Pledge to America, Christine O'Donnell and Reid's Hottie

Dear Mark: The Republicans have released their legislative agenda if they gain control of Congress in November. Their "Pledge to America" is nothing new and sounds a lot like the "Contract With America" from 1994, which was just a bunch of election-year hooey. President Obama is right that if we elect Republicans, they will just drive the car back into the ditch. Can't you guys do better than this? — Keep the Dems in Del Mar

Dear Keep: Actually, I'm pretty satisfied with the Republicans' efforts here. By spelling out their agenda and guiding principles, Republicans have taken another talking point away from President Obama, who loves to claim that Republicans have no specific ideas and are merely the party of no.

I find it odd that you don't like the Republicans' "pledge," when in fact Barack Obama was voted into office campaigning on many of the very same promises. The 2- page proposal includes promises of smaller, more efficient government, lower taxes and more transparency. Does that sound familiar? The pledge also highlights what Republicans would do with the economy, national security and health care.

My favorite part of the pledge under the section on government reform involves new legislation. Republicans promise a "mandate that all lawmakers writing legislation must include a clause in the measure demonstrating that the bill would be constitutional if enacted." The constitutional clause seems so obvious to mainstream America yet so foreign to Washington insiders.

My only concern is whether the GOP will follow through this time. as the Senate failed conservatives back in 1994. Then again, the primary losses of Republicans Lisa Murkowski, Charlie Crist and Mike Castle should serve as a warning to all politicians who decide to cross the tea party and the principles outlined in the Pledge to America.

Dear Mark: Republican senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell is a nut, and I am thankful she is running for Senate in Delaware. She is definitely not qualified to be a senator, and her admission that she "dabbled in witchcraft" during her life seals the deal. Her candidacy illustrates that the tea party is full of wackos and guarantees the Democrats will keep Joe Biden's former seat. How can you get out of this one? — In Your Face in Fayetteville

Dear Face: Be careful disqualifying political candidates for youthful indiscretions. O'Donnell's opponent, Chris Coons, once wrote about being a "bearded Marxist." Let's compare O'Donnell's witchcraft to the adult decisions made by some prominent Democrats. Barney Frank — involved with a male prostitute. Ted Kennedy — killed a woman. Timothy Geithner — tax evasion. Barack Obama — attended a church with a racist pastor for 20 years. Bill Clinton — goes without saying.

Dear Mark: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid disgusts me. He recently said that New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was the "hottest member" of the Senate. Women's groups have been silent. Where is their outrage for such a sexist comment? — Angry Lady in Atlanta

Dear Angry: First of all, Reid commenting that a woman is a "hottie" is just plain creepy. Second of all, you can find the outrage from women's groups in the same place you found them when Bill Clinton was womanizing — nowhere.

This is called a double standard. Just imagine what the National Organization for Women would be screaming if President Bush had said Nancy Pelosi was the hottest member in the House. OK, maybe that's not a realistic example — but I think you get the point.

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