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Big GOP donors are holding back on 2012
StarTribune.com ^ | April 23, 2011 | Melanie Mason & Matea Gold

Posted on 04/24/2011 8:59:29 AM PDT by Al B.

WASHINGTON - Michael Ashner was one of Sen. John McCain's major fundraisers in the 2008 presidential campaign, bringing in $500,000 for the Republican nominee.

That makes the Oyster Bay, N.Y., real estate investment executive one of the most sought-after bundlers for prospective GOP candidates in 2012. Supporters of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have been particularly persistent in wooing him -- New York Jets owner Woody Johnson even invited him to take in a football game in his private box.

But Ashner is reluctant to sign up with any of the White House hopefuls.

"I'm sort of hiding under my desk when the calls come in," said Ashner, noting that he still wants to learn more about the contenders. "I don't see a dynamic candidate out there yet. A number of them have interesting credentials, but they just strike me as a little lackluster."

[...]

"I think many people feel the field is not yet complete and are holding back a bit to see how it develops before they make commitments," said Fred Malek, who was a national finance co-chairman for McCain.

"The prospective candidates themselves are taking much longer to reach a decision point, and therefore it would be expected that major donors would be holding back as well."

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: election2012; palin
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To: Al B.

Wonder if the donors are waiting to do the Obama scam On Line Donor and make it untraceable?.
It would be a great in your face return.


21 posted on 04/24/2011 9:40:56 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: FreeReign

Allen West and Trump are the only ones speaking frankly and taking it to Barry. If some other GOP candidate does not find their voice you are going to see Trump jump in, suck all the air out of the room and cruise to the GOP nomination with possibly West as his VP.


22 posted on 04/24/2011 9:41:56 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: Al B.
Experience gives you staying power in the saddle. No sense giving it up to feel good for the moment, only to find out your ride needs to be changed.

The GOP field sure is like one of those little duck ponds at the carnival.

23 posted on 04/24/2011 9:42:41 AM PDT by blackdog (The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop)
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To: Al B.

Last election the elites had their turn with McCain. The insider know it all’s knew nothing. If the field is truly lackluster in 2012, then run Palin.


24 posted on 04/24/2011 9:45:24 AM PDT by Vision ("Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40)
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To: JSDude1

Those who have genuine credentials lack the fire....those who have the fire lack genuine credentials.


25 posted on 04/24/2011 9:45:42 AM PDT by wtc911 ("How you gonna get down that hill?")
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To: MizSterious
Read carefully. I said “some of the truth.” No, I do not trust Trump

I did read your comment. I wasn't disagreeing with it. I was only adding to your comment.

26 posted on 04/24/2011 9:54:38 AM PDT by FreeReign
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To: Georgia Girl 2
I haven't heard Trump speak the truth about the budget and government spending.

Allen West and Trump are the only ones speaking frankly and taking it to Barry. If some other GOP candidate does not find their voice you are going to see Trump jump in, suck all the air out of the room and cruise to the GOP nomination with possibly West as his VP.

As I pointed out, Trump isn't speaking frankly and taking it to Barry on the budget and government spending.

Palin, Bachmann and yes West are.

27 posted on 04/24/2011 9:59:22 AM PDT by FreeReign
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To: Al B.

That the big money is NOT flocking to Romney is very good news indeed.

That it is frustrating and disheartening for Team Romney is even better. They are a pack of nasty, dishonest, little pricks.


28 posted on 04/24/2011 10:03:35 AM PDT by Buckeye Battle Cry (Terrorism is nothing more than Kinetic Islam)
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To: Buckeye Battle Cry; Diogenesis
That it is frustrating and disheartening for Team Romney is even better. They are a pack of nasty, dishonest, little pricks.

Ain't that the truth!

29 posted on 04/24/2011 10:43:29 AM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: Al B.

Waiting to see if they nominate ANOTHER old party food ala Bob Dole, Juan McLame, or a host of RINO go along rubbage like Mitt, Newt, Rudy, or the huckster?


30 posted on 04/24/2011 10:56:18 AM PDT by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) " Crusade", I sort of like the sound of that.)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

I like Sarah as well but I doubt she is going to run. It is unfortunate but the way the press has treated her and the amount of our fellow citizens who buy into that crap have simply ruined any chances she might have had. You would think that the females would vote for her in droves but sadly all black females will vote for Obama, and a large number of white and Hispanic females will do the same.


31 posted on 04/24/2011 11:06:09 AM PDT by Graneros ("Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.")
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To: Al B.

Pence, Palin, or Christie could walk away with the nomination. With the right Veep (Rubio? West?) they would win 2012 with huge coat tails. I really, really wish Pence would reconsider.


32 posted on 04/24/2011 11:15:32 AM PDT by MattinNJ (Will a hero rise in 2012?)
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To: Al B.; Virginia Ridgerunner; onyx; sarah fan UK

“Hmmmm....wonder what they’re waiting for...LOL.”

*******************************************

Question answers itself, Al. These so-called big donors (the Koch brothers notably excepted) are not “true believers” but investors whose political contributions, often to both parties or several candidates within a party are designed to buy influence after the election.

“She whose name dare not be spoken” has frozen these high rollers in place. If they contribute to Romney or any of the other dwarfs and Governor Palin then enters and sweeps the field (which they know to be highly possible), they will not only have wasted their money. They will have compounded their mistake by antagonizing, if not Palin herself, at least her supporters and inner circle. It will have been the mother of all bad investments.

These big spenders are analogous to an army that is entrenched. They will not gain any ground, but they are less likely to be routed, if they stay put particularly if there is a large army on the prowl in the vicinity. If they venture out without adequate knowledge of the ground (i.e.- Palin’s intentions and her actual strength, which they rightly fear to be prodigious), they risk being overrun or flanked.

The key to understanding these Establishment donors and really think is to watch HOW and WHEN they spend their money.

In 2000, there was no one standing in George W. Bush’s way, so they gladly opened their check books to the tune of $100 million. It was basically a no lose proposition.

In 2012, there is someone standing in the way. She lives in Alaska.


33 posted on 04/24/2011 12:05:18 PM PDT by Brices Crossroads
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To: Al B.

Huge mystery...LOL.
This *big donor’s* [LOL] money is sitting on the sideline waiting for her!


34 posted on 04/24/2011 1:57:39 PM PDT by onyx (If you truly support Sarah Palin and want to be on her busy ping list, let me know!)
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To: Al B.

to whom would they give - there is no strong candidate yet.


35 posted on 04/24/2011 6:06:21 PM PDT by elpadre (AfganistaMr Obama said the goal was to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda" and its allies.)
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To: Al B.

waiting for Sarah


36 posted on 04/24/2011 8:41:13 PM PDT by The Wizard (Madam President is my President now, and in the future)
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To: MizSterious

Post #13 you nailed it.


37 posted on 04/25/2011 9:57:51 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Governor Sarah Heath Palin for President of the United States in 2012)
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