Tea Party Express Unaware Of O'Donnell's Finances
The Tea Party Express, the fiscally conservative organization that has helped nominate several GOP underdogs this year, endorsed Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell (R) without knowing too much about her personal financial history.
O'Donnell, a perennial conservative candidate in Delaware, is challenging moderate Rep. Mike Castle (R), the clear favorite of the GOP establishment. But she has come under fire recently for her personal financial problems. Reports have surfaced that she owed $10K in back taxes, defaulted on her mortgage and holds outstanding campaign debt.
Levi Russell, a spokesman for the group, told Hotline On Call that the group was not aware of O'Donnell's personal financial problems before it endorsed her.
"We don't know the exact situation," he said.
When asked if the group discussed the issues with O'Donnell, Russell responded: "No we haven't. We don't really have any contact with the campaign or the candidate."
Tea Party Express concentrates on supporting candidates who share its conservative views on fiscal issues -- cutting taxes and balancing the budget. Russell said that even with these revelations about O'Donnell's financial history, the organization will stand behind her.
"In our view we would rather have someone who owes some back taxes but is not trying to hide them than someone who is trying to sell out the Tea Party," Russell said, referring to Castle.
The Tea Party Express, which spent $600K in support of SEN candidate Joe Miller (R) in AK last week, is preparing to fully wade into the DE primary with TV ads.
The primary between Castle and O'Donnell is taking place Sept. 14.
"Reports have surfaced that she owed $10K in back taxes, defaulted on her mortgage and holds outstanding campaign debt."
So appoint her Secretary of the Treasury or Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee.
I can't understand those who support O'Donnell... A vote for O'Donnell in the primary is a vote for another democrat in the senate. There's no way she can come close to winning in the general.
If she even comes close to winning this primary, it will be disgraceful for Delaware Republicans. With this story and all the other stuff at www.knowchristineodonnell.com she'd be an embarrassment to Delaware.
A vote for O'Donnell is a vote for a Democrat- Chris Coons. Coons would have voted for the stimulus and health care. Castle opposed both. For conservatives, the perfect should not be the enemy of the good.
And if you really want to learn more about O'Donnell, visit www.knowchristineodonnell.com. You'll learn about her tax problems (nearly as bad as the Obama administration's Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner!).
Castle is the best choice for Delaware.
This is unbelievable. How can anyone expect Christine O'Donnell to handle our nation's finances when she can't even handle her own?
She has basically been living off of her campaign funds for the past four years. So many of our fellow residents here in Delaware are looking for jobs, while O'Donnell is living off of donations from out of state Tea Baggers, none of whom apparently know or care about her financial problems.
I guess no one really took the time to get to knowchristineodonnell.com
I have supported the tea party since it's inception and I am so disappointed to hear that Christine O'Donnell is now associated with this group. We need to restore fiscal reponsibility to Washington, how are we to do that by supporting a candidate who can barely balance her own checkbook. Castle may be more liberal than I would like, but at least he has demonstrated abilty to accomplish something for Delaware, and has the credibility in Washington to ensure some semblance of order in this balck hole of spending the Jackasses (i mean Democrats) have created. O'Donnell is an emabarassment to Delaware, to the Tea Party, and to politics in general. Don't believe me, go to knowchristineodonnell.com.
"In our view we would rather have someone who owes some back taxes but is not trying to hide them than someone who is trying to sell out the Tea Party," (emphasis added)
As appalling as that comment is (they support someone who owes taxes??), lets take it at face value. They will support her as long she isn't trying to hide her tax problem. Really? Really? Then take a look at what she says about her tax problem:
O'Donnell owes the federal government $11,744.59 in taxes and penalties from the 2005 tax year, according to a lien filed by the IRS on March 2, 2010, with the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds........."That's a mistake," (O'Donnell) said. "The IRS agent handling my audit was even perplexed by that questionable lien notice because he's in the process of resolving my audit." - News Journal, March 21, 2010
So there you have it Tea Party Express - either she does not owe taxes, or she is hiding. Still want to support her?
I am a dyed in the wool Democrat but have always voted for Mike Castle. Boy, if O'Donnell wins the primary, I will vote for ANYONE who opposes her. I wouldn't vote for her to be a street sweeper.
How can anybody endorse someone who can not keep her own finances straight. A house is one of the most important things a person can own, but yet she is behind on her mortgage......is foreclosure next??? Owes $10,000 in back taxes.....gee this lady has some balls to get into the running and the teaparty has some balls in backing her.....don't they even look into the person they are backing personal affairs??? Hey "teaparty" I have some land in Florida....it does have a big hole in the middle and swamp around it, but I'm sure you would like it for a summer home. If she loved the State of Delaware she would step down and not run.