Christine O'Donnell vs. Chris Coons in Delaware Senate Debate: The Reactions

(Oct. 14) -- Christine O'Donnell and Chris Coons -- also respectively known to each other as "The Witch" and "The Bearded Marxist" -- faced off Wednesday night in a nationally televised debate more captivating for its entertainment value than as a tight political race. Although Coons carried in a sizable lead over tea party favorite O'Donnell in the polls -- ahead 19 points according to a CNN/Time poll released the day of the debate -- the showdown still provided its share of memorable moments.

Just in case you are still getting up to speed on the highlights, here are some of the more memorable moments:

O'Donnell unable to name a recent Supreme Court ruling she disagrees with.

O'Donnell jokes about being on Saturday Night Live.

How are the pundits reacting to the first televised Delaware 2010 Senate debate? Surge Desk gathers the reactions:

Blogosphere:

"All things considered, Delaware GOP senate candidate Christine O'Donnell did well during last night's debate with Democrat Chris Coons. The stakes were high (why was CNN nationally broadcasting a debate for a race that isn't terribly close, anyway?), and she largely held her own." -- Matt Lewis, Politics Daily

"Well, it would be easy to point out the almost comical mismatch between the two candidates on policy grounds. On issue after issue, O'Donnell stuck with hollow platitudes, frequently contradicting herself when pressed for clarity." -- Steve Kornacki, Salon

"Tonight we saw one of the upsides to nominating O'Donnell: the forceful and articulate presentation to Delaware voters of the conservative case on foreign, domestic and economic issues." -- Power Line

"O'Donnell's flustered response [to the Supreme Court case question] is being compared to how Sarah Palin handled the same question in her infamous, disastrous interview with Katie Couric in 2008. It's never good when you can draw comparisons to that interview. -- Daily Intel

"In tone, it was a debate where O'Donnell occasionally appeared flustered but mostly held her own, sincerely and passionately arguing for her positions." -- Katrina Trinko, National Review

"O'Donnell comes across as a perfect, unflappable product of the talk-show culture." -- James Fallows, the Atlantic

Twitter (admittedly less insightful than the pundits, but always entertaining):

Do you think Christine O'Donnell went to Hogwarts?less than a minute ago via webGregory John Ciotti
gjciotti

I loved how Christine O'Donnell said '"You're just jealous because you weren't featured on SNL". She fought toe to toe a 3 to 1 onslaught.less than a minute ago via webAnabelle Viruet
Hardliner1269

Christine O'Donnell- "What I believe is irrelevant." Roughly translated: Christine O'Donnell is irrelevant.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckJoel Schrock
NorseKaiser

Why didn't Christine O'Donnell just use her powers of witchcraft to curse Chris Coons last night?less than a minute ago via webSteve Whitaker
stevewhitaker

also, can someone get Christine O'Donnell some decent hair products? Seriously. The ends on her hair are super gross.less than a minute ago via webNicole
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