Maybe we\u2019re not all as stupid or defeated as we appear.<\/p>\n
ThinkProgress \u00bb Christine O\u2019Donnell Not Sure If Separation Of Church And State Is In The Constitution<\/a> <\/p>\n Yesterday, in a debate with Democratic opponent Chris Coons at Widener University Law School in Delaware, O\u2019Donnell accused Coons of \u201cconstitutional ignorance<\/a>,\u201d saying \u201cperhaps they didn\u2019t teach you Constitutional law at Yale Divinity School.\u201d But when Coons defended his position against teaching creationism by citing the First Amendment\u2019s prohibition against establishment of religion, O\u2019Donnell inquired, \u201cthat\u2019s in the First Amendment?<\/a>\u201c: <\/p>\n Coons said that creationism, which he considers \u201ca religious doctrine,\u201d should not be taught in public schools due to the Constitution\u2019s First Amendment. He argued that it explicitly enumerates the separation of church and state.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe First Amendment does?\u201d O\u2019Donnell asked. \u201cLet me just clarify: You\u2019re telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the First Amendment?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,\u201d Coons responded, reciting from memory the First Amendment<\/strong> to the U.S. Constitution. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s in the First Amendment\u2026?\u201d O\u2019Donnell responded<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Later in the debate, O\u2019Donnell stumbled<\/a> when asked whether or not she would repeal the 14th, 16th, or 17th Amendments if elected. She asked the questioner to define the 14th and 16th amendments, adding: \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t bring my Constitution with me.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cYou actually audibly heard the <\/font>crowd gasp<\/font><\/a>,\u201d<\/font> said Widener University political scientist Wesley Leckrone, adding that her responses \u201craised questions about O\u2019Donnell\u2019s grasp of the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n ThinkProgress \u00bb Christine O\u2019Donnell Not Sure If Separation Of Church And State Is In The Constitution<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Maybe we\u2019re not all as stupid or defeated as we appear. ThinkProgress \u00bb Christine O\u2019Donnell Not Sure If Separation Of Church And State Is In The Constitution Yesterday, in a debate with Democratic opponent Chris Coons at Widener University Law School in Delaware, O\u2019Donnell accused Coons of \u201cconstitutional ignorance,\u201d saying \u201cperhaps they didn\u2019t teach you … Continue reading “You actually heard the crowd gasp!” – That gives me hope.<\/span> \n
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