Lobbyists Running Santorum's Faith-Based Charity

WTAE TV Pittsburgh ^ | March 8, 2006 | Jim Parsons

[red flanker]

Sen. Rick Santorum calls himself the Republican point man on lobbying reform in Washington.

But Santorum's reform plan doesn't deal at all with lobbyists running charities on behalf of members of Congress.

Good thing for the Senator, because Team 4 has discovered that's exactly who's in charge of his charity, Operation Good Neighbor.

Santorum has been handing out lots of checks from his charity, Operation Good Neighbor, since he formed it in 2001.

"To me, it was part of a mission that I set out, which is I'm a great believer in the non-profit sector. I strongly believe we have an obligation to try to get more money into that," Santorum said.

But Santorum's charity has also put money -- $216,000 -- into unexplained travel and meetings through 2004.

[CatherineofAragon]

I’ve seen your piece around FR, but being a Newt supporter, I didn’t take the time to read it. Until now.

My late father was a veteran of WWII, and few things touch my heart like an old soldier. I liked Santorum pretty well, but not anymore.

Thanks for writing it...I hope it does some good.

[no dems]

An overhead of 50% to 60% for a faith-based charity that raised millions of dollars over the years should have sent off alarm bells and Santorum and his campaign will not be able to stonewall questions especially during a presidential run.

Oh sh**. This smacks of a scam. I will not give to any Charity that has a 50% overhead. I quit giving to The American Red Cross for that reason. I only give to the Boy Scouts of America and The Salvation Army. (And my church, of course.)

[no dems]

nice try buddy. while you’re at it, how about bringing up Newt’s unexplained travel and other expenses during the campaign

Hey, I'm a Conservative, but, if Newt and Rick both are on the take, then to hell with both of them. HOW DID WE END UP WITH SUCH SHI**Y CANDIDATES THIS ELECTION CYCLE?

[no dems]

Well, Rick boy, now, maybe it’s time for Newt to start demanding that YOU get out of the race.

[no dems]

Sounds like a leftist whacko to me, but if he promotes your agenda, feel free to hop in bed with him. Just don't expect the rest of us to take him seriously.

Well, Joe, if you're not working on your second 6-pack about now, I'd say this to you. Let's hear what /Rev. Rick has to say. If he stammers and stumbles his way through this, then it's time for him to go. I do NOT give to any charity that takes 50% for overhead. That's why I NEVER give to The American Red Cross. (Supposedly, they've changed their policy after being exposed, but it's too little too late for me.)

Come on Rev. Rick; let's hear your side of the story. Oh, I bet, you didn't know there was a 50-60 percent overhead did you? Uh huh.....

[Joe 6-pack]

I'm sure Rick responded to this back in 2006 when this hit piece was first unveiled, no doubt on behalf of Casey's campaign.

Don't you folks have anything new?

[true believer forever]

thank you. I take a lot of flack for posting my stuff because people call me a blog pimp, but I never post my blog, it is private for a group of young military I mentor, and we value our privacy. And I just decided someone has to try and shake the santorum supporters awake. so I have just gotten tough and let them say what they want.

I am from a military family, also, and I know what you mean. There’s really something about every soldier, no matter what age - the humility and the quiet courage, and the never taking, always giving. for santorum to do this, it is so blatantly obscene, and takes it outside the realm of politics as far as I am concerned. I am sure I am not being unbiased.

[no dems]

I’m not trying to dig up anything on Santorum. I just want everyone vetted so there will be no October surprise right before the Election.

[Berlin_Freeper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=167IhlXnN2Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[CatherineofAragon]

We really do need Newt. Let’s keep praying...

[Amntn]

Bump for later

[Cicero]

Boy, this posting of propaganda smears from the left wing press never ceases.

A charity that costs money to run! With travel and other expenses!

Regretably, it’s impossible to run a charity without spending that kind of money. Even most religious organizations are forced to spend a good part of their funds on expenses. And, although I haven’t looked recently, many of the best known charities spend more than 90% on expenses. I don’t excuse that, but it seems to be very hard to avoid.

[Admin Moderator]

The Washington Post has imposed copyright restrictions against Free Republic. All Washington Post material must be properly excerpted, attributed and a link provided before it can be posted on Free Republic.

A photo image of an article is impossible to excerpt so please do not post photo images of any articles.

Here's an important link to refer to whenever posting published material:

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Thanks.

[true believer forever]

Thank you very much for explaining that to me. I just sent you a mail asking why it had been deleted. And thank you so much for that link, I will read and keep it. I am really still learning how Free Republic works, and I apologize for the mistake. You are one of the nice admins!!

[true believer forever]

this is going to sound really dumb, but so be it. the little prayer that has been bubbling in my heart during my days, that last 2 days, while I am so busy and can’t really pray in a focused way, has been this: Lord, please bring Newt a game changer. Please bring Newt a game change. and all the people said amen, and amen.

so if you would like to agree... amen once more.

[jwalsh07]

It’s very different with Newt. He sounds like he means what he says, really thinks about it and believes it.

Yeah, like all 3 times he said "I Do".

[Toespi]

I think Santorum probably would have won Ohio, but he did not carry many of the lake Erie counties nor will he in Pennsylvania. The reason is, while he was senator he proposed a bill that would have ended free NOA weather VHF broadcasting, wanting to charge users a fee. He felt it was unfair to private weather reporting agencies, many thought this had lobbying written all over it. Boaters rely heavily on these weather broadcasts, being the greatest safety tool on a vessel. Our marina alone held over 750 boats and I remember at the time this was being proposed, the boaters were furious. Our entire marina was up in arms. It was sheer stupidity.

[Joe 6-pack]

What many leftists (and apparently some on our side) fail to understand is that charity is more than just money. Event sponsorship, fundraisers, etc. require an investment, and while the returns in dollars may be relatively small, it allows a community to coalesce around the cause at hand, builds additional public interest in the charity and raises a little money as an aside.

A local charity here sponsored by area contractors gives away a brand new house every year. Once the ticket sales are tallied, there's really a small monetary gain on what the contractors contribute, but it raises public consciousness, and gets a group of people working toward a common cause, and oh by the way...somebody wins a free house out of the deal. Nothing unseemly about it.

[true believer forever]

You almost have it exactly reversed. Industry standards state funds to the focus of the charity should be 75-80% of donations, with the 20-25% for overhead. There really cannot be a major charity with the ratio you cite, it would be a scandal and out of business, maybe even under indictment.