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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:
Sheldon Adelson 'plays to win' and 'puts his money where his mouth is.'
He ought to put his money where Gingrich's mouth is ... to prevent people from figuring out how stupid he is.
Marc,
Wow........Now THAT was insightful! I'm impressed!!!
"“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."
Is there such a thing as a "good Zionist"? I think it's an oxymoron. People that believe that they have a God-given right to a certain area of land, and to displace and carry out violence against those displaced people, just seem dangerously out of touch with reality. A sniper for the IDF is a "good Zionist"? Please.
But I guess its ok that GEORGE SOROS has been doing this for the last 30 years???
I guess when you're a billionare,you can be as ugly and stupid as you want to be. Mr. Adleson, you may have money but you don't have something I do....my vote. You love Israel so much Mr. Adleson, then go live there! Your money will not sway my vote, newt the toad is THE last person I'd endorse with my vote.
capaleen,
No more than the pricks fleeing from other lands that oppress them but still fly their flags on the rear-view mirrors of their cars. Why in the phuck don't they go back?
Of course he is not trying to buy the presidency, he knows he can only rent it.
Oh, let's introduce him to George Soros who's funding a far-left progressive campaign. Oh wait, that's off-limits for "mainstream" media.
Hey, maybe we could get Murdock to help out also. Gee, what a three some that would be. Faux noise could even cover the event.
I find it funny that the Liberal National Media condemns the Republicans for having 'money' people support their campaign, but doesn't say a thing about Obama's getting backed by 'players' in Wall Street or Goldman Sacs (who he bailed out!). Typical of the Liberal Left Wing though!
I think the supreme court put the final nail in the average persons voting coffin . But then they're nothing more than modern day bought & paid for jurists . The money has elected presidents for the last hundred years & that will just get worse . No politico need worry anymore about issues or what they stand for they just depend on their super pac to smear the other guy . Our modern middle ages have begun the rich will have everything & the rest of us will struggle to survive .
1
TO be fair, which of course NBC which means Never Been Creditable, would never want to do,,such run the same story on the Billionaires who support Obama and his American Wrecking Crew and how much money they have made off of Obama's bad decisions...But of course we will never see such a story on NBC...not on their Agenda...
Also I noted that many website around the Nation and Newspapers are carrying stories about how many "Green Stimulus" Company's have failed..funny most are owned by Demoncrat Backers er Donors...................
Pity the poor socialist dems. The Republicans have an answer to George "The Dirt Bag Anarchist" Soros.
No...he isn't trying to buy anything. He just wants Gingrich to introduce him to some good looking ladies and have dinner at his house Sundays. First he should can the bad combover.
HAHAHAHA.....good one! "one toad turns to the other toad,and sez..."
Gawd..these are 2 of the ugliest guys I've ever seen,they deserve each other. Toadie 1, and Toadie 2.
HAHAHAHA.....good one! "one toad turns to the other toad,and sez..."
Gawd..these are 2 of the ugliest guys I've ever seen,they deserve each other. Toadie 1, and Toadie 2.
1% Adelson is NOT us! He's an Israeli Global Zionist and he's simply corrupting our system with permission from his assigns in the Israeli Supreme Court in D.C. (Citizens United). ARREST HIM!
Hey Obbobatrons another one of Oboobas companies he gave our tax money to went belly up. ANother 118 miilion, great job O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ener1 made electric car batteries, I guess the ones the went in the Chevy volt that cost us 250K a copy, another great job O!!!! Solyndra great job!! First Solar great job!!!! the hits just keep coming. OH lets us not forgot shovel ready jobs but when a real shovel ready job comes along XL pipeline what does Obooba say NO!!!!!!!!!! Obooba MYST GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate all the super pacs. All they do is deteriorate the campaigns down to mudslinging while the candidates sit back and act innocent. Political donations should be the privilege of registered voters only and there should be a cap on how much you can donate.
I find it very disturbing that Gingrichs super pac is headed up by a man who regards his military service as being done unfortunately in an American uniform rather than an Israeli, and who wants his son to grow up to be a SNIPER. What kind of a person wants their child to grow up to kill people? Perhaps Mr Adelson should take his money and go interfere with Israels political system and leave ours alone.
Israel needs to keep these imposters here to try and influence the government to IDOLIZE Israel. It appear that half the worlds problems are caused or justified as trying to keep Israel from disappearing in the Arabic world.Maybe if they tried being a little more congenial or cooperative they would not have to worry about becoming extinct.Contribute to world peace instead of staying on the sidelines asking the US to protect your backs.
it's doesn't matter.
as long as the job numbers remain where they are... the supreme socialist has 0 change.
ps - those job numbers aren't heading up anytime soon.
bye bye O
What I love about this is the GOP party of the conservative, right, good christian people, getting money from a casino owner.
rebeljake,
So........? How many people does he employ? How many mouths does he feed?
Huh, illogical, stupid putz?
rebeljake,
So........? How many people does he employ? How many mouths does he feed?
Huh, illogical, stupid putz?
Of course Adelson is trying to buy the presidency! As are all the other big backers of these super Pacs-- why else would they donate the millions??
Citizens United--Worst decision ever by the SCOTUS. Corporations are financial and commercial entities- NOT people
Last I saw those evil corporations hire millions of people, provide them salaries, the ability to get married, buy homes, send their kids to school, get health benefits and matching 401ks etc. Corporations are millions upon millions of people. I'll take a job as opposed to a meager handout from the Government and you can keep their lies and empty promises. They are the ones that have destroyed the economy not businesses. Get over the class warfare stuff
DocHolliday-2979123, you need to quit drinking all the Liberal Left Wing Kool-Aid that Obama is giving you. The tax rate for anyone making over One Million is 35% - look it up. Yes, they get deductibles like all the rest of us. Also, the 15% that Obama is talking about and fails to mention is on their investments.
Also, where do you think Obama gets his money from? Not thin air for sure - how about Wall Street and Goldman Sacs who he bailed out. Also, of course there is Soro's and Buffet! Of course, you don't consider them. GET REAL!!
DocHolliday-2979123
What is the BIG issue here?? Obama got elected with George Soros money=PLUS favors for him (SOROS) so where is the issue here==what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
There’s an old proverb that goes something like, ”money flows from power, not the other way around.” Guys like Adelson understand this all too well, and that the trick is to buy enough power to keep the money flowing your way. So Newt, how does it feel to be some rich guy’s investment? For your sake, you had better generate something better than T-Bill yields for him or you may get a midnight visit from a few Israeli soldiers yourself.
Um...Joe Kennedy did buy the election for John Kennedy. Anyone who believes different is denying history. Therefore, Adelson IS trying to buy it for Newt (and will fail miserably).
and Soros for himself then?
Soros thinks we should be like Europe... a failed socialist entity.
great plan... as a matter of fact... i hear Greece is lovely this time of year... head over
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he can spend all the $$ he wants because nobody is going to elect gingrich.... the pubs have no candidate who can beat obama.... sorry boys, the only thing you can agree upon is to support tax cuts for the wealthy.
lol
tick... tock... tick... tock.
bad news lefty... with the economy where it is... anyone will beat the Socialist
He supports the infusion of our aid to Israel at the expense of the American infrastructure. Again we back a hawkish regime that will lead us into a war that makes Iraq and the Afghan look like war games. Let this man go live in the land of his ancestors and make his money there. But again now the offices of America go to the highest bidder not those who shoulder the burden and suffer for being honest and day to day life. When is this ignorant electorate going to wake up and get rid of the whole mess. The uppers rely on the fact the daily living has become a mind numbing existence. People are too busy trying to make ends meet to pay attention to the crap being done at their expense and left out to rot
granny,
"The offices of America go to the highest bidder". Does that include Obama, Soros, etc?
Granny your a real genius now aren't you? Israel the only friend in the middle East we have and you want to abandon them. Genius pure genius. You must be an Oboobatron.
Actually just about every country in the Middle East with the exception of Iran is a friend of the United States, and any animosity those countries have for us is a direct result of our blinded support for Israel at the expense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.