National Affairs Editor
[thanks to tipster Jeff Clinton for this story]
Ben Evans reported for the Associated Press yesterday that Christine O'Donnell of Delaware, in a 2006 debate, claimed that China was plotting to take over America. She drew this conclusion from classified information, the source of which she wouldn't disclose. She later alluded that this "classified" information came from nonprofit groups that sent sent missionaries to China. Neither O'Donnell, nor the nonprofit religious group, of course, hold any U.S. government security clearances. Her bizarre claim was made in a 2006 Republican Senate primary debate. O'Donnell subsequently lost that primary.
Specifically, Christine O'D said China had a "carefully thought out and strategic plan to take over America." She even accused one of her opponents of appeasement for saying that China and the U.S. should find a way to be allies. "We have to look at our history and realize that if they pretend to be our friend it's because they've got something up their sleeve."
One of her, saner and more thoughtful opponents--Jan Ting-- said "I think our China policy has to be handled very carefully," Ting said. "We have the capability of making an enemy or a friend out of China."
On the basis of these third-hand reports from some half-baked Jehovah's Witnesses and evangelical missionaries, O'Donnell is perfectly happy to place China in the enemies column.
---o0o---
