As the Castle Campaign continues to sink in the polls, he is desperately digging up issues to distract voters from the fact that he voted with President Obama on just about every major spending bill this summer.

Sad but true, his tactics have dominated a whole news cycle distracting some reporters from the real issues, like how we’re going to get private sector jobs back in Delaware or why he voted for Cap and Trade.  Because of this, I am amending the “Christine Counters” section of my website to clarify their latest accusation.

Mike Castle is making an issue of the fact that it took me 12 years to pay off my tuition bill and as a result my diploma was delayed.  As you can see from the picture below, I participated in my school’s Cap and Gown ceremony in 1993.  Yet, the “diploma” in my hand is actually a bursar’s bill for outstanding tuition payments.   It took me over a decade to pay off that bill as well as my student loans.

Once the bill was paid in full over 10 years later, the question of whether or not my credits had expired became an issue that even further delayed the awarding of my diploma.

In the meantime, I was awarded a 2002 Graduate Fellowship in Constitutional Government from the Claremont Institute in Claremont, CA.  This fellowship was awarded based on professional accomplishments rather than academic achievements.   I was upfront with the Claremont Institute about the status of the degree, yet it was not an issue because my professional merits stood on their own.

After a very long process, my undergraduate credits finally have been re-instated and I am a proud alumna of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

As your senator, I will focus on stopping the Mike Castle supported Obama agenda, including being the 41^st vote in the upcoming lame duck session voting against cap and trade, and further budget breaking stimulus.

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As the O’Donnell for US Senate team continues to gain momentum and rise in the polls, my political opponent is making an issue of the fact that, unlike him, I am not a multi-millionaire. His surrogates are generating stories based on half-truths and twisted facts. Perhaps this is a desperate move on his part to distract from his liberal voting record.  Perhaps he really believes only multi-millionaires or incumbents should run for office.

Whatever his reason for spreading rumors, please allow me to set the record straight so we can get back to the business of discussing the issues and serving the folks in Delaware.

1. My opponent claims I owe money to the IRS.  The IRS says the erroneous tax bill was a “computer error.”

During my previous campaign against then Sen. Joe Biden, I was audited by the IRS – so were some of my family members and a campaign worker.  (Let’s chalk that up to a coincidence.) After a long appeals process, this was supposed wrap-up this past spring.

Yet, in March, rather than a letter finalizing the appeals process, I received an erroneous tax lien claiming I had not responded to their previous correspondence.  The IRS admitted the letter was a mistake, issued a Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien on May 19, 2010 and chalked it up to a “computer error.”  The remaining balance was paid in full on May 16, 2010, clearly proving yet again that my political opponent is desperate and because of which he is ignoring the facts and circulating copies of the erroneous lien to reporters and bloggers.

Please find below, a copy of the letter from the appeals officer assigned to my case.  You will notice that it is dated just weeks before the erroneous lien and clearly demonstrates I had been cooperating with the IRS and heading towards resolution.

IRS Appeal Letter

On a side note, whether this is foul play or really just a computer error, it is big government at its worst – the IRS’s “computer error” should not be able to cause such a nightmare in a citizens’ life.

This is exactly why I have pledged to work hard to reform the IRS and simplify the tax code. The IRS has become a burden on too many families and businesses.  We need to shrink it, not expand it as proposed by the Obama/Reid agenda.

2. I sold my home in 2008.  My opponent claims I lost it in foreclosure.

Please find below, the letter from Citimortgage proving my home was privately sold in 2008 through a realtor and private mortgage company, not a public foreclosure.  Yet, my opponent is circulating a supposed foreclosure notice.   Could this document be the result another “computer error?”

citimortgage letter

Although I did not have the misfortune of facing a home foreclosure as my opponent alleges, millions of Americans – including scores of Delaware families – ARE facing just that right now. Catastrophic unemployment rates are robbing the American dream from so many who want to work, but can’t find a job.  In trying to “smear” me with false accusations of being involved in a foreclosure, Mike Castle is smearing the character of every American family facing foreclosure.  Not everyone is as lucky as Mike Castle who has been living on the taxpayer’s tab and a cushy government payroll since 1969.

3. My opponent is trying to start a rumor that I am not a Delaware resident.  This is simply not true.

During my 2008 campaign, both my home and campaign office were vandalized, broken into, files were stolen, threatening messages were left and nasty names were scrawled across my front door and porch.  For security reasons, I simply do not want my home address made public this time around.  Most common people understand this.

Thank you for taking the time to read my response.  As we continue to gain in the polls, no doubt new accusations will come.  I will continue to remain open and honest.  It is my goal to earn the trust and support of Delaware’s voters.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do just that.

– Christine

WILMINGTON, DE – On Thursday, September 2^nd, Christine made the following statement to a crowd of over 200 supporters, in response to that day’s News Journal’s comment that Castle is gay:

“I do not endorse that kind of mudslinging, and I’m asking all of my supporters not to go down that route. I am challenging Mike Castle to publicly denounce GOP State Chairman Tom Ross’ mudslinging and ask all of the Delaware State Republican Committee to stop the thug politics.

From here on out, it should be about the stark contrast between our stances on the issues and let the voters decide based on our positions.  Not only is it the high road for Mike Castle to take, it would be politically expedient.  His personal attacks have caused my supporters to rally to my defense. We have received more donations in the past 3 days than the sum total of the past 3 weeks.“

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DIAMOND STATE TEA PARTY ENDORSES CHRISTINE O’DONNELL

Makes Tea Party Endorsements Unanimous

Says Castle Afraid to Debate O’Donnell

 Dover, Delaware (September 1, 2010) — The Diamond State Tea Party, today, joined the Independence Hall Tea Party PAC and Tea Party Express in endorsing Christine O’Donnell for the US Senate in the upcoming Special Election Primary to be held September 14, 2010.

“The voters of this state are tired of politics as usual.  Christine O’Donnell is a breath of fresh air who will stand up for the taxpayers of this state and nation,” said Diamond State Tea Party founder, Kevin Street.  “Christine has been out meeting with the voters. discussing her ideas for turning this economy around.

“But where has Mr. Castle been?  For the last several months, various media and non-profit groups have been trying to arrange debates between O’Donnell and Castle,” said Mr. Street.                       

“Mr. Castle has been a no show.  He doesn’t believe the voters of this state are entitled to a debate on the issues.  Imagine that, he would like a job promotion but doesn’t feel he needs to discuss it with his boss–the voters of Delaware.

 ”It’s obvious Mr. Castle is hiding out because he knows his votes on Cap and Trade, and the Disclosure Act, among others, are completely out of touch with his constituents,” Mr. Street said.

“Christine O’Donnell, on the other hand, has been out front discussing the issues with the voters at every opportunity.  She is willing and able to debate Mr. Castle anytime, anywhere.  

“That’s what we love about Christine–her ability to articulate the issues.”

To make a donation to Christine O’Donnell’s effort to unseat incumbent Congressman Mike Castle, please click the image below.

If you would like to volunteer for Christine’s campaign, please click here.

Incumbent Congressman Mike Castle was a No Show at Yet Another Public Forum

On Monday, August 23, 2010, there was a voter forum sponsored by the Community News and Greater Hockessin Area Development Association. The Dover Post gave some great coverage of the event.

Christine O’Donnell’s opponent was a no show. Christine believes elected officials should be accountable to the people they’re supposed to represent.

ABC News has invited Delaware’s candidates for US Senate to a televised debate. The O’Donnell campaign has accepted, but there is no word yet from across the moat and behind the “Castle” drawbridge.

In response to incumbent Congressman Mike Castle’s failure to answer to the people, Christine O’Donnell said, “My opponent has a sense of entitlement, and assumes Delaware voters are just going to hand him a US Senate seat, but I prefer to hand him a pink slip.”

Isn’t it time for the Congressman to come down from his high and lofty place, and mingle with the common people of Delaware? No more dodging, Mr. Castle, it’s time to debate. The people of Delaware deserve better than this.

“Delaware, I won’t hide from my record. I’ll be accountable to you,” Christine concluded.

Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund is pleased to endorse Christine O’Donnell for U.S. Senate in the September 14 Republican primary.

Christine’s commitment to the right to keep and bear arms is unwavering. She understands that gun prohibitions turn law-abiding citizens into easier targets for violent criminals.

Christine O’Donnell respects the Constitution and will not support any laws that will disarm law-abiding American citizens.

The contrast between Christine and her opponent could not be clearer, as she is running against the most anti-gun Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mike Castle has been in the U.S. House since 1993, and the record he has complied voting against your gun rights could fill volumes. In his time in the House, Castle has voted:

• To allow the FBI to keep the names of lawful gun purchasers for months, effectively creating a registration list of gun owners;
• Against arming commercial airline pilots in defense of terrorism;
• For so-called campaign finance reform, which limits the ability of groups like GOA to communicate with the voting public about congressional legislation;
• Against repealing the gun ban in Washington, D.C.; and,
• Against repealing the gun ban on National Park Service land.

Mike Castle has not only voted consistently against your Second Amendment rights—he is an anti-gun leader as well. In 2004, Castle urged then-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to extend the Clinton ban on semi-automatic firearms. Castle even introduced his own legislation to extend the gun ban for an additional ten years.

In the current session of Congress, Castle has authored a bill that will regulate gun shows out of existence. His legislation is cosponsored by over one hundred Democrats who are F-rated on gun issues.

This is a bill that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would love to pass. And if he were elected to the U.S. Senate, you can be sure that Mike Castle would team up with his old buddy from New York—Sen. Chuck Schumer—to push even more gun control.

Simply put, were it left up to Mike Castle the Second Amendment would be completely abolished.

Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund is working to keep this gun banner out of the U.S. Senate, and we hope you will join us.

Christine O’Donnell will stand up to the anti-gun leadership in the Senate. She will oppose any new anti-gun legislation, and work to repeal unconstitutional gun laws already in place.

On behalf of Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund, I urge you stand with Christine O’Donnell for Senate.

And please, make sure all your contacts know about the importance of this race and remember to vote.

It is time for a new way of thinking in Washington. We need legislators who respect our Constitutional liberties and who will stand up to anti-gun Senators like Schumer, Lautenberg and Feinstein.

Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund urges all voters who support the right to keep and bear arms to vote for Christine O’Donnell for U.S. Senate in the September 14 Republican primary.

Thank you for your support if Gun Owners of America

Sincerely,

Tim Macy
Vice Chairman

P.S.—Unfortunately, the Republican establishment in Washington is supporting anti-gunner Mike Castle. This makes it all the more important for gun owners to stand with Christine O’Donnell for Senate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2010

Also running in the primary to be held on September 14 is one of the most pro-abortion members of Congress ever to serve, Mike Castle, the key sponsor of a destructive embryonic stem cell research bill favoring the use of human embryos for experimentation. Congressman Castle has a 75 percent positive rating from the largest pro-abortion organization in the world, Planned Parenthood. He has a zero percent rating in FRC Action’s annual scorecard.

“The Republican establishment might think they are backing a winner in Mike Castle, but they are only backing another Arlen Specter or Charlie Crist,” said Tony Perkins, Chairman of the Family Research Council Action PAC. “We are proud of Christine O’Donnell for stepping into the race and challenging the candidate who has stood against life and the family consistently in his career on Capitol Hill. We will support her courageous effort every step of the way,” concluded Perkins.

Christine O’Donnell challenges Mike Castle to debate in U.S. Senate race,
Is Mike Castle unwilling to defend his record?

WILMINGTON, DE – On Thursday, July 29, Christine O’Donnell for U.S. Senate Campaign Spokesman Yates Walker called the Mike Castle for U.S. Senate campaign headquarters to arrange two Delaware GOP debates in August between Christine O’Donnell and Mike Castle.

“The Castle camp wouldn’t commit to a debate,” said O’Donnell’s Campaign Spokesman Yates Walker. “I think the people of Delaware deserve to see a side by side comparison between Christine and Mike. Voters might appreciate the opportunity to see for themselves the difference between Christine’s platform of common sense, fiscal responsibility and Mike Castle’s record of spending Delaware and our nation into financial ruin.”

A previous July 9th debate sponsored by the Bear, DE-based group Founders’ Values was scheduled to be held at a seniors’ center, but
Mike Castle declined at the last minute, citing scheduling conflicts.

“There will be no excuse for Castle’s scheduling conflicts in August,” adds Walker, in reference to Congressional August recess during which Castle will be in Delaware.

Having recently earned the national Tea Party Express endorsement, the Christine O’Donnell for U.S. Senate team has reason for optimism in the Delaware race. In the most recent independent Rasmussen poll, Christine is now leading Democrat candidate Chris Coons in a head-to-head match-up: 41% to 39%.

(See the Rasmussen poll here: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/delaware/toplines/toplines_delaware_senate_july_14_2010)

Walker has requested two debates in August, The Castle campaign has not agreed to or offered comment on the challenge.