The Faith and Family Alliance was nothing short of a disgusting corrupt organization. Here is a good piece on them from Norm Leahy at Tertium Quids:
I’ve been reading an old Bob Gibson column “527 Group is anything but friendly” from the Daily Progress. It was published around the time of the 2000 Republican primary between Steve Martin and Eric Cantor and features The Faith and Family Alliance. The piece was written before the Abramoff money-angle was established, but there’s one thread that does stick out:
It was set up, in this case, under the guidance of political consultant Tim Phillips, who was employed in federal elections in Virginia this year by Republicans George W. Bush of Texas and Stephen H. Martin of Chesterfield County.
And later, this:
[Kevin] Gentry and [Phil] Cox said Phillips approached them about founding it as directors.
Later, it was Phillips who found Robin Vanderwall to run the group at an RPV convention. Vanderwall described their relationship this way in Bob’s article:
Vanderwall, 32, is president of the the Faith and Family Alliance and a friend of Phillips who said he has worked with him on campaigns but never for him.
Interesting. Phillips seems to be a central player, but there’s almost nothing — no comments, nothing — from him on the group or its activities.
Given the group’s spectacular flame-out and its link to Jack Abramoff, perhaps his reticence is understandable. But it does leave many questions unanswered.
