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Million-Dollar Donors
With Eye On Future, Billionaire Investor Bets On Paul
May 19, 2012 It may seem like a long shot, but that's exactly what Peter Thiel invests in. The Silicon Valley venture capitalist, who co-founded PayPal and was an early investor in Facebook, has said his support for Ron Paul is the best chance for now to encourage a libertarian movement.
It's All Politics
Billionaire Donor Joe Ricketts: From Behind The Scenes To Center Stage
May 17, 2012 TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts became front-page news Thursday because of a report he was considering a $10 million ad campaign that would attack President Obama over his former pastor. But Ricketts has been quietly funding conservative political causes for the past few years.
Million-Dollar Donors
Head Of Shrek's Studio Puts Millions Behind Obama
May 11, 2012 Some two dozen Americans have given $1 million or more to superPACs in the 2012 presidential campaign. The vast majority of them have been Republicans, but Jeffrey Katzenberg, the head of DreamWorks Animation, has chipped in $2 million to help out the superPAC supporting President Obama.
Obama Lures Donors With A Hollywood Sweepstakes
May 10, 2012 President Obama is attending a fundraiser at the California home of actor George Clooney, along with about 150 guests. Almost anyone can attend, if they pony up $40,000. But for a few sweepstakes winners, the price of admission is about $3. It's the latest innovation in political fundraising.
Romney's Big-Dollar 'Bundlers' Stay Anonymous
April 30, 2012 Since 2000, every presidential nominee has revealed the names of influential supporters known as "bundlers" who persuade others to give money to a candidate. But this year, Mitt Romney's campaign is not identifying its bundlers.
FCC To Vote On Putting TV's Campaign Ad Data Online
April 27, 2012 TV stations are already compelled to keep records about the campaign ads they air in public files. The FCC's chairman says it's time to make that information available on the Internet. But the stations are resisting.
It's All Politics
Some Campaign Donors Putting Their Money Where Their Mouth Isn't
April 26, 2012 Much of the attention on money in politics this election cycle has been focused on the new superPACs and their wealthy donors. But publicity-shy donors have an alternative: politically active nonprofit organizations, where they can give all they want without disclosing their identity.
Planet Money
On The Million-Dollar Trail Of A Mystery SuperPAC Donor
April 26, 2012 The superPACs raising money to support the presidential candidates have few restrictions. But they do have to reveal who donated money. So what happens when a donation comes from someone trying to avoid public scrutiny?
Campaign Finance Disclosures Mark A Turning Point
April 21, 2012 We have a new look at the fundraising contest being waged by President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney. Romney may like to say the president is out of ideas, but Obama's re-election campaign is definitely not out of money.
It's All Politics
Presidential Fundraising Numbers Poised To Skyrocket
April 20, 2012 Numbers in for March show GOP candidate Mitt Romney raised $12.6 million and President Obama's re-election effort raised $53 million. But the race is changing, now that Romney is finishing up the GOP primary season. He's also just starting to solicit his primary donors to give again.
Million-Dollar Donors
Betting Big On Santorum, Donor's Motives A Mystery
April 8, 2012 While some of the mega-donors to the presidential superPACs have understandable self-interest or are frequent political givers, Louisiana businessman and oil industry executive William Doré is an enigmatic figure. He's given $1.5 million to the superPAC supporting Rick Santorum, but why?
Million-Dollar Donors
A Wyoming Millionaire Places His Faith In Santorum
March 31, 2012 Recently, Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has shown strong fundraising numbers. But earlier in the contest, the campaign was relying on donations to a pro-Santorum superPAC and its vocal and generous benefactor — multimillionaire Foster Friess.
Million-Dollar Donors
Bill Maher's Obama SuperPAC Donation Causing Stir
March 28, 2012 The comedian's $1 million check to the superPAC supporting President Obama is the first seven-figure donation to the group since Obama gave his tacit endorsement of the fundraising strategy. Conservative women upset by Maher's remarks about them say the superPAC should give back the money.
Interactive: February 2012 Day-To-Day Fundraising
March 21, 2012 Mitt Romney and the superPAC supporting him continued to set the pace in GOP fundraising in February. But Rick Santorum also did well, raising $9 million, while the superPAC supporting him raised nearly $3 million. President Obama raised the most of all candidates for the month.
Romney, SuperPAC Outspend Rivals Combined
March 21, 2012 Financial reports filed at the Federal Election Commission show that in February, Mitt Romney and a superPAC supporting him yet again spent more than all of his GOP opponents combined. But none of February's GOP contests translated into a fundraising bounce for the candidates.
