September 20, 2010 10:31 AM

Pence, Rove Say Christine O'Donnell Should Explain "Witchcraft" Comments

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Campaign 2010
Christine O'Donnell (Credit: Getty Images/Mark Wilson)

Delaware's Republican Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell has an "obligation" to explain her past remarks that she "dabbled into witchcraft," Republican Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.) said this morning.

However, Pence dismissed the attention O'Donnell has received for her decade-old comments as "typical nitpicking." O'Donnell's campaign, along with that of other Tea Party-backed candidates, is "less about the messenger [and] more about the message," he said on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"What is bringing everyday Americans into the street, out to Tea Party rallies and town hall meetings is the realization that our government has run off the rails," Pence said. "The American people recognize they've got to take back the reins of our government."

Republican strategist Karl Rove also said Sunday that O'Donnell should explain the remarks, which liberal pundit Bill Maher dug up and aired Friday on his show "Real Time."

"In southern Delaware, where there are a lot of church-going people, they're probably going to want to know what was that all about," Rove said on "Fox News Sunday."

So far, O'Donnell has brushed off the remarks, as well as Rove's criticism, joking on Twitter, "I did comment that if I were a witch, Rove would be a supporter. I would have turned him into a 'Newt', because Gingrich says we win."

CBS News political analyst John Dickerson said on "The Early Show" that however old O'Donnell's past remarks are, they are still a distraction and "a barrier between her and trying to tell voters what she actually believes."

"In Delaware, a blue state, she's going to have to convince independent voters outside of the Tea Party group that has already elected her, and so this is going to give them some questions about her," he said.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, an early ally of O'Donnell, urged the Delaware candidate via Twitter, "connect w/ local voters whom you'll be serving versus appeasing national media seeking ur destruction."

Dickerson said that the "victim card" is "a bit of a time-honored technique and it works with your supporters, who are apt to believe what you say." However, he added, "If you're trying to get to voters in the middle or independents... they're not going to take it at face value that you are a victim and rally to your side."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010
Gallery: Controversial Statements by O'Donnell and Other Tea Party Candidates


Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.


Add a Comment See all 119 Comments
by immortalmort September 22, 2010 5:41 AM EDT
This is for all the Pences, Roves and Mahars of the world. What the hell does whether or not Ms. O'donnell still is into Witch craft have to do with her running for office? Last time I checked no Witch has ever caused any Crusades, flown any aircraft into any buildings, or tried in any way to force other people to join their religions. Witches do not have sharia bull-**** laws. They don't have stupid notions about what should be done to women who allegedly commit adultery, while the pig males just have to kill a couple of birds and throw them on an alter. And we generally frown upon anyone screwing around with children. When all the so-called main line religions get their acts together, then they can criticize other faiths. As a very wise individual once said, 'Let the one without sin cast the first stone.' (I don't quote rapists or terrorists, so you won't see any Moses, or Mohammed quotes here.)
Peace, Namaste and Many Blessings.
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by stuwerb September 21, 2010 8:29 AM EDT
I think I understand the witchcraft thing now -- it must tie into the whole "voodoo economics" concept, i.e., offering tax cuts to the rich to stimulate the economy, i.e., "trickle down economics". It's the same thing George Bush I attacked Reagan over.
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by RobAla September 20, 2010 10:59 PM EDT
documemts: Oh I remember him being investigated by politicians, and he never stood before a judge like you or I would have. I remember the Kennedy getting that girl buried in a hurry. I later read an article about the autopsy on Mary Jo, and that she had no water in her lungs. They found her face in a pocket of air in the floorboard of Kennedy's car. She suffocated waiting for him to get her out. Instead, he (an avid swimmer) left in 7 feet of water - to die. He walked passed a farm house with a light on, and never notified anyone until after he heard it reported on the news. How could the people of Mass send this guy to the Senate. I remember it well.
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by RobAla September 20, 2010 10:19 PM EDT
Why didn't they call on Senator Ted Kennedy to explain his drunk driving and for leaving a girl to die, while looking out for his political career? Why didn't they call on Senator Byrd to explain his membership in the KKK? Both of these men showed far worse judgment at an age which was much older than a teenage girl dabbling in witchcraft. Yet, the media allowed their sins to blow over, and both were elected US Senators.

The media picks and chooses what it wants to focus on.
Reply to this comment
by documemts September 20, 2010 10:41 PM EDT
You must not have been there. There WAS an investigation into Kennedys' behavior after the car accident. Remember RobAla...Freedom is Slavery.
by RobAla September 20, 2010 10:56 PM EDT
documemts: Oh I remember him being investigated by politicians, and he never stood before a judge like you or I would have. I remember the Kennedy getting that girl buried in a hurry. I later read an article about the autopsy on Mary Jo, and that she had no water in her lungs. They found her face in a pocket of air in the floorboard of Kennedy's car. She suffocated waiting for him to get her out. Instead, he (an avid swimmer) left in 7 feet of water - to die. He walked passed a farm house with a light on, and never notified anyone until after he heard it reported on the news. How could the people of Mass send this guy to the Senate. I remember it well.
by bennyblack1 September 20, 2010 7:09 PM EDT
And, uh, I really wish you twitters had something constructive to say. It seems that the ONLY thing you can do is tear someone down. Is that what you get your thrills on? Tearing someone down? How about finding someone to build up? You make me sick.
Reply to this comment
by bennyblack1 September 20, 2010 7:05 PM EDT
From what I know of Christine O'Donnell, I like her. However, it is not too smart to be playing around with religious undertones in this crucial moment in her campaign. I'm a Christian, myself, and I know a few Wiccans. What know about them, is that most are "light" Wiccans, or they are good people. I have no concerns about them, whatsoever. It's the "dark" ones that I am concerned about, who are of no consequence since most Wiccans reject this side of it. Light Wiccans are helpful, and the dark ones can be mischievious, and even Satanic. There has to be a distinction between these two if she's going to try to run on it. Otherwise, she's a congress woman that will be representing the lawful, moral majority - and that includes the Wiccan community.
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by documemts September 20, 2010 10:42 PM EDT
You just like the way she looks.
by kansas1946 September 20, 2010 6:43 PM EDT
"What is bringing everyday Americans into the street, out to Tea Party rallies and town hall meetings is the realization that our government has run off the rails," Pence said. "The American people recognize they've got to take back the reins of our government."

********************************************

We already know what is bring these nuts into the street. Racism and hatred of gays. This woman is nut, always has been a nut, and nuts appeal to nuts.
Reply to this comment
by thesevenveils September 20, 2010 5:12 PM EDT
Here we see a female face blushing with supposed Christianity, yet all the while the snarling hating face of Satan burns in her eyes.

No worries, typical of most fundamental Christians.
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by momofsixinCA September 20, 2010 5:32 PM EDT
Wow - such hatred for Christians. How many do you even know personally? I am one and know many other great people who are Christian and I haven't ever seen Satan's face burning in anyone's eyes. So pathetic to generalize like that. Scary how ignorant hatred against Christians goes unchecked these days - I hope that kind of hateful thinking isn't indicative of Nazi sentiments making a comeback - will it be Christians in concentration camps the next time this kind of hate gets into power unchecked???
by Arkajun1 September 20, 2010 4:51 PM EDT
Is this all the left wing religion destroying, God bashing media can come up with? witchcraft in high school...todays high schoolers shoot their teachers.

And Bill Clinton smoked dope...but didn't inhale???

Come CBS how about covering the national marble shooting contest or something.
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by momofsixinCA September 20, 2010 4:45 PM EDT
Sounds like liberals have some fun stuff to try to destroy her with - but how many of them never ever touched a ouija board or tarot cards when they were teenagers??? I doubt she really did anything that horrible or she wouldn't have been talking about it on a TV show. However, it would be good for her to make a public statement addressing the issue. More importantly, let's get some journalistic coverage of her views on the issues and what she intends to vote for or against if elected to represent her state?
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