Hate Group Leader Bob Vander Plaats "Pay-For-Play" Scandal

Among the likely self-loathing closeted gay Christianists, Bob Vander Plaats (pictured at right) has few rivals when it comes to how low he will stoop in order to denigrate LGBT citizens and strive to deprive us of civil legal rights. Thus, Vander Plaats and Rick "frothy mix" Santorum at first blush appear to be a perfect match and birds of a feather when it comes to outwardly preaching anti-gay hatred and intolerance. And not surprisingly based on this shared homophobia, Vander Plaats gave his personal endorsement to Santorum. Now, however, based on reports coming out of Iowa, more than a shared hatred of gays may have been involved in Vander Plaats' endorsement of Santorum. Indeed, it seems that Vander Plaats' endorsement was for sale to the highest bidder. Think Progress looks at the "pay for play" scandal that is breaking surrounding Vander Plaats who is a truly noxious element in Iowa politics. Here are some highlights:

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.

A former staffer for Mitt Romney’s 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.”

Meanwhile, Rick Santorum revealed yesterday that Michele Bachmann was not the only candidate Vander Plaats called to suggest she drop out. Both he and Rick Perry received similar requests.

Progress Iowa has launched a petition calling on the Federal Elections Commission to investigate The FAMiLY LEADER for potential illegal campaign coordination . . . . . Bob Vander Plaats’ solicitation of funds to promote his endorsement of Rick Santorum raises serious questions about further coordination between a political campaign and an outside group.

I have always viewed Vander Plaats as a despicable sleaze bag. This story underscores the reality that most of the "family values" leaders are morally bankrupt and make a tawdry whore look virtuous in comparison. I'd also note that given scientific research that has demonstrated that vociferous homophobes are the most sexually aroused by gay porn, Vander Plaats obviously has some serious mental health issues that need either (i) professional treatment by someone other than an "ex-gay" therapy snake oil merchant like "Marci" Bachmann, or (ii) a rambunctious round of hot gay sex to alleviate Vander Plaats' self hate and self-loathing..