I wish I could tell you when I read, with interest, the column by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Debra Saunders in which she reveals the connection between admitted-criminal Jack Abramoff and Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, that I was surprised. Hardly. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t surprised at all, which is too bad.If you aren’t familiar with the Traditional Values Coalition, it is an organization that has done a lot of good work over the years advocating for socially conservative causes. But they have been plagued over the years by sometimes public and often private criticism because Reverend Lou Sheldon, the organization’s founder and front man, seems to have an addiction to money. Enough so that he has a pattern of apparently subordinating the priorities that he places on his ‘values’ when there are profits to be made.
So when I read in Saunder’s piece that Sheldon had apparently taken a $25,000 contribution to his organization and then suddenly the "Reverend" (the quotes are not because Lou is not a Reverend, but because he uses the title freely, implying that he has the values of a pious clergyman, which he only has when a client hasn’t paid him off, apparently). I don’t mean to sound to razor-sharp in my criticism, but this Ambramoff/Sheldon revelation has finally caused me to blow my top. After all, Sheldon has had no trouble talking up the evils of gambling over the years, but after a check from Abramoff, Sheldon is willing to publicly oppose legislation to curb internet gambling. I seem to recall a big story in the local papers years ago about how he was involved in some way with fighting gambling expansion in one area (consistent with his espoused beliefs, right?) but then was discovered to have been taking payments from a competing gambling interest to do so. I am hazy on these details, and I remember that his son, Steve (a good friend) was involved with this – though Steve doesn’t stand ‘on the mount’ preaching values, he is a businessman (a very accomplished one) who is clear that he does lobbying and advocacy for a living.
Anyways, let me throw out my personal Lou Sheldon experience for you all. Back in the mid-90’s there was a contentious GOP primary for the Republican nomination for United States Senate — and a clear contrast in choices. You had the conservative now-Congressman Darrell Issa, whose positions on social issues are very traditional for the GOP, and quite conservative. Then there was Matt Fong, then the State Treasurer, who was definitely a moderate GOPer. He treated social issues like they were radioactive, preferring to avoid them. He was no conservative on these issues by any stretch. Back then, before I knew better, it raised my eyebrows when Lou Sheldon endorsed Fong, and was a very overt supporter of his nomination. He even came to a California Republican Assembly endorsing convention (CRA is the state’s largest, and most conservative Republican organization), and gave a nomination speech for Fong. This was controversial as it was revealed that, in fact, Sheldon took a big check (more than he got from Abramoff, if I recall) by the Fong campaign for his support. I was so angry (you see, I was the State President of the CRA at the time) that after the CRA endorsed Issa, I was quoted in Human Events Magazine, by its Political Editor, John Gizzi, decrying Lou Sheldon as a "Rent-A-Reverend."
I don’t begrudge people’s ability or right to make a living. This is America, and everyone should be applauded for embracing the free-market system, and bettering their financial condition. But it is obnoxious and hypocritical to found and head an organization cloaked in the mantra of "family values" and then create an environment where your advocacy against these very causes can be seemingly ‘purchased’ — and it is even worse that Lou throws "Reverend" in front of his name wherever he goes. Not because he isn’t a Reverend, which he is (I’ve been at a wedding he performed), but because using the title seems to imply a piety that he does not live up to — what kind of Reverend subordinates the values he espouses for a price?
If it sounds like I am ‘blowing up’ over this – well, enough is enough. Lou and his wife have always been very personally kind to me, and I am friends with his sons, and an acquaintance of his daughter. I just am angered by those who preach (an appropriate word for the "Reverend") one thing and do another.
The worst part is that the Traditional Values Coalition has, over the years, done a lot of good work. Great people work for the group who are true believers who are committed activists. While Lou’s apparent greed makes him look bad, and is embarrassing for the conservative movement, it is really the Traditional Values Coalition that is the loser.
I mean, think about it. Then next time you get an appeal from the TVC to send your check now to help [insert the cause], do you really want to? I’m just waiting to see Lou testify against the nomination of Sam Alito to the Supreme Court, and then wait to find out that there was a big check cut to the TVC from Ted Turner. Good grief. My good friend, Ben Lopez, does some policy advocacy for the group. I can only imagine how hard his job will be now, as once-again Lou’s thirst for profit severaly injures the credibility of the TVC.
Okay, I am off of my soapbox for today.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Jon