Christine O'Donnell In New Ad: 'I'm Not A Witch' (VIDEO)

In her first television ad for Delaware's general election Senate race, Republican candidate Christine O'Donnell takes on a matter that has ignited controversy around her campaign: an old video clip in which she says she's "dabbled into witchcraft."

The suggestion from O'Donnell came during a 1999 appearance she made on "Politically Incorrect," HBO host Bill Maher's former ABC program.

"I'm not a witch," says the conservative hopeful at the beginning of the newly-released 30-second spot. "I'm nothing you've heard. I'm you."

Speaking very slowly and looking straight into the camera, O'Donnell continues, "None of us are perfect, but none of us can be happy with what we see all around us. Politicians who think spending, trading favors and backroom deals are the ways to stay in office. I'll go to Washington and do what you'd do. I'm Christine O'Donnell and I approve this message. I'm you."

ThinkProgress relays what the GOP hopeful had to say years earlier about the witchcraft matter:

I dabbled into witchcraft. I hung around people who were doing these things. I'm not making this stuff up. I know what they told me they do.

One of my first dates with a witch was on a satanic altar and I didn't know it. I mean, there was a little blood there and stuff like that. ... We went to a movie and then had a little picnic on a satanic altar.

HuffPost's Sam Stein recently reported that O'Donnell sparked backlash with her remarks in the Wiccan community:

O'Donnell immediately distanced herself from the quote, asking whether it was fair to hold candidates responsible for the "questionable folks" they hung out with in high school. The clarification may have been the only sane political move for O'Donnell to make. But it had the side effect of angering an already politically sensitive pagan community.

"Yes, this was 11 years ago she said that," said Reverend Selena Fox, the High Priestess & Senior Minister of the Circle Sanctuary a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting paganism and nature spirituality. "But the kinds of things she is saying now, saying 'well in high school you are with despicable characters' or some such thing, she is actually defaming Wiccans. Whether she intends to do that or not as a way to try and get herself out of this political problem she has created for herself, the fact is America really needs to be a place where you can celebrate diversity and practice your religion without getting ridiculed or defamed."

WATCH: Christine O'Donnell: 'I'm Not A Witch'

Comments

[brueso]

04:14 AM on 10/12/2010

notice her eyes move towards the end as she reads her own name? Good thing she had a cue card for that.

[Rosalee Harris]

09:29 PM on 10/11/2010

You know in some ways Christine Odonnell is more frightening than Sarah Palin. There is a kind of naievete and innocence about her that makes her dangerous. Sarah palin always came off as someone being out for herself there was always a fakeness about her. O'donnell is different I have to check myself because I felt sorry for her during the witch fiasco there seems to be something mroe genuine about her even though she is clueless and have no idea what she is talking about.

[brueso]

04:15 AM on 10/12/2010

maybe it's the earnest, poignant "Lifetime Network" piano music in the background of the spot.

[Martha57]

09:03 PM on 10/11/2010

Well, she certainly is NOT me, If she were me, well she would have done the unmentionable sex thing! So, she is NOT ME and she is NOT US!

[RCoA]

05:35 PM on 10/11/2010

I hope she wouldn't go to Washington and do what I would do, because I'm corrupt and I'd be in it for the swag and the power.

[dnno1]

09:12 AM on 10/10/2010

I know that one. It's the Jedi mind trick.

[Jason Bussell]

01:57 AM on 10/10/2010

I'm you. I have run two unsuccessful congressional campaigns. I have stolen money from those campaigns to pay rent and buy groceries. I took over 10 years to graduate college, and I misrepresent the college I attended. I went on the Bill Maher show 21 times to get as much attention as I could. I would like small government to tell you what you can do in your bedroom (or bathroom, closet, or any room in which you may find sexual gratification). I have no interest in sex other than to think it should be restricted; it's a dirty, icky thing. I've never been able to hold a job. I know nothing about finance, defense, the economy, foreign relations, government, etc. I am more moral than you. I know better than you. I'm you.

[Lorrie Jackson]

04:57 PM on 10/11/2010

F&F

[Margo Arrowsmith]

07:47 PM on 10/12/2010

Me too! F and F! Welcome I am looking forward to more!

[doublehappi]

07:38 PM on 10/09/2010

But i am a witch!

[jdrourke]

07:00 PM on 10/09/2010

While I am a proud Democrat, there have been times in my life when I've voted for Republicans and independents.

So I'm honestly not being biased when I write That Is The Worst Political Ad I've Ever Seen!!!!

http://jdrourke.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/dear-christine-odonnell/

[ywcachieve]

05:26 PM on 10/11/2010

I am a lifelong Dem, and I would not even think of voting for a Repub.

I loathe everything they stand for.

[BillForObama]

06:41 PM on 10/09/2010

If there is a cure for this (being a witch), Chrissy should want it!!!

[southernblue]

06:10 PM on 10/09/2010

I've never thought that she was a witch and frankly don't care. (Actually, my understanding of the history of witches is that the word comes from "wit," the root word of wisdom. Apparently early feminists? Need to look that up.)

Anyway, this ad was similar to something one might see on the 700 club.

[pene]

12:12 PM on 10/09/2010

this ad is effective in its simplicity but for me the problem is, as historygeek pointed out, that i want her to go to washington and "vote for a public option, new Wall st. regulations, pre-Reagan tax codes, and ending American imperialism." she doesn't say she won't do that, but her other public utterances says she won't. therefore, she's not me. not by a long shot.

an ad that says nothing tells me she has something to hide. must be her ideas.

[HistoryGeek]

12:00 PM on 10/09/2010

They must have a poor education system in Delaware. How did they vote for this women?

[Hollyse]

01:00 PM on 10/09/2010

No such creature as a VOTE. She was 'placed' like most of the thieves in DC dripping down into your local diseased politicians

[HistoryGeek]

11:58 AM on 10/09/2010

She'd do what I'd do? Great! I guess she'll vote for a public option, new Wall st. regulations, pre-Reagan tax codes, and ending American imperialism.

[gallo146]

11:30 AM on 10/09/2010

too funny!!! she is me? no way!! gonna take a shower....she spilled her tea left me with a acidic tea flavor

[AverageJill]

11:21 AM on 10/09/2010

When Christine O'Donnell says she's me, why do I feel insulted?

[Hollyse]

01:04 PM on 10/09/2010

Problem exists in all aspects of who Americans have become. Christine is telling the truth really and this is why people are so disgusted listening to her. Can't blame her for telling the reality of many Americans... it's tghe denial we suffer from, those illusions of "What a bunch of crappy people Americans are... STUPID... that is everyone but ourselves. O'Donnell knows this and she's up there fronty and center telling every American what and who we are.

[ywcachieve]

05:35 PM on 10/11/2010

I pay my bills, I don't steal money that was put up for a specific use, like campaigning, I do not owe my college money and have to be sued by them, I paid every penny of my student loan, I pay my taxes.

NO, her ad is NOT me, or anyone I know.

[vrogers1]

01:02 AM on 10/10/2010

Same reason I do: she is a dim-witted nutcase, who deserves to be forever banished from American government based on her sheer idiocy.