Yes, Madam, That Actually Is in the First Amendment

In a radio debate a few days ago in the US Senate race for Delaware, Christine O'Donnell made a faux pas which was very revealing, I think.  In a discussion of the issue of the 'separation of church and state', she asked the Democratic candidate Chris Coons where this was to be found in the Constitution.  Here's the actual exchange:

"The First Amendment does?" O'Donnell asked. "Let me just clarify: You're telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the First Amendment?"

"Government shall make no establishment of religion," Coons responded, reciting from memory the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Coons was off slightly: The first amendment actually reads "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.")

"That's in the First Amendment...?" O'Donnell responded.

Yes, Christine, dear, that's in the First Amendment.  One has to ask:  Madam, have you ever read the actual Constitution, or are you, in everything you say, just regurgitating the various talking points of prominent conservatives? 

Me thinks it's the latter.  Please, how did this woman ever win the Republican primary, elected by people who say they want to go back to the 'original intent' of the Constitution?  Have these people ever actually read the original Constitution?  You'd think they might want to do that.

Now, having made the necessary critique of Ms. O'Donnell, let me say that there are Tea Party leaders who are very knowledgeable of the Constitution.  The most prominent of these would be Congressman Ron Paul, whose intelligence and integrity are undisputed (I hope the same is true of his son Rand, who is running for the Senate in Kentucky). 

I guess this just goes to show that every political movement has both its qualified leaders and its buffoons.