Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Wong Maye-E / AP
Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who donated $5 million to supporters of Newt Gingrich, is not necessarily endorsing the message in an anti-Mitt Romney video.
By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 | 12:03 p.m.
Sun coverage
Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson’s $5-million donation to supporters of Newt Gingrich may have helped fund distribution of a brutal anti-Mitt Romney video, but he’s not necessarily endorsing its message.
The 28-minute video produced by a group supporting Gingrich portrays the former Massachusetts governor as a corporate marauder who destroyed small businesses and individuals' livelihoods in pursuit of profit as head of Bain Capital.
The video has been criticized by some in Republican circles as taking a page from Democrats' playbook of “attacking capitalism” and playing the rich off of the poor.
But Adelson, a self-made billionaire, hasn’t seen the video and has had no say in the group’s strategy for airing it, according to a source close to the Las Vegas Sands chairman.
“The key to remember here is that he gave a donation to support Newt,” the source said. “What happens from the time when that contribution lands with that PAC to now, he’s not involved with. He’s not been involved in the strategies and the tactics.”
The video is being distributed by Winning Our Future, a so-called super political action committee supporting Gingrich’s campaign. The super PAC is planning to purchase $3.4 million in television time in South Carolina and air portions of the documentary in the run-up to the Jan. 21 GOP primary there.
The source close to Adelson said the $5 million contribution was meant to help a friend who needed it. After poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, Gingrich has placed his hopes of extending his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on South Carolina.
“I don’t think anybody with an ounce of credibility would say Mr. Adelson is anti-capitalism or anti-business or even anti-Romney,” the source said. “Mr. Adelson is pro-Newt.”
The real discussion that needs to take place is that on the concept of "money is speech." There are strong points to be made on both sides of the issue and they need to be more fully examined before any meaningful campaign finance reform can be made.
As smart a man as Mr. Adelson is, you would think that he would be smart enough to stay out of politics. By giving $5 million dollars to support Newton Gingrich could have an effect on peoples' desire to visit Adelson's Sands Casino or any other property he owns. I know where I am not going as I don't want my money to be given out to people like Gingrich. I will just go to other casinos for eating and gambling.
They should have followed the Solyndra business plan instead.
Funny how Gingrich receives plenty of donations from capital investment groups.
Newt Gingrich is a globalist and is against the US Constitution. It is not surprising that Sheldon Adelson would be so firmly in his camp.
Don't believe me? Take a look at what the far right leaning Burch Society is saying about Newt. For sale to the highest bidder, that that bidder does not necessarily need to be American. Hmm, sounds like Sheldon again.
Should I be in the position to donate 5M to a political hack, I would at least like to how the money would be used. Adelson knows exactly where and for what reason the money was donated. In any case, the money could have done some good things for this city. Instead, Adelson might as well have piled it up in front of one of his hotels and set it on fire.
"As smart a man as Mr. Adelson is, you would think that he would be smart enough to stay out of politics." Unfortunately, that's what politics is about these days, thanks to the Supreme's Citizens United ruling a year ago. As to having an "effect on peoples' desire to visit the Sands Casino..." well, it's gone here and I doubt it'll have an impact on Macau. Nor do I think it'll have an impact on the Venetian. Jeez, Bouchon is there -- what a great restaurant. Oddly, I respect Adelson for a range of reasons, not the least of which is wanting the Monorail to run down the strip, and his business acumen, sharklike though it may be. But his politics are his politics and he can waste his dough anyway he wants...as long as Newt doesn't get elected.
Shelly, you old coot...
Thanks for the 5 mil towards the destruction of the likely 'R' nominee for Prez. Very generous, indeed.
Enjoying the debate process! Watching those nuts fight it out 'like cats in a bag' is like SNL, only better...and the family & I watch each one religiously!
I see Convention business is again booming at your Vegas properties; YOUR WELCOME.
Rock on with your bad self!
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
p.s.
LOVE your work on those 'deposition' videos; CLASSIC!
Hope you get an Oscar, or something.
fellow democrats...
al sharpton had the best line regarding this on morning joe today...
when asked how the democrats should capitalize on this...
he said...
"why commit a homicide when there is a suicide in progress"...
hee hee hee...
willard romney ain't got a frickin chance!!!
"willard romney ain't got a frickin chance!!!" A lot of folks said that about George Bush (Jr.). It's scary out there.
"willard romney ain't got a frickin chance!!!"
Tons of folks said that about Obama.
The rhetoric of this campaign reminds me of the Clinton v Obama primary..... tons of mud that was a footnote to the election.
One thing Mr. Adelson gets for his $5 million is a very happy Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, who desperately wants his friend and idol Obama to be re-elected. Do you think Sheldon is dying to get a license for one of the three new casinos going up in his his home state of Massachusetts? If so, the governor and Mr. Obama owe Adelson one for his trashing the Republican nominee with a $5 million ad buy full of lies about Romney.
Like they say, it can't hurt!
should have thought about that before he gave money to the angry old guy. Is it just me or are Gingrich's speeches and defenses starting to sound like a sarcastic employee who just got reprimanded and is now muttering garbage under his breath about the boss. Grow up Gingrich, your starting to sound worse than Obama, but then again maybe you can be his VP since you seem so against capitalism.
Fellows under the constitution Adelson can give money to who ever he wants. Why don't u criticize Soros ( who after 50 + Years still has that heavy Hungarian accent and gives many millions to his Dems candidates? . This is still America and individuals and co's can give any amount they want. Now as for the scum of the earth ( Sharpton) Isn't he the one that many years ago defended the girl in New York that was was wrapped in feces and blamed the attorney general? Is he the one that incited the blacks to put fire at whitey stores in Harlem which caused a death? Don't take Sharp seriously . He is a REV like I'm a REV.What school did he graduate from?
Mr Addleson shows Old Age is settling In. Does he have a Public Relations Firm? I would suggest its a great place to start when we see Billionaires attacking Hundred Millionaires and speaking the truth about Vulture Capitalism. One thing you can say, even though Mr. Addleson wasted his money - He Builds Things, He's not a Vulture Capitalist.
Much ado about nothing. $5 million to Sheldon Addleson is like 50 cents to the rest of us. I admire Addleson for what he's accomplished as a businessperson, but he's no friend of the U.S.
Every morning I drive by his livery of 747s, DC10s, 737s and smaller aircraft at McCarran (which are registered in the Bahamas to avoid U S taxes and regulations).
Even if Romney gets the nomination (which he probably will) he's not going to be the next president - at least not this election cycle.
gmag - loved your post.
@Chazbean............Yes, you are referring to the Tawana Brawley fiasco. Since when did the Rev. Al get so much cred. What a scumbag!
Simmons.......................Why don't u mention BO? Where are his school transcripts? Imagine if this was Romney? It would be front page news with Steph and Blitzer and New York Times ETC. U remember Bill Clinton? Have u forgotten ? Discounting Monica . He was impeached for lying under oath. Hello. Isn't America wonderful?
The fact that one man donated 5 million dollars legally to a political action committee is disturbing in itself.
This is a rotten group of apples we have to chose from. Obama is a write off that has only weakened the country and has lost his shine. Romney is even worse, he would sell off all our jobs if he could make a buck doing it.
Newt is an egomaniac filled with self importance, but despite all his faults. Would be better than the current clown in chief with queeny. Mitt "I like to fire people" Romney would be just another Bob Dole or Mccain in the general election.
@Kerns: You know whats also disturbing is unions collecting dues from workers, donating it to support the dems when in fact many that pay dues would rather vote for the other party. Now that sucks.
At the same time, I have never received anything in the mail from the various companies that I hold stock in, inquiring about my view on where they should donate money to various politicians.
The money after all, does belong to the shareholders, not management.
Who's to say that Adelson didn't donate his own money. He probably has a few million sitting around.
Sorry Sheldon, too late---you have tainted yourself with anti-capitalism Gingrich dirt.
Amazing that a rich capitalist would try to destroy a successful businessman like Romney based on capitalism. Bizarrrrro land.
The goal must be to remove the socialist job-killer in the White House. Sheldon, shame on you.