Politics | Christine O'Donnell Christine O'Donnell: 'Very Useful Idiot' Lends 'populist cover' to billionaire-backed movement By Emily Rauhala Posted Oct 3, 2010 5:13 AM CDT Copied 'Everyday folk,' 'useful idiot' or both? (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) Christine O'Donnell's fictional resume and anti-masturbation antics may have liberals laughing, but she's no joke, writes Frank Rich in the New York Times. Her ascent is a pure "godsend" for the GOP. Unlike Rove and the Republican old guard, O'Donnell is more than willing to "play the role of useful idiot"—giving a "populist cover" to a movement funded by billionaires and corporate interests, says Rich. O'Donnell's idiocy lends credence to the notion that the Tea Party is "populated only by everyday folk upset by big government and the deficit," he writes. "By the time her fans discover that any post-election cuts in government spending will be billed to them, and not the Tea Party’s shadowy backers, she’ll surely be settling her own debts with fat paychecks from Fox & Friends. Click here for the latest on her campaign. Read These Next Dems and Republicans team up to block Trump on Greenland. Officials say ICE agent who shot Renee Good had internal bleeding. You might be able to squeeze a few more years out of life this way. FBI conducts 'exceedingly rare' search on journo's home. Report an error