NAACP Leader Endorses Anti-Gay Republican Candidate for Iowa Governor

 

Rev. Keith A. Ratliff Sr., President of the Iowa-Nebraska chapter of the NAACP, endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Bab Vander Plaats Monday at a news conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

 

 

“I know that Bob Vander Plaats is not afraid to stand up for what is right,” Ratliff said. “That takes courage.”

 

Vander Plaats has worked hard to get the backing of social and religious conservatives.

 

 

Of the five candidates against same-sex marriage seeking the republican nomination, Vander Plaats is the only one pledging, on his first day in office, to issue an executive order to place a stay on all same-sex marriages and place the issue on a ballot for Iowans to vote on.

 

Ratliff said that was a significant component in his endorsement.

 

"It's an important factor," he said. "He's talked about the importance of defending the institution of marriage."

 

Ratliff also says Democrat Chet Culver’s inability to meaningfully address racially biased hiring practices uncovered during the previous administration played a role.

 

The state currently is the subject of a class-action lawsuit claiming widespread racial bias in hiring alleged by African Americans around the state.

 

He cited Culver’s 2007 executive order with "no teeth" meant to reduce disparities in the hiring of minorities by state government.

 

"I think it's reprehensible what has taken place, and I think it's taken too long to get this process moving in a positive direction," Ratliff said.

 

The order created a diversity council to encourage more minority hiring and required diversity training for state employees.  10,000 of the 43,000 employees have received training, according to the governor’s aide. 

 

Vander Plaats has not spoken about the minority hiring practices during his 10-month campaign and has failed to offer any specifics to address the issue.

 

"There is definitely a place for minorities in my administration," Vander Plaats said.

 

Radliff’s endorsement comes days after President Obama’s speech at a HRC fundraising dinner, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond’s speech at the National Equality March on Washington, and a month after Vander Plaats own controversial comments about Obama.

 

Saturday, Obama told a crowd of nearly 3,000 that he would repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Defense of Marriage Act and sign the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, protecting GBLT people from workplace discrimination.  He went on to reiterate that he was a fierce ally of the queer community.

 

"I’m here with a simple message: I’m here with you in that fight," Obama proclaimed.

Sunday, Bond spoke to the participants of the National Equality march and told them that “applying for a marriage license” could “change the world.”

 

Last month Vander Plaats got heat from Democrats for saying “That’s why Barack Obama has been really, really good for two industries – guns and ammunition.”  The comments came while he was criticizing Democrat’s plans for health care reform at a dinner hosted by Black Hawk Republicans.

 

An Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalized gay marriage in the spring.

 

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