Posted on 01/31/2016 3:17:18 PM PST by TBP
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump unleashed a slew of Twitter attacks on Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats Sunday morning, the second time he has done so in less than a week.
Trump says that Vander Plaats, head of the Iowa-based Family Leader, asked him to stay in his hotels for free and also requested he speak at an event while seeking $100,000 for himself.
He made the same statements on Tuesday in a similar Twitter storm. At that time, Vander Plaats said he and his family stayed for free in Trump's hotels because Trump insisted he do so in hopes of getting his endorsement. When Vander Plaats instead backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump attacked, Vander Plaats said.
As to Trump's claim that Vander Plaats sought $100,000 for himself, the Des Moines Register's chief political reporter Jennifer Jacobs contacted the group to whom Trump spoke.
The paper found that Trump was paid $100,000 to speak at Iowa's Land Investment Expo a year ago, directly contradicting Trumpâs claim.
While the speech was Vander Plaats' idea, he was paid nothing, records showed.
There was no indication why Trump chose Sunday morning to reignite his Vander Plaats attacks, but caucusing is set for the Hawkeye State Monday night. Trump is in the lead in the latest polls, but Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is nipping at his heels.
Vander Plaats also replied to Trump on Sunday, saying his endorsement can't be bought.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
“So, youâre saying he sold his relationship with God for luxury accommodations? Are you kidding? Have you ever heard of forgiveness?”
Hey, Vander Plaats doesn’t need my forgiveness. He needs the forgiveness of the folks he leads. He doesn’t seem to think he did anything wrong, and thinks he can just pay for the rooms after getting caught.
His credibility is shot. It’s takes some folks longer to figure it out for themselves. You’ll get there. When is the last time you took your family for a luxury hotel stay?
So did Obama.
Man alive, you go after Vander Plaats for the minor nits (as if any sin) is minor (not!) — and seem forgive the destruction of human life (supported by Trump), abuse of women, violation of two sacred marriage covenants, and use of women for a strip club. You go after Vander Plaats from here to eternity, but the problem is Trump. He is mean, vicious and crude when he doesn’t get his way. He didn’t get his way with Vander Plaats — and he’s made as hell. I THINK YOU NEED TO GET IT, but I don’t expect you to ever see Trump’s problems.
Excellent point. Trump fills stadiums like Obama, and he’s a blank slate like Obama. Trump can be anything you want him to be.
Great level of maturity there kid.
Maybe Trump will hire you.
“His credibility is shot.”
I’ll admit I’d never heard of this Bob guy before this discussion. So I’ve been reading up on him for the last hour. Seems like he’s nothing more than a failed politician who finally realized he’s probably never going to get elected, so he got involved in what’s essentially a PAC. That way he still gets to feel important, rub shoulders with candidates, and found a way to cash in by appointing himself to be THE voice of evangelicals in the nation’s first primary caucus state.
Bob made a million bucks off of endorsing Santorum. Trump ought to look into how much money Bob made for endorsing Cruz and which channels were used to funnel it to him. Bob’s most valuable asset is his endorsement, and he’s proven it doesn’t come cheap. I highly doubt he all of the sudden had some kind of come to Jesus moment and endorsed Cruz for free.
And, by the way, did you know that Megyn Kelly is a bimbo?
I’m not sure it’s right to pray for Trump’s downfall but I consider it to be in the line of praying for the country.
Trump is a horrible man who is also an excellent con man and who has convinced a lot of people he’d be a good president.
So, yeah, I’m praying that people wake up in time.
Wait now. One day you are trying to intimate that Trump is showing the early signs of Alzheimer’s. Then a few days later you would have us believe he is a cunning con artist. So which is it because I’m pretty sure he can’t be both. :-)
I think it’s perfectly right to pray for Trump’s downfall. Why in the name of heaven itself would I want a leader who is a serial adulterer, a strip club owner and a long-time supporter of partial birth abortion? My Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people. It also says that the righteous rejoice when the wicked are brought down. I want to rejoice.
“Bob made a million bucks off of endorsing Santorum”
False statement.
“False statement.”
Evidently, there’s a number of people who have said otherwise.
“Man alive, you go after Vander Plaats for the minor nits “
At least you and I can see that what Vander Plaats did was ethically incorrect. We’re on the same side. The only one who can’t seem to see it is Vander Plaats himself!
Just trying to understand how FReepers think this is OK for Trump to do and not Hillary?
“Evidently, thereâs a number of people who have said otherwise.”
No named person made any such accusation. Only “unnamed sources”.
From your article: “”What he talked about was he needed money to promote the endorsement and that that would be important to do that,” Santorum told CNN. “There was never a direct ask for me to go out and raise money for it.”
Asking money to publicize an endorsement is quite different from asking for money for yourself.
I don’t know Vander Plaats, but I know Trump accused him of taking $100,000 to arrange a Trump speech, and the organization said it was TRUMP who took $100,000 and Vander Plaats got $0.
That is an outside organization confirming Vander Plaats’ side, and directly contradicting who Trump said got the money.
Maybe Vander Plaats is dirty, but if so, it seems Trump is dirtier - taking money for a speech, then lying and saying Vander Plaats took it.
Trump is a fundamentally dishonest man. He lies about everything. He has had many failed businesses, and he has repeatedly lied about them. Why would ANYONE believe Donald Trump about anything?
Conservatives do NOT have to agree with each other, and no one is required to worship or believe Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, or any of the other candidates.
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