Are you a fearmongering political candidate who wants to appeal to conservative voters' deepest, darkest xenophobic fears? Just say the magic word: China. That's Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell did. (Among all the other crazy awesome crazy claims and feats for which she's made a name for herself.)The Associated Press has dug up a crazy claim that O'Donnell made back in 2006, when she claimed that she was privy to classified information about a secret Chinese plot to overthrow the United States: O'Donnell said China plotting to take over US.
Well, of course. You can't trust those sneaky Chinese. They're Chinese. I would just like to know more about this alleged Chinese takeover that she claims to have the supersecret lowdown on. Because it sounds pretty sinister. Like, seriously Red Dawn-esque.
O'Donnell's comments came as she and two other Republican candidates debated U.S. policy on China during Delaware's 2006 Senate primary, which O'Donnell ultimately lost.
She said China had a "carefully thought out and strategic plan to take over America" and accused one opponent of appeasement for suggesting that the two countries were economically dependent and should find a way to be allies.
"That doesn't work," she said. "There's much I want to say. I wish I wasn't privy to some of the classified information that I am privy to."
"A country that forces women to have abortions and mandates that you can only have one child and will not allow you the freedom to read the Bible, you think they can be our friend?" she asked. "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."
I'm telling you -- China: it's the magic word. When all else fails, invoke a fear of China! And if you're desperate, use "take over" in the same utterance. It goes a long way. More here: Superspy Christine O’Donnell Knows China's Plans To Invade USA.
(By the way, I cannot take credit for this post's headline. The glory goes to the kickass Eugenia B.)