Paul Ryan—who, as an elected federal official, is barred from soliciting donations over $2.7k—flew to Las Vegas, told GOP donor Sheldon Adelson 2018 midterms are "crucial" then left the room while a lobbyist secured a $30M super PAC donation from Adelson https://t.co/pGcStZxCqr pic.twitter.com/cJBbS8ivyu
— Anna Massoglia (@annalecta) May 10, 2018
If there’s any doubt as to why Trump figured his bagman could practically plaster “THIS SPACE FOR RENT” signs on the Oval Office, here’s a Politico story — “Sheldon Adelson kicks in $30M to stop Democratic House takeover”:
… The long-sought donation was sealed last week when, according to two senior Republicans, House Speaker Paul Ryan flew to Las Vegas to meet with the billionaire at his Venetian Hotel. Also at the meeting with Adelson was his wife, Miriam; Norm Coleman, the former Minnesota senator who chairs the Republican Jewish Coalition; Corry Bliss, who oversees the super PAC; and Jake Kastan, Ryan’s No. 2 political aide. They laid out a case to Adelson about how crucial it is to protect the House.
As a federally elected official, Ryan is not permitted to solicit seven-figure political donations. When Ryan (R-Wis.) left the room, Coleman made the ask and secured the $30 million contribution…
Adelson’s donation comes at a perilous moment for House Republicans, who are facing growing headwinds as they try to save their majority. With dozens of incumbents being outraised by emboldened Democratic challengers, desperate party officials have been hoping that Adelson — the party’s most prominent benefactor — would give more than he traditionally does, and earlier in the election cycle.
Adelson came through by giving now, as opposed to waiting until late summer or the fall.
The $30 million contribution is three times as much as Adelson gave to [the Congressional Leadership Fund] in 2016. And the cash comes much earlier in the cycle: In 2016, Adelson gave CLF $10 million in August, as the campaign headed into the homestretch…
Accepting a “love offering” is not illegal if you’re careful to be out of the room when the check gets passed.
Donald Trump is not some kind of malignant oddity that took over the formerly innocent Republican Party. Donald Trump is just the latest refinement on the GOP standard.
Repub Venality Open Thread: Paul Ryan, Within the Limits of the LawPost + Comments (104)