Christine O’Donnell takes jabs at Coons in Delaware Senate debate

“Tea party”-backed Republican Christine O’Donnell went on the offensive Wednesday in Delaware’s first Senate debate, accusing rival Chris Coons of being a “rubber stamp” for Democrats, as he tried to stick to points of policy.

The campaign so far has largely focused on O’Donnell, who became an instant national figure after her surprise primary triumph over a moderate and disclosures about her conservative religious views that some have painted as extreme.

Her debut campaign ad sought to address her past statements that she had dabbled in the black arts in high school. It opened with the now-familiar line, “I’m not a witch,” and was promptly spoofed on television’s “Saturday Night Live.”

She referred to that notoriety in the debate with Coons, saying to him at one point, “You’re just jealous that you weren’t on Saturday Night Live.”

The 90-minute event at the University of Delaware was also a debut of sorts for Coons, the wonkish New Castle County executive who holds a 19-percentage-point lead among likely voters, according to a CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corp. poll.

From the outset, O’Donnell sought to portray him as someone who would vote lock-step with President Obama and the Democrats in Congress.

She reminded viewers that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) once called Coons his “pet,” and she repeatedly pointed to tax increases under Coons’ tenure as county leader. She said he would be a rubber stamp for Democrats.

Coons, who at times threw up his hands in frustration, eventually retorted that his opponent, whose career has been largely as a perennial candidate and spokeswoman for conservative causes, does not have the experience needed to be a U.S. senator.

“Ms. O’Donnell has experience running for office but not really running anything,” he said. “I’m not anyone’s pet. I’m going to be a bulldog for Delaware.”

The Senate seat was occupied by Vice President Joe Biden for 36 years.

Because an appointed senator occupies the post now, the winner of next month’s election could take office immediately and serve in what is expected to be a lame-duck session. Because of that, O’Donnell suggested that Coons could represent a vote for a tax increase if he joined other Democrats in blocking the extension of expiring George W. Bush-era tax cuts for families earning more than $250,000 a year.

Coons, however, strayed from the dominant Democratic position that tax cuts should be extended only for those earning less than that amount. “I don’t think we should draw an arbitrary line at $250,000,” he said.

Coons and O’Donnell tangled over policy on a wide range of topics.

O’Donnell maintained her opposition to abortion, even in the case of rape or incest. Coons said he was personally against abortion, but would not interfere with a woman’s right to choose.

Coons said he supported repealing the federal “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to allow gays to serve openly in the military. O’Donnell said the issue should be up to the Pentagon.

When asked whether she still considered evolution a myth, as she has said in the past, O’Donnell sidestepped the question.

“What I believe is irrelevant,” she said. “What I would support in Washington, D.C., is the ability for the local school system to decide what is taught in their classroom.”

Later, she added, “This election cycle should not be about comments I made on a comedy show over a decade and a half ago.”

“These aren’t just random statements,” Coons shot back.

O’Donnell raised past statements by Coons, including one in a student newspaper article in which he satirically referred to himself as a “bearded Marxist.”

Coons, in response, deadpanned, “I am not now nor have I ever been anything but a clean-shaven capitalist.”

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com