Thread: How is this even possible?

This guy can't think of anything better to do with 5 million dollars?

For weeks this winter, as Newt Gingrich ’s presidential hopes faltered under the weight of millions of dollars in attack ads paid for by backers of Mitt Romney, a small group of Gingrich supporters quietly lobbied for help from one of the richest men in America: Sheldon Adelson , a billionaire casino owner and Mr. Gingrich’s longtime friend and patron.

on Friday, the cavalry arrived: a $5 million check from Mr. Adelson to Winning Our Future, a “super PAC” that supports Mr. Gingrich. By Monday morning, the group had reserved more than $3.4 million in advertising time in South Carolina, a huge sum in a state where the airwaves come cheap and the primary is 11 days away. The group is planning to air portions of a movie critical of Mr. Romney’s time at Bain Capital, the private equity
firm he helped found.

The last-minute injection underscores how the 2010 landmark Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance has made it possible for a wealthy individual to influence an election. Mr. Adelson’s contribution to the super PAC is 1,000 times the $5,000 he could legally give directly to Mr. Gingrich’s campaign this year.

I suppose there's people out there who think this guy isn't expecting any favors for this kind of donation, but I don't.

I certainly hope these campaign donations aren't tax deductible.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/us...lift.html?_r=1

I'd say Newt is beholden to this guy for the rest of his life. I hope Newt never gets into office again.

Originally Posted by Babba

I'd say Newt is beholden to this guy for the rest of his life. I hope Newt never gets into office again.

I am absolutely flabbergasted that someone could and would just toss 5 million dollars into a campaign destined to lose like it's nothing. If I dropped a quarter in the trash by accident I'd probably stop and dig it out unless there was something really gross in there.

And this guy thinks nothing of basically throwing away five million dollars.

Originally Posted by Blueneck

I am absolutely flabbergasted that someone could and would just toss 5 million dollars into a campaign destined to lose like it's nothing. If I dropped a quarter in the trash by accident I'd probably stop and dig it out unless there was something really gross in there.

And this guy thinks nothing of basically throwing away five million dollars.

It is astounding. I'm certain that he thinks he's going to get something out of it even if Newt doesn't have a chance in hell. Maybe he's buying Newt's connections. Who knows.

As I said in this thread: More on Money/Politics Post-'Citizens United'

the contribution is legal under the new precedent set by Citizen United. It used to be that a very wealthy person (say, Ross Perot) could only contribute tons of money to a political campaign if it were his OWN campaign. Now he can back any candidate he wishes by setting up a Super PAC. Welcome to the New Political Order.

Originally Posted by Blueneck

I am absolutely flabbergasted that someone could and would just toss 5 million dollars into a campaign destined to lose like it's nothing. If I dropped a quarter in the trash by accident I'd probably stop and dig it out unless there was something really gross in there.

And this guy thinks nothing of basically throwing away five million dollars.

Americans spend collectively more on yogurt than they do on political campaign ads.

Originally Posted by Macduff

Americans spend collectively more on yogurt than they do on political campaign ads.

At least yogurt promotes the health of beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Originally Posted by Macduff

Americans spend collectively more on yogurt than they do on political campaign ads.

I'm not sure why this is important. When "Americans" buy yogurt, they get calcium, some calories, and some helpful bacteria. When they buy political campaign ads, they buy influence in government aimed at improving their bottom line at the expense of someone else's interests. Not sure how a comparison of how much they spend is important. The problem with campaign ads is that they are CHEAP compared the rewards that can be reaped from them. That's why they are such a good investment and why so many people want to invest in them.

Originally Posted by Macduff

Americans spend collectively more on yogurt than they do on political campaign ads.

I'm talking about ONE guy here. This isn't a million people donating $5 apiece, it's ONE guy donating five million.

I really wish someone would do an insider expose on the life of a Superpac dollar. Cut it up and tell us where it goes, because I'd love to know.