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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBob Vander Plaats, anti-gay Christian Right leader, accused of trying to sell endorsement
Bob Vander Plaats endorsement of Rick Santorum has produced a backlash among conservatives in Iowa, some of whom are accusing the FAMiLY LEADER president of engaging in pay for play schemes and selling his coveted support to the highest bidder. Earlier this week, Santorum admitted that Vander Plaats approached the campaign with an indirect solicitation of money to help promote his support, but now other sources familiar with the talks between Vander Plaats and GOP candidates are characterizing the tactics as corrupt.
Clearly the endorsement was for sale without a doubt, one source told ABC News Shushannah Walshe and Michael Falcone, stressing that Vander Plaats had tried to receive money for his support in past election cycles:
Though Santorum did not specify the dollar amount he and Vander Plaats discussed, multiple sources said he was soliciting as much as $1 million from Santorum and other candidates.
ABC News has learned that Vander Plaats tried to solicit money for his endorsement during the last presidential cycle too. A former staffer for Mitt Romneys 2008 presidential bid who is currently unaffiliated with a campaign said Vander Plaats came to them seeking money for his backing if he supported the former Massachusetts governor. He wanted to be paid, the former staffer said. He was clearly looking for a paycheck. There was a conversation about him getting a title, but being a paid consultant was much more important.
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/12/23/394837/bob-vader-plaats-pay-for-play-scandal-charged-a-million-for-endorsement-asked-candidates-to-drop-out/
A-Schwarzenegger
(15,596 posts)Couldn't have been a very good title.
Cirque du So-What
(25,908 posts)A pox on all such 'Christians' and all their useful idiots. In light of revelations over the years of unbridled greed on the part of so-called 'Christian' leaders, I'm convinced those who remain faithful to such charlatans are beyond all hope of ever waking up. If this shithog attempting a shakedown isn't illegal, it fucking well should be.
Old and In the Way
(37,540 posts)republican politics in a nutshell.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)Wait .... what??
wandy
(3,539 posts)The Genealogist
(4,723 posts)Why does it seem that the people who claim to be the greatest Christians around are so often corrupt? They remind me of the Pharisees in Christian scripture.