Vander Plaats Says Family Leadership Summit to Focus on Faith, Family and Politics

If you ask Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader, this weekend's Family Leadership Summit in Waukee is nothing more than a chance for like-minded conservatives to gather and discuss what's important to them.

While Vander Plaats was mum on the subject of any possible agenda at Saturday's Summit, he did say there would be a special announcement around 2:30 p.m. that day. He did not provide a hint of what that might entail.

Vander Plaats is a familiar and powerful presence in Iowa Republican politics. He has run unsuccessfully for governor three times, but two years ago was able to harness opposition to the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling that allowed same-sex marriage. That opposition ousted three members of the court who were up for retention in 2010.

Last week the for his vote on the same sex marriage ruling, saying that he was among a handful of judges who overstepped his authority in deciding the matter. Wiggins will be on the November ballot for retention.'

Vander Plaats also helped galvanize conservative pastors opposed to same-sex marriage. One of those was Jeff Mullen, pastor of Point of Grace Church where the summit will be held. Mullen earlier this year lost a GOP primary race, where he campaigned in part on his opposition to gay marriage.

Vander Plaats wouldn't specify the topics on Saturday's agenda, but said "marriage between a man and a woman" would be among them.

Who's at Saturday's Summit?

The lineup includes three former GOP presidential candidates, plus members of Iowa's Congressional delegation and noted speakers.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was just added this week to the roster that already includes Sen. Rick Santorum and Gov. Mike Huckabee -- both winners of the Iowa caucuses. The three conservative leaders will join New York Times best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg, Dr. Laurence White, Sen. Chuck Grassley, and Congressman Steve King at the podium.

Also among the list of speakers Saturday are media panelists Sam Clovis, Steve Deace, and Jan Mickelson, Joel Rosenberg, David Bossie from Citizens United, Brian Brown from the National Organization for Marriage, and Vander Plaats himself.

Vander Plaats said The Family Leader invited both President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney to the summit, but neither has accepted the invitation.

"We really thought it was important for Romney to be invited to address his supporters and to talk about his marriage to Ann for 42 years, his five boys and all his grandkids and why, as the chief executive, he wants to provide opportunities for the family," Vander Plaats said.

The Family Leadership Summit kicks off at 11 a.m. at the . Vander Plaats said they're expecting more than 1,000 attendees to the all-day event.

So what is a Family Leadership Summit, anyway?

"The Summit is so that everyone is focused on the election in November," said Vander Plaats. "It's not designed to be a campaign rally, but rather an education summit talking about current issues and how they’ve impacted the family and why leadership is required -- whether in the White House, in the community or the church or in the family home. We believe leadership is required at all levels."

Vander Plaats, who has remained fairly low-key since the Iowa Caucus, says the Summit really is just a chance to engage conservatives in a conversation about God's three institutions: family, church and government.

He said inviting Perry, Santorum and Huckabee gives Summit attendees a leader they can relate to and who shares their beliefs and values. 

"If you take a look at the lineup, it's a very balanced summit," Vander Plaats said. "We have two individuals who will focus on the biblical word and then we have elected leaders like Huckabee who our base really respects."

What to Expect

Drake University political scientist Dennis Goldford, said while it's true the gathering could mean a renewed interest and support for conservative ideas as Iowa voters head into the November election.

"Given the state of the ecomony there has been a concern since 2009 among social conservatives that their issues would take a back seat to economic concerns, that it might displace their primary issues," he said. "They don't want that. They're determined to keep these issues front and center and a gathering like this keeps them interested and generates support once again."

Registration for the Family Leadership Summit begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The cost is $20.12. Visit www.TheFamilyLeadershipSummit.com to register.