Bob Vander Plaats, an evangelical leader in Iowa, has admitted to being paid 95K by the DeSantis campaign prior to his endorsement. What a waste of money – considering this guy was happy to be a Never Trumper for free.
(Reuters) – The DeSantis campaign, a super PAC linked to him and a nonprofit group supporting him together paid $95,000 in recent months to the Family Leader Foundation, an Iowa-based nonprofit led by evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats, according to campaign finance reports and a document prepared by an Iowa state lawmaker who was helping the Vander Plaats organization raise money for a July 14 presidential candidate forum.
The document and the amount spent by DeSantis and his allies are previously unreported.
For that money, DeSantis and supporting groups got three pages of advertisements in a booklet distributed at the July forum attended by 2,000 Christian conservatives, and tickets to the summit, lunch and an after-dinner event.
But the real value may be more in building a relationship with Vander Plaats, whose endorsement is coveted in the early-voting state, said three campaign finance experts and an academic who studies Iowa campaign spending.”
BREAKING: Iowa evangelical leader admits he was paid by the DeSantis Team prior to his endorsement pic.twitter.com/EoVmMPLe1y
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 21, 2023
Desantis could have helped unite the Republican Party by endorsing President Trump for 2024. Instead, he chose to run against him and divide our country further in an act of sheer desperation. Please clap…
Isn’t that illegal?
only if President Trump did it OR
Trump was accused of it, but did not actually exchange money – the lawfare psychos would find a way to bring him to trial…
In the world of today this man could do for judicial robes what john wayne gaycee did for clown costumes and makeup.
Rodeo clowns excepted.
That farce is a bench trial.
No. They bought “advertisements” for a dinner event.
I keep telling people to get out of the churches. They are nothing more than money laundering factories preying on fear.
The whole world is the church, and God is within it.
Nope, sorry friend.
Satan is the ruler in this world.
Grace Community Church is a Biblical church with John MacArthur who is a Biblical teacher.
He will tell you to go to a local church, because it tells us to do so in the Bible.
It is satan who loves people like you whom he can divide and conquer. Pastor John will teach you the church is each one of us believers. The body of believers is the church. The world is satans to pervert. By not gathering with the body of believers you have been fooled and lay yourself open to your downfall.
30 pieces of silver
Wow! There are no words.
Not sure which one to have contempt for, DeSoros or an alleged Christian Preacher. With Rhonda DeSoros we’ve come to expect lies about everything from him. The “preacher” however is about as wrong as can be. If the true Christian community in Iowa doesn’t reject this piece of crap and publicly boot him from any Christian funded organization, they’re worse than any leftists. There is nothing worse than those who claim to be Christians then act worse than any secular humans. Judus Pence is a prime example
I don’t know what has happened to so many “pastors” or “preachers”. Or why so many people flock to the congregations of such men.
It seems that the draw of filthy lucre is stronger than Almighty God for Whom they supposedly serve as shepherds of His flock on this earth.
The worship of our Father is not a business or a foundation. The riches of His love and mercies are infinite and eternal. Something Mr Vander Plaats and many others of his ” calling” have seemingly lost sight of.
Me too. Wretched.
It’s a harsh word, Bruce.
….but aren’t we all?
Not harsh, true. Plus…
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8
Godliness is a lifestyle acceptable to God. Money doesn’t matter.
It is harsh, Phflipper…in the sense of the meaning of it and the recognition that with brutal, necessary self examination and honesty we are wretched.
That is the context of my comment, my friend, which I stand by. A harsh thing indeed to recognize.
And in doing so, yes…one finds just how true it is.
I reckon we can disagree on how we each acknowledge our own heart. I acknowledge my wretched heart as true about who I am; and not harsh in my mind, the context of my comment as well.
Though I phrase it differently, Phflipper, my acknowledgment is the same.
Blessings always…
Wretched is a perfect word for this scum…I like wretched in this instance. And a so-called Evangelical?
How low does one have to go? As an Evangelical and being paid?? There are several other words which are appropriate…one starts with wh___.
And meanwhile, Trump doesn’t even accept a salary!
Exactly, these mega preachers are not spiritual. Their egos are too huge. Piety, no way!
Betsy, most of them nowadays are apostles of the church of the almighty dollar. Choose wisely.
And, increasingly, apostles of the Almighty State (covid), Gaia (“climate change”), and sexual perversion (I don’t need to elaborate).
People flock to them because they preach an easy religion – no sacrifices need be made. No repentance required. Just line up to receive the goodies God is handing out.
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that.
If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”
~CS Lewis~
Hi Bets,
Never could tolerate Osteen!
Always believed he was a big phoney, entirely too full of himself.
St Paul on the other hand was chosen by God!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, as all things considered, there is still so much to be thankfull
for.
Well hello, mouse! I may be wrong because I know precious little about him; but I gather God is not the focus of his “church”.
You have a blessed Thanksgiving as well, girl💕 And yes…there is much to be thankful for, even unto the smallest blessings which often turn out to be the largest. I am grateful for them all.
My Pastor has repeatedly cautioned us against falling for the “Prosperity Gospel” preachers…..
He labels them well, GB. I still miss the rector of the Episcopal Church of my youth, named for St Paul himself. I find myself remembering his sermons and his absolute faith. He is the one I measure all others by and so have no problem staying away from the type your pastor warns of.
Osteen is an abomination. The whole “live your best life now” “Christian” belief is the exact opposite of “laying down your life”.
Wheat and tares.
TV Evangelists are nothing more than snake oil salesmen.
prosperity gospel mega’churches’ – using God for power, influence, and above all – money.
This one I know of personally, because of young family members drawn to the prosperity theme twisted preaching – using God and Bible with many passages, as in Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9: 11-13, Malachi 3:10. Preying especially on those who have started working with good wages to even demand tithes of at least 10%, 4 times per month at every church gathering packed with these young people gyrating to music and what not – easy thousands a month for this guy to fund his wife’s ‘music’ career.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2449010/Singapore-megachurch-founder-trial-stealing-40million-fund-wifes-American-pop-star-dream.html
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1080586/offbeat
More here – concerning their expanding to other countries
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/asia-pacific/singapore-pastor-spent-church-funds-on-wife-s-music-career-1.2400802
Betsy, this “preacher” will pay extra not only for HIS sins, but also for the sins of those he has misled, as well as those who turn from God because of his actions.
No man is an island, is he, TR…
The website is all about elections, donations, books and under every section from marriage, education, etc : nothing is to do with the Bible
https://www.thefamilyleader.com/blog/categories/marriage
Everything to do with elections, donations and advocacies .. all sections more secular than anything to do with pasture care
https://www.thefamilyleader.com/post/re-watch-top-10-moments-from-thanksgiving-family-forum
Sorry .. not meant to post twice.
Everything to do with elections, donations and advocacies .. all sections more secular than anything to do with pasture carehttps://www.thefamilyleader.com/post/re-watch-top-10-moments-from-thanksgiving-family-forumMy opinion exactly.
Yes, Pence. The man who sides with those who have aborted millions of babies. He’s going to hell!
When is he going to be arrested?
He was already arrested four times but I’m sure they can squeeze in one more before the election!
The odea that anyone did anything illegal, or that this is at all unusual is so funny.
WHY do you think people give endorsements to candidates,..you actually think its purely out of support for the politicians POLICIES, LOL.
This has been going on as long as there have been elections.
The only thing outrageous about this is the amount of $, and how little they got gor the $.
Easy to see how the RDS campaign has blown thru $200 million.
Not illegal.
But neither ethical nor moral.
Well, we ARE talking about Preachers and Politicians,..
why do you bring up ethics and morals, in such a conversation, lol.
Trying to change the subject, 😉
In 2020, there was a BUNCH of candidates in MI who touted a Trump endorsement….an endorsement that they paid the MIGOP to get. DJT didn’t get the money, the state party got it, and then recommended the candidates to DJT.
I suspect that DJT didn’t know the state GOP was selling the endorsements, but I could be wrong.
I also suspect that this happened in state parties across the nation.
Like the selling of absolutions, has a real nasty taint to it, yes?
buying your way into heaven………I don’t think any of them made it.
And who benefits the most?
As always, the whored out media.
The governments got seven ways from sunday to give money to them.
I didn’t know candidates buy endorsements. Seems as though this is a new low for their campaign. 🙄
I suspect buying endorsements occurs all the time by pols of all stripes. It’s just rare to see a campaign so ham-handed about it as this one.
i wonder how much MY endorsement could be worth….
Depends who you are. But If you’re Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates, I don’t think DeStupid can afford you.
👍
Btw, short responses (like yours) are the most to the point.
Makes you wonder what DeStupid paid Gov. Reynolds and/or what position in his administration he promised her. Maybe I don’t wanna know.
Don’t you know? Candidates don’t ask for votes anyone. It’s money so they can pay to steal.
How low can Ron! go ???
Pious hypocrite. Shameful.
Wow! Wreaks of swamp desperation.
Just a bit of paraphrasing here.
“We have established what sort of preacher you are. Now we are haggling on the price.”
Wicked!
wicked funny
Praise the Lord and pass the Loot!
😂😂
It shows the depth to which “ religious leaders” will stoop.
The fella in the Vatican, the Mullahs.
Geesh!
Cheers, and God Bless President Trump who once again shows his true class by avoiding all these a**wipes.
Well played, RF!
You know….this is just. filthy by all participants.
That’s how you know they are politicians and their coconspirators/lobbyists/blackmailers in fraud.
They are indistinguishable from all the other psychopaths they create and release.
“We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.” – Aesop
You would figure people would have woken up to their serial bad decisions throughout history, but no, wave “free shyte we steal from you’re neighbors” always wins with the weak greedy and envious leeches.
“The utopian schemes of leveling and a community of goods, are as visionary and impractical as those which vest all property in the crown. These ideas are arbitrary, despotic, and, in our government unconstitutional.” – Samuel Adams
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending on object of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison – Annals of Congress, House of Representatives, 3rd Congress, 1st Session, page 170
Those are GREAT quotes!
Saw yesterday that RDS asked President Trump to debate him one on one.
The audacity to remotely entertain our President would ever go into the gutter to do that is mind boggling.
This guy is out of straws to grasp.
He’s an embarrassment to himself and our country.
Perhaps he needs to join Obamas bitter clinger club.
He’s asked for a one on one debate with Trump before.
You have to EARN a seat at the big boy’s table. Faking how tall you are won’t get you on the ride.
I can’t get the image out of my head, DeSantis saying to his aids;
“I outa get ME some of these indictment thingies,…LOOK what its done to Trumps #’s!!”
Yes please; do this Ron! See how that works out for ya.
Speaking of debates, why is this a$$ debating Newsom? Is he running for Governor of California, too?? Newsom isn’t even “officially” running for President, so why give him any credibility???
Seems Ron did find himself a gutter rat after all.
He knows Trump wouldn’t lower himself to debate him. But if he did, there would be nothing left of Ron after the debate except a puddle on the floor.
Petulant, baby!
The great unveiling has started.
Luke 8:16-18 NIV
A Lamp on a Stand
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
“Desantis could have helped unite the Republican Party by endorsing President Trump for 2024. Instead, he chose to run against him and divide our country further in an act of sheer desperation.”
I think DeSantis was probably promised early on that Trump would be taken out of the running, via the Lawfare strategy, which was signed onto by the RNC leadership and Chamber of Commerce, and then he would already be positioned as the frontrunner. His ego, and his wife, allowed him to make the most disastrous political decision of his life and now, he will forever be relegated to the “dustbin of history”!
If you’re going to go against the King you better make da*n sure you don’t miss!
ANYBODY who still listens to Jeb Bush or Karl Rove deserves to be tossed aside for stupidity & insincerity.
After this coming to light, I do believe Vander whatsits stock just crashed. Taking payola for trash talk is not very Christian. But we do have those who veil themselves in labels.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Who is the biggest fraud ? The high water pants, lifted cowboy boot wearing Meatball! fraud or the so called “evangelical preacher” who sells his TDS endorsement to the highest bidder? 🤔
In our neck of the woods there is no division. At first a few said they were interested in him but quickly they changed their minds. Trump is the only candidate America supports.
Now we Floridians have this guy as an angry vindictive lame duck for the next 3 years. And if he were to resign, then we really got problems. We sure didn’t see this coming last November.
Meatball should have lost his job the 2nd he announced but our Florida representative made the change to protect the fool.
I feel badly for the citizens of FL, you all got hoodwinked.
Don’t feel even a teeny-tiny bit bad for DeSanctimonious.
FL didn’t get hoodwinked. The alternative was a gay crackhead.
A choice had to be made.
I moved here just afterwards, but I would have voted Desantis over Gollum even knowing what I know now.
Although maybe there was someone better, before Desantis became the nominee for Governor. I don’t know.
Two things can be true at the same time.
Did y’all at least quit paying him his governors salary while he’s campaigning for POTUS?
Or hold the Florida house reps feet to fire and rescind law protecting Top Gov
None of the above, guys. I think this is part of the negative fallout of the consolidation and demise of local media. Colin Powell’s son was chair of the FCC, and change the law allowing us to happen. So there’s virtually no coverage anywhere of local issues, or even State issues, really. I think about what would need to occur to change that. I think about it a lot. I have no answers
NOPE!
Then you were not listening to Sundance!
DeMeatball seems more like a Creeflo Dollar type of guy
VandarPlaats is quoted in the article: “My only regret is that we probably should have charged more”
WTF!?!??
DeSanctimonius and VandarPlaats:
2 grifter “Christians” corrupt to the core
Disgusting…
Makes me wonder what Joni Ernst and Kim Reynolds got….
Makes one wonder if Vander pants got to meet him. Some said early on when they went to meet and greets, Meatball did not impress. Some withdrew their endorsements and contributions after seeing how vapid he was..
Vanderflats just took donor’s hard-earned, generous contributions to make a political endorsement of a dead-end candidate. These big shot preachers will have a lot to answer for.
DeSantis has saved himself the embarrassment that Ted Cruz suffered by managing to self destruct before the RNC convention is held.
Of the two, the so-called “evangelical leader” nauseates me the most. I expect this BS from DeSanctimonious; I expect better from “evangelical leaders.” This “leader” gives the One he claims to serve a bad name!
Disgusting!
I am not all that surprised Kudzu.
So many leaders of organized religions have engaged in this behavior, for about as long as the politicians.
So many of both of them are suspect of self promotion.
Most recent debacle. Falwell Jr. Liberty Univ.
I’m not sure who to be more disgusted with more:
Meatball for paying a religious leader for a public endorsement?
OR,
A “so called” religious leader accepting money to support a politician?
What’s that thing about the love of money? And honesty, etc and everything else?
Some religious leader!
RDS more, only because he paid so much, for so little.
Preacher, as one con contesting with another, scores higher for the same reason, HE conned the campaign into giving him far more $ that the endorsement was worth.
So, in a depraved way, gotta sell “well done” to the Preacher, and hang your head, Ron.
At least if your gonna be a lieing, cheating, backstabbing scumsucking cheese-eater,…be GOOD at it!
Preacher is, RDS and team,…AREN’T.
Time to wheel out Tammy Faye….
🤣🤣🤣
Oh my, Ad Rem…. haven’t thought about her forever!
Reverend Ike – “don’t send me no coin change.!”
Oh nooooooo. Oh the humanity..
Oh my…Ad rem. Spit out a mouthful of wine on that picture!! Oh the memories!!
Are those TWO rings on her fingers or one giant ring? Poor baby – her makeup is melting.
Have you heard the joke about Tammy Faye going in for a facelift? After removing the layers of makeup the surgeon said -” I’ve just found Jimmy Hoffa!”
🤣😂🤣😂. Good one!!!
I saw a ladie T shirt one time, had eye make up smeared all over in the eyes area and lipstick smeared where the lips would be. Black lash stuff also. T shirt said ‘I ran into Tammy Faye.’
Jimmy Swaggart’s return to TV after being caught in flagrante delicto with a lady of the evening was must – watch comedy gold.
Where in holy scripture does one find authorization for a preacher to sell a political endorsement?
Answer: NOwhere.
We need Flip Wilson here to do a skit on this. He would be hilarious.
“The devil made me do it!”
Is he spending any time in FL doing his job?
Nope!!
When a candidate has to pay for an endorsement, it’s time to call it a day. Ronnie quit embarrassing yourself.
Isn’t it supposed to go the other way? Vander Platts endorses for free because he’s blinded by the genius of Lil Ron. How embarrassing.
Guess Vannity is still going to host the debate Nov 30 between Bobble head and Gavin the Hair. Hope Newsome mentions this.
I’ll be watching my pipes rust that night.
Newsom is going to mop the floor with Meatball.
Saw a body language expert clip on meatballs head bobbing. I’m Para phrasing because it’s been so long ago: ” That looks pretty weird to me.” He said..🤣🤣
The sound you hear is desanta’s poll numbers hitting rock bottom.
I looked at this Family Leader Foundations website, and apparently theyre hosting a Thanksgiving family forum tonight featuring desanta, nikki, and vivek. I dont know about the faiths of nimratta or vivek, but I wouldnt be excited about attending a “christian” function that rubs shoulders with non Christians. In fact, that foundation makes me feel uneasy.
The best voting advice that I heard from a Pastor is to vote for the candidate that is closest to being aligned with Christ.
Excellent advice from this Pastor about who to vote for “jus wundrin”.
He or she is the kind of religious leader I can have respect for.
They had that event last week. That’s when DeSantis supposedly made his case for the endorsement, according to Vander Platt.
Vivek is a
hindu
Don’t know about Nimratta but The Rapper is Hindu. Bet he could take a turkey leg to the bone real quick with those teeth. Nimratta never unclinches hers so she can drink her turkey thru a straw..
.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.
.
Refer to bkrg2 above
DeSantis could have helped unite the Republican Party by endorsing President Trump for 2024. Instead, he chose to run against him and divide our country further in an act of sheer desperation….
…but it was a really big check!
Jesus to Jansenist…can’t imagine why people don’t go to church anymore when the figureheads are all raging hypocrites.
Truly heartbreaking – those of us who have prodigals understand that many of them do have legitimate reasons to be angry with, or disillusioned by, the supposed Evangelical Christian Church in America!
Buying endorsements, WOW, that’s not a good look. I wonder if Ron paid for his friends growing up, too?
Morale of the story & as the saying goes… all the tea in China couldn’t buy his way into the WH! One thing’s for sure, anyone who still doesn’t see what a fraud he is, is wearing a blindfold.
Listen – do you hear the sound of one hand clapping? Me neither. Go away, DeSanctimonious!
I’m Christian.
You won’t find anywhere near this guy.
A corrupt “Religious leader” has taken money ?
Shouldn’t the FEC be all over this ?
All of the candidates that this “religious leader” has endorsed, have lost.
Only a moonbat would pay for his endorsement.
Nice transition from pastor to a political endorsing carnival barker:
Some people say, “God is dead.”
Well, God is not dead. And to prove He’s not dead, God’s gonna be in town this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and for a $95k donation you too can come and join Ron D and his desperation prayer campaign in an evening of fellowship…
hat tip: Richard Pryor
Thank you Richard!
DeSantis has done nothing right.
Shoulda coulda woulda, endorsed Pres Trump, from the git go. He blew it big time,. That road that could have, led him to ’28 as potus. What a disappointing loser. And here we go, another blunder, geesh.
DeSantis is a Judas. And people need to realize the word ‘christian’ these days, is nothing more than a buzzword for a grift. These fakes will fill their pockets and betray their own flock. Sadly there are still so many sheep in churches that take the easy Jesus, instead of discernment. Isn’t that due to the fact that the Elders need to evaluate their own lack of morals and values!
The Reuters article is from August but it’s worth reading.
Holy man is said to be a “kingmaker” previously endorsed Huckabee, Santorum, Cruz who all went on to win the Iowa caucus.
Previous record high “donation” was $25k from Santorum in 2012.
Besides meatball, ramaswampy and Tim Scott also paid the kingmaker this year and kingmaker is saying nice things about all 3. This is my shocked face 😂
DeSaster wasted his money on Bobby WonderPants who has a bad track record.
Huckabee, Santorum, Cruz all won the Iowa caucus — and then lost the POTUS race.
Cruz didn’t win. That was a steal, plain and simple.
This report is totally false!
I’ll bite…
What’s the truth then?
What report. Or did you miss the interview from the horses mouth?
If its illegal, It wont be the first time that Desantis has come up to the line of something being crooked and got away with it so I don’t Know how others feel about it, but if he should be given the Nomination for IOWA because of this man who endorsed him then he has truly crossed the line
especially with President Trump being so far ahead of this jerk. any way I only know that Desantis gets worse looking every time I see him in a new picture He thinks the world owes him something .
does anyone need anymore proof that Ron DeSantis is swimming in the deep end of the swamp… and willingly so.
I think not.
let him rot there, his career is over already.. nothing but final gasps are left.
In Miami two weeks ago Casey was spotted on a hotel balcony waving her opera gloved arms and singing “Don’t cry for me Argentina.”
“And as for fortune, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions, they’re not the solutions they promised to be
The answer was here all the time
I love you, and hope you love me
Don’t cry for me, Argentina (Florida)”
🤣🤣🤣🤣
That’s not an endorsement. It’s a torn ticket stub from the Carnival Freak Show.
Ad rem thanks for holding down our tree fort while our humble host is busy elsewhere blessings and prayers for you both
R.D.
^^^^ THIS! ^^^^
So does this ‘evangelical leader’ think morals like his will get him into heaven?
A camel would have an easier time getting through the eye of a needle.
“Evangelical leader”
Not anymore.
https://x.com/bobvanderplaats/status/1727346390588944674?s=20
🤥🤥👖🔥
“Vander Plaats, who is the president and CEO of the Family Leader, has endorsed the winner of the last three contested GOP caucuses: Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012 and Ted Cruz in 2016. None of them went on to win the nomination. “
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/11/21/bob-vander-plaats-endorsement-ron-desantis-iowa-caucuses-family-leader-donald-trump-evangelicals/71672317007/
Sounds like Vanderplaat’s endorsement is like “the kiss of death”.
Il bacio della morte. Had to Godfather that phrase up. 😁
With a track record like that Vander Plaats must be the Dave Ramsey of political advise.
Bob wuz Robbed!
Fakest campaign in history.
A fake campaign for a faux opposition of the preferred candidate to defeat in the general election.
Your will as a voter is not a factor in their calculus. Not that their calculations are completely based in reality. Reality is knocking, hilarity ensures.