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Million-Dollar Donors In the 2012 presidential campaign, two dozen wealthy Americans have donated at least a million dollars each to superPACs supporting the candidates. Who are these seven-figure — and even eight-figure — donors?
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Million-Dollar Donors

Who are the wealthy Americans pumping millions into presidential superPACs?

Tuesday

Melons, Squash, Cash: A Million-Dollar Donor Sprouts

Amy Goldman, known for her gardens and her illustrated coffee-table books about plants, has donated $1 million to a pro-Obama superPAC. Sandi Fellman hide caption

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Sandi Fellman

Melons, Squash, Cash: A Million-Dollar Donor Sprouts

Until recently, Amy Goldman, the author of lavish books about heirloom fruits and vegetables, didn't have much interest in politics. But her concern about women's health led her to donate $1 million to a pro-Obama superPAC — and another million to Planned Parenthood's political arm.

Melons, Squash, Cash: A Million-Dollar Donor Sprouts

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Thursday

Friday

For A Billionaire, $2M Gets You Superdonor Status

Bill Koch (center) celebrates his team's 1992 America's Cup win. Koch, the brother of billionaire GOP donors Charles and David, has given $2 million to the superPAC backing Mitt Romney. Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images

For A Billionaire, $2M Gets You Superdonor Status

After winning the 1992 America's Cup race, Bill Koch — the brother of billionaire industrialists David and Charles — treated all 260-plus people on the team, plus their families, to a trip to Hawaii. Now, the lesser known Koch brother has entered the presidential derby big leagues with a $2 million donation to the superPAC supporting Mitt Romney.

For A Billionaire, $2M Gets You Superdonor Status

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Saturday

With Eye On Future, Billionaire Investor Bets On Paul

PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who has donated more than $2.5 million to a superPAC backing GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, speaks at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., in October. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

With Eye On Future, Billionaire Investor Bets On Paul

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.

With Eye On Future, Billionaire Investor Bets On Paul

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Friday

Head Of Shrek's Studio Puts Millions Behind Obama

Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, shown at CinemaCon 2012, has donated $2 million to the pro-Obama superPAC Priorities USA Action. Chris Pizzello/AP hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/AP

Head Of Shrek's Studio Puts Millions Behind Obama

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.

Head Of Shrek's Studio Puts Millions Behind Obama

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Thursday

On The Million-Dollar Trail Of A Mystery SuperPAC Donor

Some superPAC donors are hiding from public scrutiny. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

Planet Money

On The Million-Dollar Trail Of A Mystery SuperPAC Donor

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?

On The Million-Dollar Trail Of A Mystery SuperPAC Donor

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Tuesday

Hedge fund manager Paul Singer of Elliott Management has donated $1 million to Mitt Romney's superPAC.

Hedge fund manager Paul Singer of Elliott Management has donated $1 million to Mitt Romney's superPAC. Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Landov

SuperDonor Backs Romney — And Gay Marriage

Billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer has given $1 million to Restore Our Future, the superPAC supporting Mitt Romney. Singer is a longtime donor to GOP causes, but he's also a high-profile, big-money advocate for gay marriage.

SuperDonor Backs Romney — And Gay Marriage

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Saturday

Betting Big On Santorum, Donor's Motives A Mystery

In a video from the Horatio Alger Association, William Doré tells of a tense and abusive childhood. Horatio Alger Association/YouTube hide caption

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Horatio Alger Association/YouTube

Betting Big On Santorum, Donor's Motives A Mystery

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?

Betting Big On Santorum, Donor's Motives A Mystery

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Thursday

Family Ties To Marriott Heirs Pay Off For Romney

J.W. Marriott dines with his son Bill in a Hot Shoppe in March 1969. The elder Marriott was close to Mitt Romney's father, George. Dennis Brack/Landov hide caption

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Dennis Brack/Landov

Family Ties To Marriott Heirs Pay Off For Romney

Hotel tycoons J.W. and Richard Marriott have each donated $750,000 to the superPAC supporting Mitt Romney. The Romney and Marriott families share their Mormon faith — and a friendship that dates back a generation.

Family Ties To Marriott Heirs Pay Off For Romney

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Friday

A Wyoming Millionaire Places His Faith In Santorum

Foster Friess introduces Rick Santorum at the 2012 CPAC Conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10 wearing a sweater vest embroidered with the candidate's name. Ron Sachs/CNP DPA/Landov hide caption

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Ron Sachs/CNP DPA/Landov

A Wyoming Millionaire Places His Faith In Santorum

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.

A Wyoming Millionaire Places His Faith In Santorum

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Wednesday

Bill Maher's Obama SuperPAC Donation Causing Stir

Bill Maher, shown here at a 2011 event in Los Angeles, gave $1 million to the superPAC supporting President Obama's re-election bid. Chris Pizzello/AP hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/AP

Bill Maher's Obama SuperPAC Donation Causing Stir

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.

Bill Maher's Obama SuperPAC Donation Causing Stir

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Wednesday

Lots Of GOP Money Flowing From The Texas Two

Texas businessman Harold Simmons stands outside a Dallas courthouse in this 1997 photo. Flor Cordero/Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Flor Cordero/Reuters /Landov

Lots Of GOP Money Flowing From The Texas Two

The latest Federal Election Commission reports shed new light on the political largesse of two Texas businessmen. One has contributed to three active GOP presidential candidates, including a new $1 million check to the superPAC backing Rick Santorum. The other just gave $3 million more to Mitt Romney's superPAC.

Lots Of GOP Money Flowing From The Texas Two

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Tuesday

For A Personal Cause, Casino Owner Bets On Gingrich

Sheldon Adelson speaks at the 2008 "Facing Tomorrow" Presidential Conference in Jerusalem. David Silverman/Getty Images hide caption

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David Silverman/Getty Images

For A Personal Cause, Casino Owner Bets On Gingrich

One of the defining elements of the 2012 presidential campaign is money. Two dozen wealthy Americans have put in at least $1 million each. And one of the biggest donors is Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who has almost single-handedly kept Newt Gingrich's campaign afloat.

For A Personal Cause, Casino Owner Bets On Gingrich

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