Sheldon Adelson Sets New US Political Donation Record: Report

[TomCADem]

Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - U.S. billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson has set a new record in political donations by giving $70 million to help Republicans in the 2012 elections, nearly triple the previous highest amount, according to news outlet Politico on Monday.

Adelson, 79-year-old chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp , has come to symbolize a new era in U.S. campaign finance that affords great power to individual wealthy donors through unlimited-spending outside "Super PAC" groups. These groups finance millions of dollars worth of advertising on candidates' behalf.

In a rare interview with a mainstream media outlet, Adelson told Politico he planned to spend up to $100 million -- "whatever it takes" -- to defeat President Barack Obama on Nov. 6, a stance he also made to Forbes magazine in June.

According to disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission, Adelson and his wife, Miriam, have contributed about $37 million, almost all of it to Super PACs backing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, primary rival Newt Gingrich and party peers running for seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/sheldon-adelson-donations_n_1910094.html?utm_hp_ref=elections-2012

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I guess this explains why only 17% of Romney's direct campaign donations are from small donors while 40% of Obama's campaign totals come from donations under $250. I guess Romney's May comments about the 47% may have been driven by the notion that he really did not need them. He is only accountable to his fellow millionaires and billionaires.

[Bozita]

1. Any doubts now about the need to overturn Citizens United?

"Democracy" for sale to the highest bidder!

[RKP5637]

11. Basically it says the hell with the country for millions of Americans. This is no country. It's a

P&L center for those of extreme wealth. This should be so illegal in so may ways. It's absolute bullshit!

[progressivebydesign]

2. This is SO fucked up! 70 MILLION? How many people could that fucker help with that money??

He's busy interfering in Israel's politics, interfering in our democracy. This is outrageous. Thank you right wingers on the Supreme Court.. you sold our democracy out to people like that.

[Bigredhunk]

15. It's More Important That No Union Member Gets A Dime From Him

He loathes unions. Dropping $70 mil on a losing cause, not so much.

[global1]

3. Why?.....

Does he hate Obama so much that this is worth it?

Is he a racist?

What does he want from Rmoney? He's got to be expecting something back in return?

Or is he just that greedy that he feels that he will make more money than he spent should Rmoney win?

What is it? Why has he donated so much?

[pscot]

9. He says Obama's a socialist

He's had labor troubles at his hotels and convention centers, so he hates unions.

[Kingofalldems]

18. But he's a big supporter of a socialist nation

Something not adding up with this guy.

[global1]

19. This All Sounds LIke The Making Of A Story Line For A James Bond Novel.......

Casinos
Money
Buying Influence
Invading A Country
Governments
An evil tyrant with a lot of money
Foreign connections

Where is Ian Flemming when we need him?
.

[AndyTiedye]

12. He Wants the US to Invade Iran

He also wants to save billions of dollars on his taxes. Every year.
He gets all of this and more if they can get Mitt (s)elected.

We can assume that $70 million is just a down-payment.
He'll be in for a billion or more before this is over.

[AndyTiedye]

21. Staying Out of Prison Would be Worth a Great Deal to Him

In August, The New York Times wondered aloud what the rest of the political world wanted to know: Does Sheldon Adelson's effort to put Mitt Romney in the White House have anything to do with the federal criminal investigation into his company's business practices?

The Times editorial page mused that "since Mr. Adelson's financial future is riding on the outcome of these federal investigations, it is legitimate to ask whether he has motivation for supporting the Republican ticket so lavishly, beyond his sharp disagreement with the Obama administration's position on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process."

In a wide-ranging, two-hour interview with Politico's Mike Allen published Monday, Adelson himself answered the question.

The top reason Adelson gave for backing Romney and opposing President Barack Obama is "self defense," as Allen put it, referencing the probe into Las Vegas Sands Corp. "Adelson said a second Obama term would bring government 'vilification of people that were against him.' He thinks he would be at the top of that list and contends that he already has been targeted for his political activity," Allen wrote.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/adelson-investigation-justice-department_n_1917141.html


http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014246196#post7

[truthisfreedom]

4. And all for naught.

Sheldon's gonna cry.

[cpwm17]

5. I'm sure he has the best interests of Americans in mind when he donates

Last edited Tue Sep 25, 2012, 02:28 AM - Edit history (1)

[Pauldg47]

6. Hopefully he meets his Waterloo.....

...he does seem a bit Napolionish!!!

[DonCoquixote]

7. sad thing is

This creep made his money in Vegas, which would have not been anything but a hole save for the Hoover dam.

[magic59]

8. If the fascists keep the house, or get the Senate or presidency

That old, angry asshole will make his money back over a hundredfold.

[RKP5637]

10. WHAT A BULLSHIT WAY TO RUN A COUNTRY. TOTAL BULLSHIT!!!

[Berlum]

13. Republican Family Values, Las Vegas Style

Puh-leease STFU Republicans about your imaginary "moral superiority." Good gawd.

[BlueMTexpat]

14. I hate what this represents -

but, given Rmoney's results so far (hopefully, the trend will continue downward), I'm all for Adelson's throwing good money after bad.



Although, from what I understand about Adelson, a lot of his money is "bad" to begin with. May karma ultimately catch up with him!

[Bigredhunk]

16. Homeboy Is Only 79?

He looks much older than that. Betty White is 15 years older and looks much better.

He could be Bernie in the next "Weekend At Bernie's" flick.

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. He needs the inheritance tax to be abolished

so I guess this is a good bet, for him.

[Happyhippychick]

20. He flushed it down the toilet which makes me smile.