# Christine O'Donnell has replaced Palin in my heart of hearts... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 21, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499 "2010-09-21T02:35:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/301 "2010-10-15T12:38:28Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I think the assumption is largely that they need not be knowledgeable. Because by the time a candidate or would-be candidate has acheived enough policy and background knowledge to pass as a ‘qualified’ candidate, he or she has more often than not become a polished part of the established machine of politics > > They want people in office who will take a strong stand against the direction the country has been headed, who will fight tooth and nail not only to keep spending and taxes from growing but actually seek to reduce them, to reduce the size and scope of government, and to try to move the country socially back toward the more traditional moral values and standards (and no, I’m not talking about racism) that existed during the period of time when they feel the country was at its best. Two things. First, you don’t need to be part of the political machine to have a working understanding of what has been happening in politics. Every SC decision is publicly announced, new laws are published, there’s the congressional record, the budget is published, etc. There is a massive amount of information available to anyone who wants to understand what our government is doing. Second, if you’re ill informed, how can you even say that you know where the country is headed to put it “back on course”? How can you help craft legislation to fix the country when you don’t know a damn thing about the legislative process? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/302 "2010-10-15T12:44:02Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > … How can you help craft legislation to fix the country when you don’t know a damn thing about the legislative process? Witchcraft? Oh wait. :smack: CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/303 "2010-10-15T15:26:05Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > . . . and to try to move the country socially back toward the more traditional moral values and standards (and no, I’m not talking about racism) that existed during the period of time when they feel the country was at its best. :dubious: Do you **really** think that is possible? More to the point, do you think it is something government or elected officials can do, absent measures as thoroughgoing and socially totalitarian as the moral policing of the Iranian Revolution? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/304 "2010-10-15T15:57:43Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > > > . . . and to try to move the country socially back toward the more traditional moral values and standards (and no, I’m not talking about racism) that existed during the period of time when they feel the country was at its best. > > :dubious: Do you **really** think that is possible? > > More to the point, do you think it is something government or elected officials can do, absent measures as thoroughgoing and socially totalitarian as the moral policing of the Iranian Revolution? (the scene: the bedroom of a 13 year old boy) Christine O’Donnell’s voice comes out of the speaker which is permanently attached to the bedroom ceiling, next to the camera: “STOP THAT young man! Hands above the covers at all times if you please!” ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/305 "2010-10-15T16:05:06Z")
Obama made a mistake when he cut taxes. He did not raise them as right wingers pretend. But our taxes are at very low levels. If we are to deal as adults with the deficits, taxes will have to be raised. Taxes are not the problem at all. The Repubs grow the government every time they get in. The hugely increase the deficit giving as much money to their friends as is possible. Then when they get voted out, they suddenly scream about deficits, the same deficits they caused. Now the Dems are bad because their attempts to rein in the deficits will be rejected by those who caused it. Any attempts that will actually work are rejected by filibuster. It is not hard to make people think the government is ineffective if you make it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/306 "2010-10-15T16:15:21Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > > > . . . and to try to move the country socially back toward the more traditional moral values and standards (and no, I’m not talking about racism) that existed during the period of time when they feel the country was at its best. > > :dubious: Do you **really** think that is possible? > > More to the point, do you think it is something government or elected officials can do, absent measures as thoroughgoing and socially totalitarian as the moral policing of the Iranian Revolution? More to the point, given all of SA’s complaints about intrusive government blah blah blah, that seems like something government _shouldn’t_ do. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/307 "2010-10-15T17:29:22Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > And, as much as I’m surprised to find myself being able to truthfully say this, O’Donnell, as bad as she may be, has shown herself to be considerably more eloquent than Caroline Kennedy ever did during her aborted run for senator from New York. Who’da thunk _that_, huh? Assuming that’s true, “more eloquent” does not mean “better informed.” She can talk – unlike, say, Alvin Greene, her speech is cadenced appropriately, measured and direct. But this may create a false sense of competency. A slow, stumbling speaker may be a brilliant policy wonk; a captivating speaker may be spewing bullshit. Granted, there’s a strong correlation between clear concise speech and clarity of intellect, but as Ms. O’Donnell is showing us, correlation does not equal proof. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/308 "2010-10-15T18:27:50Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Nah, like I said, she’s not really a viable candidate. It’s simply more of the MSM’s concerted attempt to create the impression of Tea Partiers as dumbasses, despite the fact that Tea Partiers on average are both better educated and more successful than the general public. In a just world, which Tea Party candidate would the fair & balanced mainstream media be focusing their attentions on instead? Who really stands out for you as a shining star of the movement: a fitting ambassador for all the intelligent, successful, not-at-all-racist people that ostensibly comprise the majority of the Tea Party? ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/309 "2010-10-15T18:28:40Z")
> [@villa](#): > > Did Caroline Kennedy ever tell me I couldn’t beat off? If you recall, she didn’t tell you not to beat off, she simply asked for you to wait until after she left the room. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/310 "2010-10-15T18:36:29Z")
But once you were safely away, she took out a restraining order. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/311 "2010-10-15T18:41:02Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > > [@villa](#): > > > > Did Caroline Kennedy ever tell me I couldn’t beat off? > > If you recall, she didn’t tell you not to beat off, she simply asked for you to wait until after she left the room. Man, I was drunk as shit. How was I meant to listen to her and drive across a narrow bridge at the same time? ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/312 "2010-10-15T18:44:31Z")
_She_ was driving, remember? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/313 "2010-10-15T18:57:43Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Tea Partiers and many other people on the right no longer want candidates in office simply because they are Republicans. They want people in office who will take a strong stand against the direction the country has been headed, who will fight tooth and nail not only to keep spending and taxes from growing but actually seek to reduce them, to reduce the size and scope of government, and to try to move the country socially back toward the more traditional moral values and standards (and no, I’m not talking about racism) that existed during the period of time when they feel the country was at its best. There’s another thread in the Pit about whether the Tea Party has a social agenda at all. Would you mind posting this in that thread as well. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/314 "2010-10-15T19:10:37Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > And this of course raises the question of why so much media attention is being paid to her in the first place? Could it be perhaps that the the media is hoping to defame the Tea Party in its entirety by keeping the focus on its weakest and least adept candidate? Hmmm? Inquiring minds want to know. Who would you consider a strong, adept Tea Party candidate? ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/315 "2010-10-15T19:10:40Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > But once you were safely away, she took out a restraining order. Yeah, but who among us \*doesn’t \*Caroline Kennedy have a restraining order against for doing that? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/316 "2010-10-15T19:48:15Z")
What if the kids is gay and is fapping to Jesus, so as to avoid the temptation to some abominablenation? Singing “O Come, All Ye Faithful”? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/317 "2010-10-15T19:57:24Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Who would you consider a strong, adept Tea Party candidate? Hey, I asked first! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/318 "2010-10-15T20:18:09Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > > > And, as much as I’m surprised to find myself being able to truthfully say this, O’Donnell, as bad as she may be, has shown herself to be considerably more eloquent than Caroline Kennedy ever did during her aborted run for senator from New York. Who’da thunk _that_, huh? > > Assuming that’s true, “more eloquent” does not mean “better informed.” > > She can talk – unlike, say, Alvin Greene, her speech is cadenced appropriately, measured and direct. But this may create a false sense of competency. A slow, stumbling speaker may be a brilliant policy wonk; a captivating speaker may be spewing bullshit. > > Granted, there’s a strong correlation between clear concise speech and clarity of intellect, but as Ms. O’Donnell is showing us, correlation does not equal proof. I’ve said before that I’m not particularly a fan of O’Donnell. I just get tired of the over-the-top and frequently hypocritical comments about her around here, and to me, if people are going to point and laugh over her use of big words, then it’s legitimate to point to their relative silence when it comes to a candidate of their own who was not only much less eloquent but had far less of an idea what she would try to do once she got into office. So in other words, I’m attacking the unfair and untrue things said about O’Donnell, and not defending her candidacy itself. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/319 "2010-10-15T20:23:42Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I’ve said before that I’m not particularly a fan of O’Donnell. So again, which Tea Party-affiliated candidate are you a fan of? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christine-odonnell-has-replaced-palin-in-my-heart-of-hearts/554499/320 "2010-10-15T20:33:26Z")
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