Christine O’Donnell says masturbation, not gay marriage led to CNN walk off
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On August 19, 2011, Tea Party favorite Christine O’Donnell appeared on NBC’s “Today” to discuss the recent altercation that transpired during an interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan. O’Donnell, who appeared on the program to discuss her new book “Trouble Maker,” walked off the show after a series of questions asked by Morgan. It appeared she became agitated when Morgan asked for her views on gay marriage. But during O’Donnell’s NBC interview she clarified her reasoning for walking off the show.
The walk off was so stunning, Piers Morgan opened his show by stating, “Tonight, an absolutely extraordinary moment. Christine O'Donnell, one time Tea Party darling, walks out of my studio rather than answer what I thought were fairly straightforward questions.”
Morgan played a video from O’Donnell’s statements made on the MTV special “Sex in the 90s.” O’Donnell stated, “We need to address sexuality with young people. And masturbation is part of sexuality, but it is important to discuss this from a moral point of view. The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery, so you can't masturbate without lust.
“The reason you don't tell them masturbation is the answer to AIDS and all these other problems that come with sex outside of marriage is because, again, it is not addressing the issue.”
After the clip aired, Morgan asked, “I'm about to ask you a question I don't ask most of my guests, I have to be honest with you. Do you still think masturbation is wrong?”
O’Donnell replied, “Let’s not even go there.”
Morgan continued, “Why? You went there?”
Christine O’Donnell then explained her comments on the program, “Well, again, like I said, I address it in the book. At that time in my life, my goal was to reach out to young people and there was a show "Sex in the '90s" on MTV where it pretty touted the philosophy that anything goes. And, you know, there's no doubt I don't think anyone would disagree that there's a little bit of a crisis when it comes to whether it's AIDS or sexually transmitted disease or teenage pregnancies.
“So, my goal at the time was to reach out to young people and try to present a view of sexuality that they weren't getting. And again I go into detail about where I was at that time in my life and why I chose to go on that show and do that interview.”
Clearly becoming agitated with the line of questioning, O’Donnell continued to defend her statements from the 90s show as Morgan repeatedly pushed the issue.
“I get all that. I mean, your view on sex and stuff are relevant if you’re going to be a politician,” Morgan stated.
Christine O’Donnell disagreed, “Well, they're not because there aren't laws outlawing sex. And if there are, they should be on the local level, as I make the case for local control as opposed to federal control.”
Morgan then asked if Christine O’Donnell’s views have ‘evolved’ over the years.
She answered, “Well, I am a practicing Catholic and I support what the Catholic Church teaches. But, you know, would I as a -- I was about to say my age, but as an older woman, go on that show again, no. I wouldn't go on that show again and nor would I choose to do an interview about that subject again.
“Again, it was a different time in my life. I was -- I was excited and passionate about this new belief that I had, this new faith that I found. I was eager to share it with my peers.”
Morgan then asked, “Are you still a supporter of total abstinence, even if you are on your own?”
O’Donnell quipped, “Are you the pro-masturbation talk show host?”
It was clear that Morgan wouldn’t let the line of questioning go. After the laughter died down following O’Donnell’s remark, Morgan answered, “Yes, why not? Yes.”
The mood appeared light and O’Donnell replied, “Good for you for taking that stand. You know, right now-“
Morgan interrupted, “If the option is to be the anti, I think I’d be in the pro department, yes.
Christine then tried to bring the topic of conversation to her book.
“Well, what I'm going to do and what my goal is now is to fight for the freedom of speech in America that allows to you say that. I mean, that's what's my focus right now is to fight for the constitutional principles that made our country great because we do have a movement in Washington that is completely abandoning it.”
Piers Morgan responded by saying, “Can I ask you, have you -- have you committed lust in your heart and therefore adultery?”
O’Donnell replied, “Let's not even go there. Let's get the conversation back to the book. That's why I'm here.”
It was after this exchange that Morgan then asked her about gay marriage. Morgan asked, “Yes. But this is -- to me, it's a natural extension to ask you, for example, a very relevant question of any politician. For example –“
O’Donnell replied, “I address it all in the book.”
Again, Morgan repeated, “What is your view of gay marriage?”
Again, O’Donnell repeated, “I address it all in the book.”
The conversation continued to the point of the video exchange that has been repeatedly played across media streams.
What do you think? Was Morgan wrong to continually question O’Donnell regarding masturbation and then gay marriage? Or do you think O’Donnell was skirting heavy issues?
Check out the video player to the left where Christine O’Donnell explains her side of the interview, even calling Morgan’s line of questioning creepy and bordering sexual harassment in the video player to the left.
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