They buy it. Meant to note this late last week:

New Jersey Sen. Jon Corzine, a former Wall Street executive with a portfolio worth $261 million, has been giving some of his money to black churches, raising questions about whether it’s generosity or politics.

The Democrat, who is in a tight race for governor, donated or loaned more than $2.5 million last year to black churches. He has received the endorsement of more than two dozen black ministers.

“Blatant quid pro quo-ism,” said Democrat Walter Fields, Jr., former political director of New Jersey’s NAACP. “We have always had wealthy candidates running for office. What we have never had is that individual wealth being used in such a direct way, and somehow we’re supposed to look the other way.”

…The Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, executive director of the Black Ministers Council and pastor of St. Matthew’s AME Church in Orange, N.J., said black ministers have been making personal endorsements of candidates since 1981. The council does not make endorsements.

Jackson’s church has received thousands of dollars from Corzine over several years, including a $50,000 loan last year.

Related: Criticized on finances, Corzine offers a shrug

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