re also learning more about how she spent some of the money left over from her former campaign as well as inconsistencies between some of her statements and the facts. Keeping them honest, we’ll be checking the rhetoric against reality.
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
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nothing says autumn like the smell of politics in the air ... good coverage of this topic – will be following this – quite interesting
so i guess that make it right for her
But Janis Hewitt, is it change if a person who enters the arena is fraught with credibility problems of her own?
Shouldn't the tea party simply be a third party within the American political system ?
Good point bloggers,
I think that Christine O'Donnell will not win on November.....
To some people O'Donnell's spending may be small. Realize that 19 dollars today will end up being 19 MILLION tomorrow as an elected official...and at the taxpayers expense!! We have large level financial abuse today BECAUSE we don't pay attention to situations such as this!
Are you kidding these are serious allegations, but her election is a sad sign of where we are in America today.
The tea party is aghast with Washington's spending yet O'Donnell left a paper trail that would shame anyone and hasn't had a job since 2004.
This is what the tea party has to offer? Just askin'.
How can one take the advice of a runner, who stop running in the middle of the race?
If O'Donnell is was passes for honor and integrity, lead me to the exchange counter.
As a 44-year resident of Delaware, I took my last opportunity to vote as a Republican in the last primary. (My party affiliation changed today.) I voted for Christine O'Donnell in order to remove Mike Castle from the race, as I think he's had his career and needs to retire. I have faith in the sensible citizens of Delaware to elect a better candidate than O'Donnell. I wonder how may other people voted the ame way I did, for the same reason.
Usually you have to get elected first before you become a criminal. It looks like this lady has a big head start on that. As for telling lies, that come the day you decide to enter politics.
one more interesting comment made. She just got her college degree because she just needed a course. Unless she had been attending for months that does not make sense. If you have been out of college for awhile and go back to college you will most likely find that the curriculum has chnged so much you will need many more credits- my experience. Wait till that shoe falls
Christy, it's because if you look at their agenda, there is none. They are a one-issue party and it's no wonder so many of them only go on Fox News.
I am old enough to be sure of my evaluation of this young lady who I believe needs to grow up first before she takes on government and the decisions that go with it, not to mention the politics associated with it. She sure needs to first understand what being responsible means!! We have enough trouble with our older generation and politicians with being responsible we sure do not need a beginner who already displays all of it. No matter what her party is ~~~!!!!!!!!
it goes to show the more desperate ppl get they will fall for anything, tea party..organization.. whatever they call themselves are iven too much credit by the media.
I simply can't believe that somehow this women is a candidate for senate. She's a is a liar, a thief and a cheat. This is amazing... how stupid can the public be....When will the American people wake up!!!
Yes, don't assume but do get all the facts.
O'Donnell should be put in prison if she misused any money for rents, gas and etc.
It's better to be called a RINO than a WHINER.
Keep raising money for her. I heard she needs a Lexus. If you go for gas and mileage, you should at least have a car.
What is the US coming to when we want someone in office who is just like us. I don't know about the rest of America but I tend to want the most intelligent, insightful, creative person not the average person
I agree that these issues on ODonnell are concerning, but what about Geithner, Secretary of Treasury, not paying $35,000 of personal income taxes? Lots of people in the Obama administration are much more questionable than this. Just keeping you honest. Must be fair on both sides.
Have Americans become so dumbed down that they can't tell Sara Palin's and Christine's O'Donnell's bullcrap from intelligent debate? Both of them never let the facts get in the way of their dribble. I am sadder for the fools who believe them than for the fools who promote them.
I worked on her 2008 campaign. I know some of those post-election checks for mileage were reimbursements, and she did start campaigning for the '10 election as soon as the '08 election ended. Lunch "meeting" at Ruby Tuesday's, however...
How can anyone trust a woman to bring down spending in Washington, and get rid of debt, when O'Donnell can't even help herself from spending her campaign money on personal items while in debt.
Why is that I hear most people, Dems and GOP alike, stating that O'Donnell's Primary victory was a sign the people of Delaware want change in Washington, as a negative reflection towards Democrats, when it's a nine-term Republican she unseated. It appears to me Delawarians are more dissatisfied with those within their own party and how they've been represented by sitting Republicans
Re: C. O'Donnell Plain and simple... what's wrong is wrong... no matter who you are or when it happened. Making excuses puts you in the same boat as her!
o'donnel isn't any diffrent from any other candidate that runs for office. if there are questions about "money issues" then she has a duty to the american people to answer them! if we can't trust you now, how can we trust you in office???
I feel that the hipocracy of O'Donnells candidacy is definately an issue worthy of press, especially since the republicans exposed her the most. I would hope that this type of Tea Party candidate would drive democrates to the polls for fear that people like O'Donnell should end up in office.
P.S. Jesus acted like a democrate standing up for the little people not the rich!
It is clear without a doubt that O'Donnell is not ready for any political office, and especially not national office. The Republicans must be embarrassed to have such an unqualified candidate to represent them. O'Donnell is a gift to the Democrats. She has the backing an enthusiastic group that is blinded by passion and ideology, but SHE IS THE WRONG CANDIDATE. Is this the way the country is headed? Frightening!
I agree with the comments made by Mr Roland Martins and David Gergen. about O Donnell issues. If the Tea Party is running on integrity, credibility, and big spending by they are ready to close their eyes on her, just proves one more time that the Tea Party is very hypocritical.
There's a perception that tea-partiers shoot from the hip out of emotion and their arguments, albeit some very valid ones, can't hold water because they're just not adept at communicating to all sides of the public.
Hi Anderson,
If ODonnell is the future of American politics, then god help us all. Its scary how much she looks like Palin!!
The quality of leaders being elected by the tea party supporters shows the quality of people in this movement.I will not buy a used car from these folks, leave alone electing them to the Senate. I hope and pray for the collective sanity of reasonable people to prevail on Nov.2, otherwise this country will be in a heap of trouble.
I guess the scary part for her opponents is that she can raise a million dollarse! People want change.
I agree, starr...Rangel is up for 'review' and scrutiny already. And the voters can make their choice there. But this gal, entering the competition, has to be equally up for scrutiny.
If she should win how quickley do you think it will take her to fall into the hands of big business? How can she be trusted?
Gergen is right on this. She may very well cost the Republicans the Senate and that is disappointing.
Isn't an "ethics committee" in Washington, DC,(investigating O'Donnell) an oxymoron?
Why vote for adishonest person? One can't believe what they aay. It is as simple as that.
The gentleman's comparison to Biden makes no sense. Yes Biden makes mistakes and yes he is criticized and yes he got invited.
The comparison should be she also should be criticized and then see if she gets elected.
These people can dish it out but just can not take it
Wow, what a way to step into the political ring! O'Donnell, has blackballed herself. I truly doubt the Tea party will back away from her.
Good evening all.
This is my take on the tea party candidates. They are not qualified to run for the offices they are winning primaries for.
They are far right wing wingnuts. Christine O'Donnell is obviously dishonest and "she is going to clean up Washington". Pallidino is mailing "garbage scented" flyers to republicans in NY. Why would sane people vote for these candidates.
I think it is a big deal that O'Donnell wasn't truthful about her spending and past college credentials. It seems the people of Delaware are willing to over look these issues to send a message. I know I had stupid ideas in my 20's. She should answer the questions and then we should move on with the issues that are important to the voters.
David Gergen is correct again!
I think its an important issue when it comes to following the way campaign dollars are being spent with all candidates.
At this point, I am not considering Rep/Dem influences. I want to be represented by honest people who can make good decisions.
I live in Delaware and I assure you that most of us paid no attention to her past . this will change now she has charecter flaws that are not acceptable. Know that she is running to represent DE not the republicans this will change.
Quit making her the underdog this hurts the Democrats chances. If she does win will she really be a republican loyalist since they seem to be slighting her??
O'Donnell needs to stop using campaign money for her personal needs, because the U.S. is already in millions of dollars in debt!
If o'donnell is a crook with small amounts it's only because she has not yet had a chance at the big money. She has shown herself as a crook already, what other proof is necessary to prove that she is not fit for public office.
Ari is right! They should all be checked! However, they only check Republicans and Tea Party candidates in the media.