O'Donnell Cancels "Face the Nation" Appearance

Updated 5:28 p.m. ET

Christine O'Donnell, the Tea Party darling whose Republican primary win in Delaware's Senate race shocked the GOP, has canceled her appearances on two national news shows.

O'Donnell had been set to appear on CBS' "Face the Nation" and on "Fox News Sunday."

Campaign spokeswoman Diane Banister told The Associated Press on Saturday that O'Donnell canceled so she could attend previously scheduled events, including a Republican picnic Sunday in Delaware's Sussex County, where she received key support.

Banister says O'Donnell would love to appear on the shows in the future.

On Friday, O'Donnell made her first national appearance since her primary win in Washington at the annual Values Voters Summit.

Her appearances on the news shows would have further put her in the national spotlight.

The cancellation follows the broadcast Friday night of "Real Time With Bill Maher," in which the comedian played a clip from his old ABC show, "Politically Incorrect," on which O'Donnell had often appeared.

In the clip, from 1999, O'Donnell said that she had "dabbled into witchcraft," and had her first date with a witch on a Satanic altar.

Maher described O'Donnell as "nice," but also said he had many other such clips from 22 episodes, and would air them until she agreed to come onto "Real Time": "It's like a hostage crisis: Every week you don't show up . . . "


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[tmittelstaed]

You know, there's a reason that these women wack-jobs like Palin and ODonnell are coming out of the conservative political establishment. It is because the Republicans are busy running all of the legitimate women out of their party. Look at what's going on with Lisa Murkowski. The message is clear to any realistic young women out there who want to become a governor, representative, senator, or President - don't join the Republican Party.

[Worldlifesite]

It seems her party has amatuers. Many people would construe the response for not appearing on Face the Nation as a lie.

The truth would have been more appropriate.

In political response terms something to the affect of:

"Due to recent events that we believe may effect the campaign we have decided to make it our priorty to meet on the matter rather than interview with Face the Nation. Once we have a full understanding of the effects of these recent events we will gladly appear on Face the Nation."

That's a more forgivable response to cancelling an appearance at this time than the one given.

The 'we agreed to appear but remembered we have other appearances and will do them instead" doesn't wash. It is Face the Nation for crying out loud.

[DisgustedInDE]

I was thinking the same thing about them canceling the appearances because of previous commitments. If you had previous commitments, why did you ever agree to appear in the first place?

It ranks up there with her comment at the public forum last week when asked specifics about cuts to the foreign aid bill: ""It would be irresponsible for me to say yes or no because I've been a little busy the last couple of days," O'Donnell said." Ummm...isn't this her third time running for Senate? You'd think she'd have an opinion on the topic by now. My guess is she wasn't prepped on how to answer that specific question.

[bassinapple]

Why isn't the media asking Chris Coons about his statement concerning marxism? We know why. Palin, Angle, Haley, and now O'Donnell are all being smeared.

Gov. Palin puts it best as she tweets:

C. O'Donnell strategy: time's limited;use it 2 connect w/local voters whom you'll be serving vs appeasing nat'l media seeking ur destruction
about 1 hour ago via Twitter for BlackBerry?

[merlgrey]

they should just replace her in the interview with a pull string talk action 'evangelical fundy' barbie doll, comes with miniature bible, high heals, and anti-masturbation literature for ken, her closeted gay husband. pretty much the same old ken.

[bradkt1]

She's afraid to face the press to answer legitimate questions about the nutty things she has said and done in the past. Next thing you go, she'l whine that the "liberal" press is out to get her.

Of course, she'll appear on Fox "News" later baecuase they won't emarrras her by asking her about this. They only ask politicians that they agree with softball questions.

[nearl451]

Other than getting Palins support, this is probablythe most Politically intelligent decision she can make.

If fact, her chances are best if she does not appear in public debate nor answer any questions before the election.

[jsilver2th]

Oh she probably been up all night dabbling.

[obwan222]

"While the people are taking back the country.."

You mean to take it back from "the people" that voted in the last election.

"Sounds like all you have the ability to do is cut them down, belittle them or smear their family or friends."

No. we have the ability to critize "them" just as you do - that's how democracy works in case you weren't aware.

[wasadem1]

Again, more punches at the winners. While the people are taking back the country some of you talk down winners that the people voted in. So what do you do when your candidate doesn't win or the candidate from the other party does? Sounds like all you have the ability to do is cut them down, belittle them or smear their family or friends. Bet that atribute has taken you far in your life. If you can't beat them, try to destroy them. Thats character that I would want to trust?

[democracy5]

Gee, wasadem1, do you mean like the right has acted toward Obama since he won and McCain lost?

[obwan222]

"All GOP and Tea Party Candidates need to stay very far away from the liberal biased hit machine of CBS, ABC, NBC?"

You forgot to mention Fox News Sunday, whom she also cancelled.

You're right - all those GOP/TP candidates should take their message directly to the people and set up soap boxes on the corner where they can talk directly to the people that happen to wander past.

Actually they had to cancel her interviews because they haven't finished writing answers on her hand.