E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
By NBC's Michael Isikoff
Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino mogul bankrolling Newt Gingrich’s super PAC isn’t trying to “buy” a presidency, his top political consultant tells NBC News. He’s just following in the footsteps of another powerful business tycoon, Joseph Kennedy, father of President John F. Kennedy.
Billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his wife have given GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich's super-PAC $10 million, the biggest cash infusion in the race for the White House. NBC's Michael Isikoff reports on the couple behind the contribution.
“I don’t think it’s buying a presidency any more than it was when Joe Kennedy helped his son,” Sig Rogich, a veteran Republican operative who serves as Adelson’s government affairs consultant, said in an interview about the massive donations that the casino mogul has made to Gingrich’s super PAC.
Adelson, 78, who has a personal fortune estimated at $21 billion, “plays to win” and “puts his money where his mouth is,” Rogich added.
In the last three weeks, Adelson and his Israeli-born wife Miriam have pumped $10 million into the Winning Our Future Super PAC. Those donations provided a critical cash infusion that helped revive Gingrich’s candidacy, bankrolling attack ads against Mitt Romney in South Carolina and now Florida. They’ve also made the Adelsons the largest known donors so far in a presidential race awash with money under new rules allowing unlimited donations to so-called super PACs.
But the contributions have also raised new questions about Adelson’s outside role in influencing the campaign. Those questions could intensify as a result of potentially provocative comments he has made about Israel uncovered by NBC News.
Scott Audette / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich makes a point during the Republican presidential candidates debate in Jacksonville, Florida January 26, 2012.
Adelson owns a newspaper in Israel, 'Israel HaYom,' that backs conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and adamantly opposes any peace settlement with the Palestinians.
But while Adelson and Gingrich have bonded on the issue of a hawkish Mideast policy, especially over the threat of a nuclear Iran, some of the casino mogul’s comments could prove embarrassing.
In a talk to an Israeli group in July, 2010, Adelson said he wished he had served in the Israeli Army rather than the U.S. military—and that he hoped his young son would come back to Israel and “be a sniper for the IDF,” a reference to the Israel Defense Forces. (YouTube video of speech)
“I am not Israeli. The uniform that I wore in the military, unfortunately, was not an Israeli uniform. It was an American uniform, although my wife was in the IDF and one of my daughters was in the IDF ... our two little boys, one of whom will be bar mitzvahed tomorrow, hopefully he’ll come back-- his hobby is shooting -- and he’ll come back and be a sniper for the IDF,” Adelson said at the event.
“All we care about is being good Zionists, being good citizens of Israel, because even though I am not Israeli born, Israel is in my heart,” he said toward the end of his talk.
Asked about those comments, Rogich said: “No one could possibly ever think that he is anything but a loyal American. He’s shown that time and time again.”
Rogich cited major donations that Adelson has made to medical research and other philanthropic causes that were far bigger than his political contributions, he said.
As for Israel, Rogich said: “I think that the fact that he is a Zionist and believes deeply in the preservation of Israel is so commendable.”
Newt Gingrich, who stirred controversy recently by calling the Palestinians "an invented people," appears on the cover of Sheldon Adelson's newspaper, Israel HaYom, blasting the Obama administration for its policies on Iran. "The Obama administration is denying reality," reads the headline in Hebrew. "The refusal to confront evil could cause a second Holocaust."
Gingrich, who stirred controversy recently by calling the Palestinians “an invented people,” appeared on the cover of Adelson’s Israeli newspaper blasting the Obama administration for its policies on Iran.
“The Obama administration is denying reality,” reads the headline in Hebrew. “The refusal to confront evil could cause a second Holocaust.”
When Gingrich was questioned about the money from Adelson this week, he immediately cited the casino mogul’s backing of Israel as a major reason he had received his support.
“Sheldon Adelson is very deeply concerned about the survival of Israel and believes that the Iranians represent a mortal threat to Israel and the United States,” Gingrich said in an interview while on the campaign trail in Florida. “And he is deeply motivated by the question of having a commander-in-chief strong enough and willing to make sure the Iranians do not get nuclear weapons.”
Asked if he had promised the casino mogul anything in exchange for the money to the super PAC, Gingrich replied: “I promised him that I would seek to defend the United States and the United States allies.”
Adelson’s interests extend beyond Israel. His personal fortune comes from a casino empire that stretches from the Vegas strip to the gambling havens of Singapore and Macau. But his business interests have also provoked legal troubles.
Adelson’s company, the Las Vegas Sands, disclosed last year that it was being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations by a former top company executive that Adelson directed him to put a local government official on its payroll in Macau — a potential violation of a U.S. anti-bribery law. The firm has denied the allegations, saying they come from a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled former employee.
Adelson also earned a reputation in Las Vegas as a fierce foe of labor unions after he bought the legendary Sands Hotel, home base of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, and then blew it up in 1996.
About 1,500 casino workers lost their jobs. Adelson built a spectacular new hotel in its place, the Venetian, but locked out the state’s powerful Culinary Workers Union, which resulted in street protests and lawsuits.
Union official D. Taylor (sic) said that Adelson’s security officials at the Las Vegas Sands Hotel tried to have the protestors outside his hotel arrested, but Las Vegas police refused.
“He claimed that he owned the sidewalks,” Taylor said. Georgia Democratic “congressman John Lewis led us on the sidewalks to say that nobody’s going to own the people on the sidewalks,” he added. “Sheldon then appealed the decision of the police not to arrest us all the way to the Supreme Court.”
Taylor said Adelson lost that battle — the courts upheld a finding of anti-labor practices against his company — but now the casino mogul thinks he can purchase a presidency.
“I think it’s very scary that any one candidate would be so beholden to one persona, a billionaire, who obviously has a very specific agenda that he wants to achieve,” said Taylor.
But Rogich, Adelson’s consultant, said that agenda consists of nothing more than trying to elect a good friend who he believes “would be a great president.”
“And that’s what this process is all about — that’s why we call it America,” he said. “You have the right to spend your money how you’d like to spend it.”
Leave a Comment:
Wait, are you telling us that Gingrich's main lobbyist is a casino pimp ? When some serious entrepreneur backs the Grinch, maybe I will reconsider my vote. For that, this appears to me just a gamble.
Newt is also getting Millions from the Jihad !!!!!!!!!!!!!
It doesn't matter who wins the "election". Whoever is in office will serve the fascist/corporate oligarchy. Taking orders from Zionist trash like Adelson will just insure WW3. But the right wing fundamentalist clowns of America actually believe the racist Jewish garbage that God loves the Jews above all people. That is why the Jewish Nazis commit one atrocity after another and get away with it. The American bully has their back. The world would be a better place if we turned our backs on the Israeli thugs and let the rest of the world show them how to behave.
It is despicable that Newt is still running with all his family values in the septic tank.
From a Gambling Tycoon, this is the worst bet in history. If he wins, he loses more. A Newt nomination = Obama re-election. We know Obama is anti-semetic.
This is interesting, but MSNBC only writes deragatory articles about the opposition. There is never any criticism of Obama. Why is it we have never read an article entitled, "George Soros, profile of the billionaire funding Obama." Or "Follow the money tree from the $100s of billions in 'Stimulus funds' shoveled from our Treasury into the pockets of Obama's cronies and then back into Obama's pockets." You guys are not journalists. You're propagandists and apologists for Obama
Not sure who does your taxes, but the 15% tax is on the net profits from his investments...there is no double taxation as you imply. His original amount was taxed, but at the point he purchased an investment he established a base price. The 15% tax is on his net profit after he liquidates his "Long Term" investment, otherwise if it's short term, it gets added to his adjusted income and pays out whatever that rate is...
Larry,
Israelis should pay for their own defense and make their own economy work. The fact that they can't isn't what free enterprise is all about. If they had to participate in the economic world as real citizen instead of as a welfare child of the US government, then they would quickly change their tune and realize that antagonizing their neighbors is not profitable.
If their neighbors are lobbing bombs at them, then they should ask themselves why? The way they treat the Palestinians that live within their own country, or commute there for work, is akin to the way southerns treated the slaves. The fact that they believe that they are entitled to a land grab because of religious traditions is disgusting. If we went back far enough, before the Bible was even written, the Hittites could claim Israel. It's time for the Jewish community in the US and Israel to quit fighting the 1949 war, and face the political realities of today and make peace. Do it before all your friends walk away and leave you to your own devices.
obama has learned how to destroy any economy from soros. Obama is a quick study!!!
So will obama turn U.S. into a communist nation paying tribute to his mentor frank marshall davis and in appreciation for the efforts of his former green jobs tsar van jones?
or
Does obama intend to go the way of his friend's and current members of his team valarie jarrett, andy stern and cass sunstein and develop some modified socialist, marxist society determined to SHARE the WEALTH???
I know the lib's don't like their messiah called a communist?
I guess I'll go with anti-Capitalist or anti-American progressive???
obama is destroying our nation!!!!
Vote soros and obama out in November!!!!
Do you only listen to Rush?
I sure do!!!
And Fox!!!
You should try real news instead.
So does my retarded 4th Cousin. He likes how Rush sounds incredulous 24/7 while appealing to the race hatred of those functioning at a slightly higher level.
Golf, would that fat eddie schultz or rachael madcow???
lt, your idolizing major hassan make you a non-entity but I would like to say shove your racism up your AZZ!!!
1
1
tsk tsk. Another angry Republican.
Not angry passionate, really opposed to anyone impersonating a US military officer??
Tissue for your angry tears?
Is that all you do is whine and bicker and complain non-stop about Ayers, Soros, and all the other non-issues that lost you the last presidential election.
Taters to peel?
How about we tax campaign contributions??? They won't pay taxes any other way..........I think 50% tax on anything over $100 sounds fair...........
I think a hefty tax on offshore accounts and offshore profits would be in order too.
I think a hefty tax on offshore accounts and offshore profits would be in order too.
Neither Gingrich nor Romney should be allowed to run for any political office. They have no intent or desire to be public servants. Their interest is more fame and fortune. Millionaires should never be allowed in the political arena period.
These folks have in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant.............
These folks have in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant.............
These folks have in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant.............
These folks have in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant.............
These folks have in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant.............
These folks have in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant!
These folks have it in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant!
These folks have it in their heads they're entitle, you're supposed to be THEIR servant!
Like everything else in the world of the gop, it's only if you are in the upper 1% and it don't matter how you got there. That history can be rewritten. Take romney, the guy reissues his last year tax return. If you didn't like that one how about this one. Gringrinch has been reborn.
To...KAYBEETOYS...
Why doesn't anyone check into Obama's Arabic backers and what our country had to pay from our tax dollars of those from the Arab nations to see his inaugaration....NOW there is something to Google and research!
You are completely nuts.
Hey are you too computer illiterate to check on the facts yourself or are you just plain lazy Golf?
Hey are you too computer illiterate to check on the facts yourself or are you just plain lazy Golf?
Too Golfsleft...Hey are you too computer illiterate to check on the facts yourself or are you just plain lazy Golf?
Newt and the Israeli Casino guy look alike.
Gingrich billionaire supporter bad...
Obama billionaire supporter (soreass) good...
Gingrich billionaire supporter bad...
Obama billionaire supporter (soreass) good...
Gingrich billionaire supporter bad...
Obama billionaire supporter (soreass) good...
Gingrich billionaire supporter bad...
Obama billionaire supporter (soreholes) good...
Gingrich billionaire supporter bad...
Obama billionaire supporter (soreholes) good...
With facts like this, it makes you wonder if there is some truth to the tin-foiled Rothschild/Israeli conspiracy take over the world, Bilderberg, One World Order, Free Mason, Heritage Foundation, and most profoundly, the Book of Revelation, rule of the antichrist, the Mayan Calendar, and all of the other awful predictions and prophecies of this generation being the end of the age, and the coming judgement of the King of Kings, and end of this evil rule of man influenced by the prince of this age.
You know what that means Beloved? Safely Home. Signed Sealed and Delivered, We're His.
With facts like this, it makes you wonder if there is some truth to the tin-foiled Rothschild/Israeli conspiracy take over the world, Bilderberg, One World Order, Free Mason, Heritage Foundation, and most profoundly, the Book of Revelation, rule of the antichrist, the Mayan Calendar, and all of the other awful predictions and prophecies of this generation being the end of the age, and the coming judgement of the King of Kings, and end of this evil rule of man influenced by the prince of this age.
You know what that means Beloved? Safely Home. Signed Sealed and Delivered, We're His.
I had to laugh ,this Billionaire compares himself to Joe Kennedy who helped his son,what is he a relative of Newt?Now ask yourself something if a person invest millions on a candidate what is he getting in return?
Good question. Just what is he going to get out of this investment?
That darn Supreme Court Decision allowing anyone, any country, heck could be our foreign policy enemies, to fill the buckets of our election process. We will never know.
Something wicked this way comes.
Of course billionaires would be backing Gingrich, he wants to reduce capital gains tax rates to zero. That way many billionaires would pay zero income taxes because capital gains is the basis for their earnings!
Heck if he promised to reduce my federal taxes to zero I would support him to!
Capital gains and income taxes are two separate things. The income used for the capital investment has already been taxed at least once. Perhaps zero is a bit extreme, but the lower the tax on long term capital gains, the quicker you will see a turn around in employment, and the economy in general.
Blamo,
don't give the liberal lemmings too many "money" facts at the same time.
Their brains will explode.
They actually think money is created in D.C. and then doled out to all the people ( mostly Democrats. lol).
It is the profits or gains from capital investments which is taxed as a capital gain. The original capital investment amount is not taxed, only the increase in the value of the investment which is taxed when sold.
The GOTP don't understand capital gains, just special interests. LMAO
Newt said if he gets into the White House he will get out the old Reagan jelly bean jars and fill them with Viagra for his next wife ???
SCHAWAANG!!