Post submitted by Brian McBride, former HRC Digital Strategist

Michael D'Antonio, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and biographer, took over HRC's Twitter to discuss anti-LGBTQ extremist Mike Pence and reveal explosive excerpts from his newly released book, "The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence.” 

1/ Hello, this is Michael D’Antonio, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and biographer. I’m here for an #HRCTwitterTakeover about @PeterEisner and I’s new book out today on far-right extremist @mike_pence, “The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence.” https://t.co/sQSNCJmnGN pic.twitter.com/aU1uouUicC

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

2/NYT columnist @FrankBruni called our book “the most thorough examination of the vice president’s background to date.”

Bruni refers to a Pence presidency as the "holy terror waiting in the wings.” He's correct & here's why. — Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover https://t.co/AZObgfMzgW

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

3/ More than any politician in America, @mike_pence has worked to build on culture wars and donations from powerful kingmakers like the Koch brothers. Amassing more power with less scrutiny than any VP in history. — Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover https://t.co/CEW8RHZPAI

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

4/ @mike_pence has exploited Trump’s lack of connections to seed the government with his own friends and allies. You are the company you keep & Pence has surrounded himself with people who have a deep animus for LGBTQ people. — Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover https://t.co/xARzFwTsqC

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

5/ Throughout his career, @mike_pence’s views on social issues were the most extreme. He opposed civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans and promised to fight funding for any AIDS programs that “celebrate and encourage” same-sex relationships. — Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

6/Pence called for the government to fund programs assisting “those seeking to change their sexual behavior.” Overwhelming evidence indicates that so-called “conversion therapy” is dangerous & has been rejected by every mainstream medical & health org.—Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

7/As IN governor, he failed to respond to an HIV outbreak in his state. His hallmark policy—a law that approved discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against LGBTQ Hoosiers—was a disaster he was forced to repeal. — Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover https://t.co/VEJuAXnhej

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

8/For years, @mike_pence promoted voter fraud conspiracy theories. In Indiana, he backed attacks on voter registration drives in minority communities. He led Trump’s voter fraud investigation that proved to be an utter failure. —Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover https://t.co/SqqiBFoBFb

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

9/ @mike_pence went so far as to praise AZ Republican Senate candidate Joe Arpaio — a convicted criminal who has built his career on attacking people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ people & other marginalized communities. — Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover https://t.co/CZYD9S0jqy

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

10/@mike_pence’s ideology puts his personal beliefs 1st, his conservative view 2nd & the Republican Party 3rd. He's pursued an agenda permitting discrimination against LGBTQ people & elevates his beliefs above the constitution. —Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover https://t.co/VQqcJ16mlo

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

11/ @mike_pence’s shadow presidency to undermine the rights of countless Americans should serve as a wakeup call. ���� ���� ������ �������������� �������� ������������������, �������� �������� ����������������, �������� �������� ����������.—Michael #HRCTwitterTakeover

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018

12/12 Thank you @HRC for keeping a watchful eye and tracking the Trump-Pence administration's discriminatory and dangerous agenda. Along with our book, which is on sale today, get the facts on the real @mike_pence. https://t.co/77WuBK3yvg

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 28, 2018