Posted on 09/26/2005 8:51:03 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
TRENTON, N.J. - Black clergy who endorsed Sen. Jon Corzine (news, bio, voting record) for governor Monday found themselves on the defensive over $2.5 million in donations the senator's foundation has made to their churches.
Corzine's opponent in the governor's race, Republican businessman Doug Forrester, mentioned the wealthy Democrat's generosity to black churches during a news conference earlier Monday, implying that Corzine's gifts might have influenced the ministers' endorsement.
"I don't know which particular ministers will be casting their lot with Sen. Corzine and don't know what individual relationships they may have in terms of financial ones with the Corzine campaign," Forrester said before the ministers announced their support of Corzine.
The two candidates addressed the Black Ministers' Council of New Jersey on Sept. 12. Though the group does not make endorsements, 15 ministers who belong to the group came to the Statehouse Monday to stand with Corzine and give individual testimonials on his behalf.
Asked whether the donations — $1.8 million to the Rev. Calvin McKinney's Calvary Baptist Church in Garfield for a new church and more than $700,000 to other black churches, according to published reports — make it appropriate for them to endorse a candidate, the ministers bristled.
McKinney said he was endorsing Corzine for his stance on the issues and his vision for New Jersey, not because of a contribution to his church.
Corzine said the donation to Calvary Baptist was made in 2003, before he contemplated a gubernatorial run.
"The goal of what I have done with my charitable contributions is the same as it is in my public life: to try and make the world a little bit better," Corzine said.
Forrester has made one donation of more than $1,000 to a black church, said his spokeswoman, Sherry Sylvester.
Blacks make up about 11 percent of the New Jersey electorate.
It's pathetic how many black ministers can be bought. I guess anyone can be bought, but this is particularly hazardous in the black community where honest leadership is desperately needed.
I think this violates teh seperation between church and state!
And where is the outrage about radical left wing churches supporting these democtrats?
It doesn't get any more bizarre than this.
Sadly this is the norm, just look at that sham preacher T.D.Jakes who would not denounce that rapper's racist remarks. Questions were asked about his wealth, he lives in a mansion, drives a Bently and states he is not ashamed. Members of his church are living in the worst public housing projects, depend on public transportation and recieve every gov't. entitlement there is to have; some of their churches are almost like cults, mindless devotion, no questions asked. These black churches are an extension of the DEM. party and recieve lg. donations regularly.
time for a parody based on the song "can't buy me love" around the theme "can buy my vote"
"just look at that sham preacher T.D.Jakes...Members of his church are living in the worst public housing projects, depend on public transportation and recieve every gov't. entitlement there is to have; These black churches are an extension of the DEM. party and recieve lg. donations regularly."
I think you're on to something, though to call these churches an extension of the Democratic Party is an oversimplification. In fact, it might be just as accurate to say the Democratic Party is an extension of these churches, since the black vote is truly the base, the sine qua non, of the party. A small proportion of donations come from politicians or the Democratic Party, but as in the story above, the donations that do come can be politically potent. Shakedowns are indeed commonplace. But most of the donations come from lower- or lower-middle-income black families who tithe in good faith so that idiots like T.D. Jakes can buy fancy suits. Disgusting.
Well, with these sorts of donations going to churches I guess we can get rid of taxes!
btw, nice tag line, I know just what you mean!
In fact, it might be just as accurate to say the Democratic Party is an extension of these churches, since the black vote is truly the base, the sine qua non, of the party.
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I was a poll watcher in NC during the election in a poor black area and dem party officials stood outside and gave each person who walked in a chart exactly how to vote on all the candidates, all the issues etc... I forget the exact statistics, but most of the ballots were marked exactly the same way. Very sad and it was all legal, as it should be, and im sure Republicans do the same thing... but probably to a lesser degree.
"Blacks make up about 11 percent of the New Jersey electorate."
And if each one gets only "1" vote Forrester will win in a landslide.
This is old news. corzine bought these guys when he ran for senate.
Great comments above.
Ol' Jonny's gonna buy himself a govvership, jes' like he bought that Senate seat.
Problem is, unless he stops acting stupid in public, he'll go no higher, much as he'd like to.
The corruption that works in Jersey, stays in Jersey. The rest of the country'd be horrified if they knew what happened in the swamps.
Remember the flack Ed Rollins took when he admitted to bribing the black preachers to NOT support Whitman's opponent?
Like they were with Clinton's corruption?
Do the three words "no big deal..." and "everyone does it..." jog any memories?
Yes they do, Uncle Joe. Yes they do.
Corzine's a smart guy, but he's got the Jersey Democrat disease: he'll do anything to win.
Watch him in the next 8 years. He's settin' himself up for a run at the White House.
He's so shifty, I wouldn't be surprised to see him join the Republican party.
After all, he was a bond trader, and he'd trade anything for the Presidency.
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