NEW! Jesus Christ News on Facebook. Follow on Twitter
On August 15, 2011, Christine O’Donnell, the former senatorial candidate and Tea Party favorite, sat for an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. The topic of conversation was her new book “Troublemaker” in which she discusses her love for Jesus Christ, her words regarding witches and witchcraft and her strong conservative political views. On August 16, 2011, O’Donnell sat for another interview, this one was with CNN’s Piers Morgan, where presumably, the topics of conversation would be similar to that of her previous interview. It wasn’t so. After being asked her views on gay marriage and witchcraft, Morgan accused the former Delaware Republican candidate of being “weird” by her lack of response. The comments noticeably upset O’Donnell who fired back at Morgan that she wasn’t being weird but rather he was being rude. She then walked off the set.
Morgan was referring to Christine O’Donnell’s past interviews and appearances on the ”Politically Incorrect” show that came back to haunt her during her 2010 run for the Senate. The series was hosted by Bill Maher from 1993-2002 and originally aired on the Comedy Central before moving to ABC. HBO now airs Maher’s new program, “Real Time with Bill Maher.” During the 90’s, O’Donnell was a frequent panel guest on Maher’s program as she would regularly contribute a conservative, Christian viewpoint to many of the topics discussed. Maher who describes himself as an “apatheist,” ( a pragmatic atheist) , would bring up highly debatable issues that would get the panel engaged in fiery debates. To many, O’Donnell’s replies were conservative at best, and strangely foreign at worst. When O’Donnell announced her run for the 2010 U.S. Senate Race, Maher threatened to reach into his treasure trove of strange responses given by O’Donnell on a plethora of issues ranging from abortion and masturbation to witchcraft to help ensure she wouldn’t be elected. Some might argue he succeeded. One video he released of the candidate who was raised Catholic, yet confessed her faith in Jesus Christ and became a born again Christian, on the topic of witchcraft set off a viral firestorm that made O’Donnell look out of touch with the average voter.
In an unaired episode of “Politically Incorrect” with Bill Maher on October 29, 1999 (clearly a Halloween themed episode, see videos to the left); O’Donnell stated on the program, “I dabbled into witchcraft—I never joined a coven. But I did, I did. I dabbled into witchcraft. I hung around people who were doing these things. I'm not making this stuff up. I know what they told me they do. “
Continuing with the discussion, O’Donnell expounded, “One of my first dates with a witch was on a satanic altar, and I didn't know it. I mean, there's little blood there and stuff like that. We went to a movie and then had a midnight picnic on a satanic altar."
Christine O’Donnell seemed out of touch with the “Joe Schmo” citizens of Delaware before the videos aired, but her “midnight picnics on satanic altars” sent her numbers plummeting. Of course the comments and videos spread like wildfire and every major news media outlet, daytime show and late night talk show hosts began their attack on O’Donnell’s witch comments. Saturday Night Live, which may have been instrumental in ending Sarah Palin’s dreams of the vice presidency, thanks to Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Amy Poehler, jumped aboard the O’Donnell witch broomstick and began their own skits with Kristen Wiig playing the lead role, parodying a video response O’Donnell made in which she declared she wasn’t a witch. To many, her response was stranger than the original comments.
In the book, O’Donnell expresses some sadness regarding Maher’s assault. She writes, “This nothing comment about a guy I'd known back in high school [who believed in the occult] had set in motion what was starting to feel like a modern-day witch hunt—with me cast as . . . well, as the witch.
O’Donnell continued, “I was stunned. More than that I was hurt, because it felt like a betrayal . . . I'd thought we were friends."
During the interview with Piers Morgan, O’Donnell said she didn’t want to speak to about witchcraft and gay marriage. Morgan continued to push the topics, citing they were in her book which she was there to promote. O’Donnell said she wasn’t running for office and she wasn’t there to push any legislative issues , but rather to talk about Tea Party principles and policies. Speaking to Morgan she stated, “That's why I agreed to come on your show. That's what I want to talk about.”
Before walking off, O’Donnell said, “I was supposed to be speaking at the Republican Women's Club at 6, and I chose to be a little late for that. Not to endure a rude talk show host, but to talk to you about my book and the issues I address in my book."
As O’Donnell removed her microphone and ended the interview, Piers Morgan held up the book and said, “Anyway, it’s a good book. It’s called “Troublemaker” and I think we now know why it’s called “Troublemaker,” it’s by Christine O’Donnell, available in all good book shops.”
Check out the links below and videos in the player to the left.
Important Links
ABC Good Morning America posts Excerpt from Christine O’Donnell book “Troublemaker”
Christine O’Donnell Videos: (these and more videos in player to the left)
Christine O’Donnell ad: I am not a witch
Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Life (SNL) Witch Ad Parody
YouTube User Created Parody of Christine O’Donnell, Wizard of Oz ad
Bill Maher challenges, threatens Christine O’Donnell with video vault
Countdown with Keith Olbermann on Christine O’Donnell’s New Book
Comments