Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam Ochsorn, leaving a Mitt Romney speech in Jerusalem on July 29, 2012. (Photo: Charles Dharapak / AP)
The Daily Beast reports on what Sheldon Adelson expects from Mitt Romney in return for the $100 million he plans to dump into the 2012 presidential election:
Casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson, a major contributor to Mitt Romney’s election effort, is pressing the Republican nominee to come out for the release of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, a major Republican donor and associates of Adelson and Romney tell The Daily Beast. . . .
The issue is apparently one of a handful where Romney differs from Adelson on Israel. The billionaire has also asked Romney to state publicly that Israeli-Palestinian peace talks are a waste of time because the Palestinians are unwilling to make peace, according to the sources—and he wants a firmer commitment from Romney to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in what would be a de facto recognition of Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem. For his part, Romney has not said peace talks are a waste of time and has gone only partway on the embassy question, saying he would undertake the move in consultation with the Israeli government—a campaign promise other presidents have made. (Adelson has pressed Romney to pledge to move the embassy without consulting the Israeli government.)
Spokespeople for both men declined to comment on the private talks between Adelson and Romney. Ron Resse, a spokesman for Adelson, was willing to say that the two men were not always on the same page. “People that support candidates are bound to disagree with these candidates on some particular issues,” he told The Daily Beast. But he said Adelson and Romney agree “on most big issues.” Asked what Adelson expected from Romney in return for his support, Reese said the billionaire has no expectations in terms of foreign or domestic policy. “He hopes to be invited to the Chanukah party at the White House,” Reese said.
Funny enough, Adelson told Forbes in February, “I’m against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections.” (But his rationale is, if George Soros is going to do it, so will he.)
In other news, Adelson filed a $60 million libel suit against the National Jewish Democratic Council for saying he “condoned prostitution in his Macau casino properties.”
Adelson at the opening of the Sands Cotai Central in Macau, April, 2012. (Photo: AP/Kin Cheung)
(h/t Matthew Taylor)
The puppet master pulls the strings and the puppet dances to his tune. A perfect illustration of how money corrupts the democratic and political process. One unhinged billionaire, with the political agenda of a hostile foreign government, calls the shots whilst the voters watch from the sidelines, their opinions and interests of no significance to the political classes, never mind the simple universal principle of human rights. Odious little man.
I dont know how to react to all of this Adelson shit. The other day at Tikun Olam, Silverstein linked to a piece in the Israeli press that specfically mentioned “The Protocols” when discussing this clown. And, unfortunately, it was entirely appropriate.
This guy is a cartoon, and is a clear example of why group/identity politics is so dangerous.
“I’m against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections.”
In the most democratic country in the world (Norway), the workers pay unions who then pay for the campaign of the Labour party. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index )
Rich people does not like this! (There is just so many people in those evil unions paying, and so few billionaires who want to get rid of their money).
Political commercials in TV and radio is forbidden.
Rich people does not like this!
ALL tax returns is public. (Everyone can see how much their neighbor and the king earns).
Rich people does not like this!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4318382.stm
The people like this. And continue to vote for the party that represents them.
Rich people does not like this!
Does Sheldon’s wishlist including giving Israeli officials secret US intelligence so they can use it to manipulate the US? If so, maybe he should stick with Obama:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-57489798-503543/israel-defense-chief-suggests-u.s-has-new-intelligence-bringing-worries-over-iran-in-line-with-israels/
I’m sure he would also like to see an Attorney General in office who would drop the Justice Department’s criminal investigation of him for not reporting potentially laundered money.
Of course, he’s not going to admit that that’s on his wish list.