Some of the Republican Party’s biggest donors – businessmen like Texas homebuilder Bob Perry and Manhattan hedge fund tycoon Paul Singer – have a message for President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats: They’re back.
After reducing their check writing during the latter days of George W. Bush’s presidency and John McCain’s 2008 campaign to succeed him, wealthy conservatives have been re-energized by the 2010 mid-term election, giving to GOP candidates and campaign committees as well as the independent groups that back Republicans in unprecedented amounts.
Since Obama took office, ten of the most active conservative donors identified by a POLITICO analysis have contributed $19 million to Republican candidates and the political committees that boost them – a pace that far eclipses their giving at this point in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles, according to professional fundraisers, as well as anything big Democratic donors have done.
The numbers analyzed by POLITICO – compiled from campaign finance reports filed with the Internal Revenue Service, Federal Election Commission and various state campaign finance agencies – reflect personal donations as well as contributions from immediate family members and their corporations.
Full story: GOP’s big money men return – Kenneth P. Vogel – POLITICO.com.