E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSRepublican heavy-hitters are calling for an end to fierce attacks centered on GOP presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney's career as a venture capitalist. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
Mitt Romney faces continued criticism over his refusal so far to release the names of his campaign “bundlers” -- the big money fundraisers who have helped him rake in tens of million dollars for his presidential race.
But two invitations to Romney private fundraisers, obtained by NBC News, reveal where many of them come from: big private equity firms.
It's the same corporate buyout industry where Romney, as chief of Bain Capital, made his personal fortune and which, in recent days, has become a campaign lightning rod.
Steve Schwarzman, co-chairman of the Blackstone Group, the biggest of all Wall Street private equity firms, is listed as the “event co-chair” at both Romney events, including one tonight in Palm Beach, FL that is expected to bring in over $1 million.
The invite for the event -- at the home of Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross -- states that event co-chairs are responsible for raising at least $50,000 a piece. (Other co-chairs include billionaire financier and Home Depot founder Ken Langone, sugar baron Pepe Fanjul, and energy executive Bill Koch, whose two brothers head Koch Industries.)
Schwarzman, whose firm has partnered with Bain Capital on deals since the 1980s, was dubbed by Fortune in a 2007 cover story as “The New King of Wall Street.” He also kicked off a firestorm two years ago, when he compared the battle over President Obama’s proposal to increase the tax rate paid by private equity partners to a “war” like “when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.” (Schwarzman later apologized for what he called “an inappropriate analogy.” )
NBC's David Gregory talks to TODAY's Matt Lauer about whether fierce attacks on Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney will backfire against his rivals or stop what seems to be Romney's inevitable march to the nomination.
But he is hardly the only Wall Street private equity baron that is bringing in large sums of cash for Romney’s campaign.
The invitation for another Romney campaign fundraiser -- slated for next Tuesday at New York’s Sheraton Hotel, and which a source tells NBC News is expected to bring in about $1.5 million -- lists Schwarzman and 23 others as “event co-chairs,” according to a copy the invite.
Of that total, 16 are from Wall Street private equity and venture capital firms, either as top executives, their lawyers, or lobbyists.
Among them: Wayne Berman, the Washington super-lobbyist (and Romney national finance co-chair) whose clients include Schwarzman’s Blackstone Group; Alex Navab, a top partner of KKR, another private equity powerhouse and the co-chief of its North American Private Equity portfolio; and Anthony Scaramucci, aka “The Mooch,” and chief of the Skybridge Partners hedge fund.
The invite also lists another 125 “event co-hosts” -- many of them also from Wall Street, including one notable name: Ed Conard, the former Bain Capital partner of Romney’s who attracted attention last summer after NBC News revealed a mysterious one million dollar donation to the Romney Super PAC that came from a Delaware limited partnership that was set up shortly before the donation was made -- and then shut down.
After a storm of criticism, and calls for a Justice Department investigation, Conard revealed himself to be the source of the donation.
The Romney campaign did not respond to an email request Thursday asking whether it intended to fully disclose the names of its bundlers. But in an email exchange over the subject last summer, Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for the campaign said: “We disclose all of the information about our donors as required by law and anyone who is interested can review it publicly. And, anyone wishing to donate to our campaign can do so at www.mittromney.com.”
Leave a Comment:
Guess I have to be careful now. I made one racist joke and newsvine goes Stalin on me. As for the money game those in the know are aware these bought politicians are loyal to another foreign Nation State but I'm not allowed to say who. Freedom of speech is a bygone era.
Guess who is trashing the latest GOP candidate? COME ON! Not again. How about one positive story about how Mitt turned around the Olympics?
Guess who bankrolled Obama's campaigns - Wall Street and Big Labor!! My prediction - NBC will bring out the LDS trash can in about six months - you know what I'm talking about.
"NBC will bring out the LDS trash can in about six months - you know what I'm talking about." You mean that Romney believes Joe Smith found magic tablets in Palmyra NY in the 1800's? Or the Romney believes the Garden of Eden is in Missouri? Or that until 1978 mormons believed blacks were of demons? You mean like that?
Well in 1978 we had more religious freedom. Some religious people think they are so chosen they can kill off everyone else and dub it. "God's work" Even if it means land grabbing. nudge nudge, you know who I'm typing about.
Yeah, but we know who bankrolled Obama because he disclosed where his Superpac money came from. The GOP candidates aren't doing that, hence the article.
We cant allow middle class America to be destroyed by China or Mitt Romney. Havent they destroyed enough.
The Long Legged Mac Daddy in office has already did that?
Our senators will destroy things long before China ever could.
what more do you want.....???? he is the best chance we have......we need him to run the buisness....!!!!
You make no sense at all. Please stop.
Calling all Democratic Liberals like me out there. Promote VBM or vote by mail status in your local areas we need to virtually and literally eliminate the polling station of America. Republicans in 10 states are planning a coup to suppress votes and cheat like they did with junior in 2000. Remember the hanging chad. Wake-up! Especially in Florida and the Midwest. Cool, steady wins the race. Stay strong. Faux news is on the rampage. They'll promote a "job killer" like Romney they will all fall in line. Even Limbaugh and O'Reilly. Watch. I've seen this show before and it ended with a global economic meltdown and 3 wars.
They are all crooks on both sides. It is like professional athletes moving from one team to the other for more money. I am still voting for Mitt the Magic Mormon anyway, cause it has to be better than now which is pretty obvious.
Just how many millions of americans have lost their entire life savings, while these greedy scumbags jacked up stock prices. Then when they know they cant actually perform up to expectations, or they just get caught flat out stealing... they lock their employees out of their retirement plans, while the CEO and friends abandon ship.
I can totally see Mitt Romney at the helm of Enron preaching corporate investment, while preparing his exit strategy. Just WHO in this country would support this FREE ROAMING VAPOR ?
America will balkanize even as we are going down, many will deny this until the great pie divide happens. I wonder will European Americans get their slice?
It's the same old same old.............. if you don't like the way the campaigning is funded then fix it .... don't lament about it every year................ how about this Congress and the President and the Supreme Court draws no salary or pension... let's see how many real "patriots" run then.
Oh and remember 500 Million was taken from Medicare by the Obamacare Legislation..... who loves ya baby
This whole , Mitt slash and burn thing is funny . He did not invent that type of industry , but he sure did take advantage , and jobs to China , The Unions can share in that , but they won't . Obama is a very educated man , Harvard attorney , Senator , very impressive , he just couldn't lead ,, no shame there ,, He will do well the rest of his life . Mitt will get some things done , and I could care less how he made "it" .
Finally people with some real skin in the game are getting involved and not leaving this to the left wing despots.
Why is it we have to buy a friggen President?
marijuana marijuana lsd, bush made it cheney takes it, y cantweet!
We need to be protected from abuses or mismanagement by the wealthiest, but the true problem is in the inability of our government or society to reign in the criminals and such while the richest people do whatever they like even if it harms others or our entire society. We have to have accountability, good governance, and an educated and informed populace. We cannot have government serving only it...self and survive. It has been proven that it will maintain its distance from the people and classify everything that those idiots do as sensitive and covered by immunity, and the people will never know what is going on in the world until it is allowed to be broadcast by the major networks. Any deviation is susceptible to lawsuits and those that break with the "doctrine" can be shut up in institutions and stigmatized and silenced in other ways, or completely ignored. The government has already decided for us what we will hear, what we will discuss, and has a monopoly on all the information. It is that entity that needs to be examined and worked with day in and day out by a congress dedicated to the US Constitution and by people who are their because they want to serve the people of our nation in information/education, and equity under the law as with the bill of rights. One does not have a war and negate the entire concept of government in order to do battle with enemies of the state, because in doing so, it makes the people enemies of the state. Only the ultra uninformed that lack intellect want or need guidance in all matters of their lives, and protection from the realities of the world around them. I am beginning to think the government is trying to institutionalize us all so as to not interfere in its secret processes of war, negotiation, and so forth. This is truly an insanely screwed up situation we are all in.
@ GunnyCoop-Because a forgien power controls them. Think of America as a company. Same flag and logos but the interest has changed. No race, no religion, no culture, no sexual identity no freedom. A citizen of the NWO. Sponsored by the nation state over yonder (Terms of use state I cannot say directly whom)
is anyone surprised by this? I just wonder how much does the presidency cost? hmm.... Well, maybe we'll find out this time around. Probably not. There's too much money given under the table for anyone to really know.
So, I'll continue sing my little song:
how much is that politician in the window?
the one with the long lying tale?
how much is that politician in the window?
we know they are all for sale!
sigh....
Mitt needs more than 1% of the independent vote. Ron could get up to 50% or more.
Here's a thought: take the money out of running for office and then these companies can use their money to employ the unemployed! I just wish these people would find their hearts and compassion. I know, I know, it's not going to happen!
Ron Paul has my vote, the rest are just the status quo.
Mine too.
We need to be protected from abuses or mismanagement by the wealthiest, but the true problem is in the inability of our government or society to reign in the criminals and such while the richest people do whatever they like even if it harms others or our entire society. We have to have accountability, good governance, and an educated and informed populace. We cannot have government serving only it...self and survive. It has been proven that it will maintain its distance from the people and classify everything that those idiots do as sensitive and covered by immunity, and the people will never know what is going on in the world until it is allowed to be broadcast by the major networks. Any deviation is susceptible to lawsuits and those that break with the "doctrine" can be shut up in institutions and stigmatized and silenced in other ways, or completely ignored. The government has already decided for us what we will hear, what we will discuss, and has a monopoly on all the information. It is that entity that needs to be examined and worked with day in and day out by a congress dedicated to the US Constitution and by people who are their because they want to serve the people of our nation in information/education, and equity under the law as with the bill of rights. One does not have a war and negate the entire concept of government in order to do battle with enemies of the state, because in doing so, it makes the people enemies of the state. Only the ultra uninformed that lack intellect want or need guidance in all matters of their lives, and protection from the realities of the world around them. I am beginning to think the government is trying to institutionalize us all so as to not interfere in its secret processes of war, negotiation, and so forth. This is truly an insanely screwed up situation we are all in.
dedicated to biily jank, I did acid on his birthday when he was att'ny general, Fri 13th, and now he has fallen (piss on him)
@ gigrr counter-You cannot be protected when to even call out the criminals you will be dubbed hateful and racist so what can you do when the law protects them?
Mitt the Modern Day Gordon Gecko Corporate Raider says we need someone as President who has experience in Business. George W. Bush was our First President to have an MBA (Masters Business Administration) and look at the shape he and his Fellow Lockstep Republicans left our Country in. We went 10 steps forward and Fifty Steps backward. More People are Homeless now without Pensions and now Republican Mitt Romney and his fellow Lockstep Republicans want your Social Security and Medicare Insurance too so that you will be sure to work till the day you step foot into the grave.
Mission Accomplished!
Big Money buying the government--its always been the case since the end of the Roman Republic and the ancient Greek democracies -- Money buys power and power attracts more money-that's the formula for the right to rule. The good coming out of all this is the enevitable revolution of the disposessed . Their next move will be to change the voting laws to ensure the rule of the rich permanently over the working poor..As long as it is "legal" the GOP can justify any sin.
The same bloodlines that took Rome down then took Germany down and now it's our turn.
Well, finally the warts have appeared on the top toad running for the gop nomination! And the right thinks that any of these scanks would be better than Obama? It is to laugh at!!!!
Wake up republicans! If your not part of the 1% your going to suffer just the same as the dems.
I don't know how anyone can think he is a good choice for president....he is so foney in his stump speaches...he will say anything to get elected for his big money buddies...not you republicans out there barely getting by.
If you feel Romney is phoney and don't like "phonies" then you need to stay home the next election. No honest straightforward politician would ever get elected or re-elected to anything.
Criminals and financial terrorists raising money for one of their own, how novel.
All of the candidates (both parties) make money, personal income, off the campaign Superpac's. Newt figured out how to maximize the take by having family members head up companies to funnel the swag. They all do it. Yes, Obama too. The difference is, Obama opened his books on it and detailed the sources. None of the GOP candidates have done that.
My Sister is a Rabid Republican and can barely pay her Electric Bills, has no Medical or Dental and asks me for help after assailing the Democrats!
You can lead a Horse to Water but...
i think this raising money from these people like this or any super pac group should be stopped. tv and newspaper should have a budget where these are furnished out of a fund set up by a committee that is strictly controlled and they have to publish how much is spent on these ads and can't be bribed or messed with by congress either and audited by a different cpa company that has their name pulled up by a drawing just the day before and a lock down by the us marshals office or somebody like that.
then this pays for the ads that each type of media offers at cost as this is only once ever four years and then they are all in the same boat. because you know if these people are paying out big money then they are expecting something in return. also like the president they should serve only for two term limits and not get a pay check for life either as this is the most ridiculousness of all things and also no lobbyist jobs for 5 years as this will cut out their wiliness to feather their cap with the big boys bribes and pay off and if caught put up against the wall and shot as this will stop the crime of being bribed and any meeting with lobbyist should be recorded and kept by a Independent group that is held accountable to the people and same rules shot if caught lying about it.
harsh but dang it this is the only way to stop the buying and selling your vote and getting paid for it, also lets put all of them on a polygraph and see what is the truth and not the truth, they are making the border guards now do it to stop bribes so what is wrong with them doing it.
So Romney's plan for America is too use his company Bain to go around shutting down successful companies where the company then takes outs loans for what purposes? If the business was successful then there should never be any reason to shut the company down.
Romney is a business killer not a business grower who is getting rid of companies who do not meet his expectations of a religious nature.
It sure would be nice to see all of the companies purchased by Bain and and Romney that where then shut down after loans were taken out based upon their good standing with Wall-Street and the Bankers.
It may not be Wall-Street or the Bankers America who is causing the economic problems it could be people like Romney who promise one thing making his campaign sound good to listen too but all he is really doing is killing the success of American businesses for his own pockets.
Now America knows where the Republican candidates get their money from to live on after they fail at being a presidential candidate. They use companies like Bain to shut good successful companies down so they can take loans out most likely from China where they then create other companies to hide a certain amount of the loan debt in and then scamper off with the majority of the money thus causing the increase in taxes and gas prices that they hand off to Americans like you and me too pay......just so they don't have to pay.
America should know who is the real problem in creating debt for America we saw it begin with the Bush administration and we will only see it get worse with Romney as President.
I always wondered why the American citizen was so irresponsible when I look at the deficit. Then I realized that the American people cannot have created such a debt because of the laws in place to keep the American citizen from defaulting.......
But those same laws that keep the American citizen from defaulting are not used by people like Romney who create the laws that allow them to get rich off of the scams they create laws around that would otherwise send you and me to jail.
So who can get information about the companies that Romney shut down? Once we get that information we can build a psychological base of thought for Romney's inner thought process as he would get rid of successful businesses that would erk him the most.
It's not the little man or woman in America....America.........It's people like Romney.........Let's stand up and put an end to the corporate greed and rape of America. Let's say no to Mexican Romney and lets get the good ones into office so they can clean up the mess that people like Romney have created.
......$3.56 for a gallon of gas! No wonder the economy is @!$%#!. If the gas price was lowered to $2.50 a gallon the economy would bust out at the seams.
Inflation is B.S.! There is no reason to raise the price on bread from a nickel to $1.25 a loaf. How in the hell is that loaf that has been made the same way since 1925 any different now? The same is true is gas. Gas is still the same product as it was in the 1940's and there is no reason for it to be the price it is.
So is President Obama really the problem? Was he in office when the gas prices increased from .95 cents to what they are today? No he wasn't. What is happening America is that the far right wing nut jobs who call theirselves Conservatives are in fact creating a metaphasic thought process where they want you to believe that the rise in gas prices is like the water rising in a sinking sink. If you stay on your current ship, The Liberal Ship, then slowly but surely you will be "drowned" in water that Far Right Wing has poured into your ship to make you like the Far Right Wing wants you to be so that they can live like kings and queens while everyone else is forced to live a certain way without any freedom of choice present.
Now hold on before you go saying that it was Obama's Socialism that did this too America. No true as President Obama was not the president in office when the gas prices went through the rough.
Bush and Cheny did nothing about the gas prices because they wanted the gas prices to increase in order to enforce their fascist conservative views on everyone.
.....But the reinforcements are on the way. Audi is getting to ready to release a new Green Car in 2013 that operates off of synthetically created methane that is not required to be extracted from the ground.
By Big Oil......who like the Great White Whale Hunters hunted the whaler to replace their product with oil from the ground. That same White Whale has returned for Big Oil again in the form of synthetically created methane that can be used to operate a vehicle.
So much for the guy sitting at the desk whom everyone thought should be out working like the drunks and drug addicts that are the Big Oil Industry.
Intelligence and planning always overcomes the largest army. I thought Big Oil would have remembered this message from the battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans defeated and killed 20,000 Persians.
Strength in numbers doesnt gaurantee a win.