One Iowa in the News: Family Leader Talks Presidential Endorsement

from KCCI-TV.

CLIVE, Iowa -- The Iowa Family Leader, an Iowa Christian group backing a same-sex marriage ban and other "pro-family" issues, said Tuesday it will remain neutral and not endorse a candidate for president at this time.

Leader Bob Vander Plaats said the group will not take sides in the caucus process. The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Jan. 3.

While the group didn't endorse a candidate on Tuesday, Vander Plaats said he personally endorses Rick Santorum. Chuck Hurley also said he personally endorses Rick Santorum. Hurley was the president of Iowa Family Policy Center, which is now part of the Iowa Family Leader.

Vander Plaats and Hurley took off their Family Leader lapel pins and had the Family Leader sign removed from the front of the podium before making their personal endorsements.

Vander Plaats said the group's endorsement could be a big deal two weeks from the caucuses. He said the group is looking for a candidate who has character, "pro-family" vision and the ability to beat President Barack Obama in the election.

"I'm going to mobilize whatever resouces may be at my disposal to advocate for him (Santorum.) I will not tear down another candidate because we have other good candidates in this race and if one of those candidates emerge as our nominee, I'll get fully behind that candidate," said Vander Plaats.

Hurley said he personally endorses Santorum because he meets and exceeds biblical qualifications: capable, God-fearing, etc. He said Santorum is passionately linking national renewal to "strong families."

...One Iowa Executive Director Troy Price said, "Today’s endorsement of Rick Santorum by Bob Vander Plaats comes as no surprise. Both Santorum and Vander Plaats have all built their careers attacking loving and committed gay and lesbian couples, and the fact is that Vander Plaats caved to the extreme social conservative agenda. With poll numbers lagging, it is clear Rick Santorum does not have a chance against President Obama in November, and Vander Plaats has endorsed a losing candidate.

"Today's announcement proves what we have known all along: Bob Vander Plaats is out of touch with what voters want. What Iowans care about are jobs and the economy, and they deserve a candidate who does, too."

Read the full article from KCCI-TV.
Read more One Iowa in the News.
Read more In the News.
Find out more about the candidates--visit One Iowa's Caucus Tracker!