Major Liberal Fundraiser Steps Down From Soros Group
- Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:31pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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One of the billionaire founders of Democracy Alliance, a club of major liberal donors who caucus together before contributing millions to progressive think tanks and advocacy groups, has stepped down. The Huffington Post reports that Peter Lewis, chairman of Progressive Insurance Companies, has backed away from the organization that includes other billionaire liberal founders like George Soros and Tim Gill:
“Lewis, the eccentric and reclusive founder of the insurer Progressive Corp., is one of the biggest donors in Democratic and liberal politics. He invested $25 million in the failed effort to oust President George W. Bush in 2004, making him one of the biggest donors in American political history. He coordinated his giving that year with billionaire George Soros, who gave $50 million.
Both Lewis and Soros have backed the Democracy Alliance since its founding in 2005. Lewis’ exit from the network did not come as a major surprise to people familiar with him, as he has gradually disengaged from the group in recent years. But the departure of a billionaire of his status is still a blow to the organization, both in fundraising terms and in perception within the liberal donor community.”
POLITICO reported earlier in the month that Lewis was considering leaving the group after it became more partisan and decided to try to raise money for Obama and super PACs devoted to the president and other Democrats:
“The group is shifting away from its original mission of funding liberal think-tanks and policy projects — all in an attempt to mimic the right’s new focus on funding unlimited-money advertising groups, critics say.
But some Democracy Alliance donors — including billionaire founding member Peter Lewis – are considering leaving because they don’t like the shift toward partisan electoral politics.”
[..]
“And a source close to Lewis, who gave $200,000 in June to a super PAC that has been promoted by Democracy Alliance, said the insurance magnate probably won’t give any more cash to super PACs and is not pleased with the DA’s focus on them.
‘Peter is right now reconsidering whether he is going to continue being a partner in the Democracy Alliance,’ said the source, stressing that Lewis “reconsiders his involvement with the DA every year.’ Lewis skipped the conference at which Biden spoke, as well as the Obama fundraiser hosted by McKay and other DA members, which the source said Lewis considered a step away from their original mission.’
The source explained ‘Peter’s focus since 2004 has been on scaling up the progressive infrastructure, as opposed to election or political candidates.’”
Democracy Alliance “is a membership organization and has the same modest turnover as any membership organization. Some old partners leave, new ones are recruited,” a person close to the Democracy Alliance told The Huffington Post in response to Lewis’ departure. In addition to his opposition to George W. Bush, the 78-year-old Lewis has been a major financial supporter of the ACLU and Marijuana Policy Project.
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Comments (52)
Stoic one
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:59pmI used to have
Government
Employees
.I nsurance
C
Ompany
And switched to the one endorsed by ‘Generations America’. What baffled me , was that for years ins. agents would ask what a I carried and walk away saying they could not touch them. 15 months ago I took bids for my needs and was ASTOUNDED !
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 9:45pmMe, too!
Report Post »Windsong
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:58pmMaybe he and George are preparing themselves to lead the ‘new world’…Sorosville or Lewistown – which is it? They are such smart, honorable men (?) that I’m sure that soon, they’ll accomplish their goals, which is to guarantee that everyone in Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Cuba, South American and all Western Nations live in exactly the same squalor…well, except for them. Because they are so… special, they get to decide what nations of citizens will be allowed to live and which will be expunged – for the greater good, of course. Sadly, no citizen will ever prosper or breathe freedom again in their lifetime, but then Old George and Peter know exactly what the world should look like because they‘ve both been practicing playing ’god’ for a really long time.
Report Post »American_Woman
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:20pmAll this means to me is that he’s moving on to bigger fish.
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:15pmI canceled my insurance with Progressive ins. just for this reason once I found out what this org. has ties to I QUIT them
Report Post »bo1921
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:55pm“But some Democracy Alliance donors — including billionaire founding member Peter Lewis – are considering leaving because they don’t like the shift toward partisan electoral politics.”
I suspect, rather, he’s tired of giving up all that cash.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:39pmOr doesn’t want to go down with the ship when Soros is hung
Report Post »fixer
Posted on March 24, 2012 at 10:05amjust another rat jumping of the sinking ship.2012…time to TAKE OUT THE TRASH!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:38pmWhom did not connect… PROGRESSIVE Insurance… to the PROGRESSIVE, AntiAmerican, Movement?
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:58pmThought everyone knew. Many of us refuse to do business with Progressive Insurance because of its ties to “progressiveism”.
Looks like he sees the writing on the wall. Obama is OUTTA THERE!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 10:20pmHere’s a Progressive Thought: If the Progressives destroy Capitalism… they will not have Money to protect themselves from the Communist Exterminators!
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:28pmMaybe he has seen the writing on the wall?
Report Post »“RICH PEOPLE BAD” or NObama will some day take your wealth and give it to his Muslim brothers!
This song is for them that have ears to understand.
“The End Times” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10381143
smokey888x2
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:26pmWell, that’s a slap in the face to communism!!
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:24pmFLO … you got some splainin’ to do
Report Post »Soquel by the Creek
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:20pmDespite spending some $22,600,000, Peter B. Lewis was only the 5th biggest spender on shadowy 527 committees in the 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010 election cycles. George Soros was only #4. Can you guess who was #1?
The Big Spenders Behind the Scenes
Report Post »http://soquelbythecreek.blogspot.com/2010/10/big-spenders-behind-scenes.html
hidden_lion
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:44pmWow, that is a lot of cash from SEIU. Maybe if they saved some of that money they could afford to pay their union members retirements instead of stealing from the tax payer. I am ready to break out the pitch fork.
Report Post »Eaglesnest
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:28pmI get a big kick out of the left who scream like school girls near a bees nest (just made that up) about money in politics and how the republicans are awash in corporate/special interest money. Just examine that chart and see that the overshelming majority (9 out of the top 10 donors) of political contributions are from left-wing organizations giving to dumborats, with the SEIU being the leader by a huge margin. How do they rationalize this?
Report Post »Ghostmaker
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:18pmProgressive also supports media matters.
Report Post »Ghostmaker
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:13pm21st century and Farmers support GOP. Thats what I switched to.
Report Post »Ghostmaker
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:09pmProgressive insurance got canceled today. I found a much cheaper alternative insurance company.
Report Post »bigbear_awake
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:01pmcanceled mine last year been telling everyone i know
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:22pmYeah, one that doesn‘t spend all it’s profits on re-electing union organizers to destroy free enterprise!
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on March 24, 2012 at 1:30amawww . . I like Flo, though. She is so nice and folksy.
Report Post »blaze2453
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:08pm‘Won’t be doing any business with Progressive anytime soon. Guess we really know the intent behind the company’s motives is to really make this country more progressive.
Report Post »Beachbaby
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:07pmPerhaps he can get rid of those stupid commercials too? Its on every three seconds. Ive muted, changed channels and I guess Ill have to boycott the channels that show this propagands information gathering CRAP. Did anyone see Soros slobbering on live tv? He needs a nursing home bad.
Report Post »flatdaddio
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:06pmone of the reasons I would never buy insurance from them…
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:05pmHas anyone else noticed a concerted shift in “subliminal messaging” by all the major news networks in the last couple of weeks? (Except Fox). Not as supportive of this administration anymore. It’s not something to cheer about like a sports event, rather, a relief to know they simply can’t balance the unholy water on their heads anymore.
(I bet they’re sleeping better at night. It’s a million pounds off their conscience).
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:46pmI’ve noted more frustration and direct attacks on the GOP and conservatives, but subliminal messaging. Examples…?
Report Post »oohisis
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:04pmI would be very interested to know what he has done and is doing to “scale up progressive infrastructure”. We really need to start getting involved more as what goes on around us locally. I have been in a dispute with my very affluent, nationally ranked school district (CRSD, Bucks Co, Pa)to alter this years art show t-shirt design which they are selling k- 12…it is OWS poster with the raised fist holding some paint brushes. Little by little the propaganda is being slipped into our infrastructure.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:57pm“To whom much is given, much will be required.”
Seems to me so very many of the first group fall way short on the second part of the quote. I bet GOD just shakes HIS big sad head over the follies of mankind.
“The love of money is the root of ALL evil.” (emphasis mine)
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:53pmGot Progressive? Send Flo home.
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:52pmIs it possible as he grows closer to death, he is developing a conscience and concern for his eternal life? To me it sounds like he wants to own brick and mortar and Soros of course likes ownership of the politicians. Could be simple philosophical spat….
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:51pmIf you have Progressive Insurance better think again…
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:19pmI am….
Didn’t know they were connected to these jackwagons.
Although, I did wonder about their name….
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:41pmI do have Progressive..but not for long. I never gave a thought to the name…
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:40pmStatists like Lewis are unfortunately ubiquitous and always give to groups wanting to control us,a vile group of people indeed.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:47pmAgreed.
Report Post »Masterjanitor
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:38pmTime to throw out the trash!!!!!!
Report Post »michael48
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 9:38pmindeed ..it’s all about control…the rest is lemming chow and kool-aide for the “useless idiot” crowd…
Report Post »fande3rls
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:38pmresigned or tranfered to where George Soros can use his talents more effectively
SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:48pmFrom the headline, until I looked at the story, I thought it was going to be about that Kim guy who is nominated to take over the world bank
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:36pmEven ‘their own’ are starting to see who Barry truly is…like rats on a sinking ship…
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:47pm…to scurry away and gnaw on ‘societies’ bones for their own liberal greed…watch the other hand
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