John McCain backs Sarah Palin over Tea Party's tax stance

SENATOR John McCain has endorsed Sarah Palin's call for Republican candidates to adhere to the Tea Party's anti-tax, small-government message ahead of the 2 November mid-term elections in the United States.

Mr McCain said Republicans "betrayed our base, particularly in fiscal responsibility" when they seized control of Congress in 1994.

Speaking of his vice-presidential running mate in 2008, Mr McCain said: "What Sarah is saying is, 'We've got to get fiscally responsible Republicans in'."

Even though the Tea Party has enthused Republicans, some candidates may hurt the party's chances for gains in the Senate.

In Delaware, for example, Tea Party-aligned candidate Christine O'Donnell is trailing her Democratic opponent badly after a series of gaffes.

Yesterday, Ms O'Donnell questioned if the US Constitution prohibits the government from establishing religion. She criticised Democratic nominee Chris Coons' position that teaching creationism in public school would violate the First Amendment by promoting religious doctrine.

Ms O'Donnell asked where the Constitution calls for the separation of the church and the state.

When Mr Coons responded that it bars Congress from making laws respecting the establishment of religion, Ms O'Donnell asked: "You're telling me that's in the First Amendment?"