As the guy who wants to lose a third time, aka Mitt Romney, is finalizing his efforts, he is discovering that, alas, his past big time fundraisers and donors in most of the key states are enamoured
It kind of makes sense — what would you prefer, a third Romney desperate attempt to please everyone and get no one, or a third Bush in the White House?
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The donors, who were interviewed by The Associated Press, are saying they believe Jeb Bush will deliver what they liked about Romney in 2012: a winning personality, well connected, lots of business experience — and, most important, the promise of actually winning the White House.
Which brings us to Sheldon Adelson, by far the heaviest member of the 45-member board of the Republican Jewish Coalition.
In 2012, Adelson and his wife Miriam invested close to $100 million, switching from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ($15 million) to Romney after the former had dropped out of the race.
Adelson was not the biggest loser in 2012, that title belongs to the Koch brothers, who threw away an estimated $400 million and received almost zero results.
The Jewish Chronicle quotes Adelson’s spokesman Ron Reese, who said his boss was still looking into all the candidates and that it was too early to tell whom he would support.
Adelson, who visited Capitol Hill earlier this month, to confer with Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee, continues to be one of the top most generous contributors to Republican candidates and campaigns in the history of politics.
In return for his contributions, the owner of prosperous gambling facilities in the U.S. and abroad has two basic demands: absolute support for Israel, especially when it comes to disarming Iran’s nukes; and legislative loyalty to his agenda of outlawing legal, regulated Internet gambling.
Strangely enough, Adelson will probably get a better bang for his buck on the Iran nuclear front than on Internet gambling. His efforts there have been a bust so far, which is why had had to gather his Congressional recipients in one room and read the riot act (presumably).
On Iran – both houses of Congress are perfectly willing to push President Obama off his negotiations course, forcing his hand on increased sanctions whether he likes it or not (he hates it).
Having brought the Boehner-Bibi “We’ll Tell Obama how to Run his Foreign Policy” act to the center of the world’s attention, and damn the consequences, it is safe to assume that Sheldon Adelson will only increase his direct involvement in U.S. politics and try to buy himself a presidential candidate.
Which could mean that Adelson initial support will not go to Bush (he’ll never go back to Romney, he didn’t want him in 2012 either). Jeb has enough support as it is, Adelson will not get the best return for his investment there.
But there’s another hopeful Republican out there, who would appreciate Sheldon’s money, and, who knows — his chances are better than Newt’s.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, another major contender for the GOP nomination, could be on Adelson short list at this stage of the campaign, based on his support for Walker during his fight to survive the 2012 recall election. The Koch brothers were also on hand to bail Walker out.
So, if you’re betting on who will be Adelson’s American Bibi this campaign, check out Walker.
