Nathan Sproul's Spending Spree

Nathan Sproul, in case you didn't know, is The Enemy.

Formerly the head of the Arizona Christian Coalition and executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, Sproul is often called Arizona's Karl Rove.

Sproul runs the political consulting firm Sproul and Associates, and works closely with Lee Petitions. He is 'regional president' of Voyager Learning, a private educational company focusing on literacy programming that was founded to take advantage of NCLB's over $1.0 billion in funding for the Reading First Initiative, and which has been implicated in political kick-backs to election officials. Sproul also has ownsership interests in several corporations that now run charter schools in Arizona under the Franklin tradename, busily indoctrinating children with character and civic values education (and which don't apparently teach science courses, btw) on the taxpayer's dime. Check out the website for this one: looks like junior is a Republican running for office. Desert Rat Democrat has Mr. Sproul's resume, should you wish to hire him.

In 2004, the RNC contracted with Sproul for an $8+ million voter registration drive which the RNC attempted to hide. A campaign during which it is alleged that Sproul's employees intentionally destroyed Democratic citizens' registration forms at Sproul's command. This occurred in swing states across the country - Sproul must be so proud of his ability to subvert democracy.

Sproul was behind the Nader petition drive in 2004, in attempt to siphon votes off from Kerry in Arizona, and the effort to kill Arizona's Clean Elections system by initiative. No doubt, Sproul was also involved with his bossom-budy, former Arizona Speaker, Jeff Groscost (don't you love that Dickensian name?) in the $100 million alt-fuels boondoggle. In fact, I've heard it alleged by people in the know that Sproul had a stake the company that originally developed the 'conversion' package installed to collect the tax benefit, convinced Groscost to sponsor the program, and made mad money from selling conversions before the wheels came off. Now Sproul is in bed with right-wing Gubernatorial challenger Les Munsil, and may have illegally donated services to that campaign in violation of Arizona law. Sproul is also behind the divisive and bigoted Protect Marriage Arizona initiative.

Are you loving this guy, yet?

Sproul is also a major contributor to Arizona's federal campaigns. Considering how wealthy his political connections, dirty tricks, and corruption have made him, it's only fair he give some back. In the last several years Sproul has given almost $33,000 to Arizona candidates and the Republican Party. Almost everyone got a taste (apparently, Mr. Sproul didn't cotton to Rep. Kolbe):

• John Kyl:            $3,975.00
• J.D. Hayworth:   $1,000.00
• Dick Renzi:         $2,750.00
• Trent Franks:      $2,200.00
• John Shadegg:     $1,200.00
• Jeff Flake:          $5,000.00
• AZ GOP:              $16,789.00

Sproul also contributed to many state and local candidates and campaigns. Perhaps the least surprising of which, given his clear pecuniary interest in Arizona educational policy, is the $920.00 he and his wife Tiffany have contributed to the campaigns of Tom Horne, the current Republican Superintendant of Public Instruction.

The scary thing about Nathan Sproul is that he meets the ethical standards of our current system of institutionalized bribery and influence pedaling. He has not yet been proven to have broken any law, nor violated any rule that would bar him from acting as a lobbyist in good standing. Despite the volume of sleaze dripping off everything he has ever touched, Sproul is a model businessman, entreprenuer, and political operative in the eyes of the GOP establishment; and, were Democrats in power, I seriously doubt they would refuse to do business with him, either. Mr. Sproul is not some inherently perverse or evil person, he's simply playing the game by the rules provided - though, granted, he may bend them more than some. Ultimately, this is the problem; not Mr. Sproul.

Comments

[Zelph]

Actually Sproul ought to be jail, by all rights. He committed blatant voter registration fraud in several states. The fact, that the authorities have chosen not to prosecute him does not mean that he is an "upstanding citizen". Sproul, like many of the Christian Right, believe in a God who is so impotent that they must lie, cheat and steal on his behalf.

[kralmajales]

Given this thread about the underhanded dealings of Sproul and his contributions, I would like to know your thoughts on the fact that Patty Weiss took almost the max from Don Diamond, republican developer and supporter one of our chief opponents in the fall (Huffman)?

This guy has done more to bring sprawl to Arizona than most anyone and has fought environmental concerns tooth and nail.

There are Republicans supporting Giffords, but they are actually supporting her in the fall.

[Dave]

First, how did it come to pass that Sproul is standing in front of a photo of Dick Mahoney?

Second, considering the thread about underhanded contributions, what are your thoughts about the fact that Gabrielle Giffords singlehandedly killed the AHCCCS reimbursement bill that would have required employers to reimburse the state for their employees' AHCCCS costs, and she has since taken mega-bucks from executives whose companies benefited most from that bill being killed, like numerous members of the Basha family? Mega-corporations like Wal-Mart and Basha's offer employees such expensive health plans and such low wages that their employees can't afford those plans, and they instead have to use AHCCCS, which you and I pay for.

[kralmajales]

What do I think about that committee vote you speak of Dave? I absolutely don't care one iota because the bill would have never made it past a floor vote in the Senate or House. This issue is still such a non-starter. I respect that some dug through thousands of votes by Ms. Giffords and did manage to find this one.

I don't respect that the rest of her incredible record is ignored for this one committee vote.

[Ruth Uppena]

Nathan Sproul--remember that the "end does not justify the means".

[Moses]

Hey Nathan Nice work and keep beating those liberals with half your brain tied behind your back!!! Your Pillsbury buddies.......we still love you! Take that you left wingers.

Your friend in Minneapolis

JW and DN