Politics

Who‘s the Billionaire That’s Giving a Santorum Super PAC a Big Boost?

Santorum Super PAC Support Grows Thanks to Wyoming Billionaire Foster Friess

A super PAC supporting Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has received a large boost from a Wyoming billionaire, putting outside spending groups supporting the former Pennsylvania senator in competition with groups supporting rival candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.

The Center for Public Integrity reports that Foster Friess has already put $537,000 into the Santorum super PAC “Red White and Blue Fund,” and has now pledged to give up to an additional half-million dollars in matching funds to whatever is pledged by 5,000 “sportsmen” he has recently reached out to.

“The Democrats will chew Romney up because of his patrician background,” Friess said in an interview with iWatch News, in explaining his support for Santorum over the Massachusetts Republican. “It’s not his fault. Who’s going to be more appealing to blue-collar workers?”

“Our government is strangling our workers with a foot on their throats,” Friess went on to tell the Center for Public Integrity, referring to the federal income tax system.

The 71-year-old Friess was born in the small city of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and has since built a $15.7 billion investment firm. In addition to paying for major ad time in Iowa, Friess spoke for and campaigned in person with Santorum in the days leading up to the former Pennsylvania senator’s impressive showing in the first-in-the-nation caucus. POLITICO reports that Friess, a born-again christian, has been “a longtime donor to social conservative causes dear to Santorum,” and the Center for Public Integrity notes that Friess has close ties to the Koch Family, known for their financial support of conservative causes.

Friess donated over $600,000 in soft money  to Republicans since 1998, $40,000 to the Santorum Victory Fund in 99 and 00.

The Center for Public integrity reports that Friess has lately called himself “an underdog billionaire,” in comparison to much wealthier GOP super-donors like Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who wrote a $5 million check to the pro-Gingrich “Winning Our Future” super PAC.  The super PAC supporting Mitt Romney “Restore Our Future,” has received $1 million donations from former Bain executive Edward Conard, the Marriott family, and New York hedge fund billionaire John Paulson, who POLITICO writes “became famous for enriching himself by betting on the collapse of the housing industry.”

 

Comments (75)

  • MORNINGELK
    Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:45pm

    If the 50% of the 50% of the people in this country took the time to educate themselves on the candidates after actually spending some time on defining their own ideology and applying it in their choice,superpac ads wouldn’t exist so much. They are created for the lazy.

    Report Post » MORNINGELK  
  • ultimatefighting
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 11:50pm

    The next President of the United States, brought to you by Wall St., Haliburton and AIPAC.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/billionaire-donors/2011/12/05/gIQAa3spXO_graphic.html

    Report Post » ultimatefighting  
    • Mr. Oshawott
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 2:38am

      @UltimateFighting

      The one thing that I noticed in that Billionaire Donor bar graph is that Ron Paul has never received any funds from any billionaires. They must’ve already understood that no amount of their funds can buy Ron Paul to do their insidious bidding.

      Report Post » Mr. Oshawott  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:08am

      @UltimateFighting.

      Yawn!

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
  • pmjr-jones
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 10:49pm

    Santorum is the only one that said anything: unless you want watch trees that don’t represent a marijuana plant?!

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 9:58pm

    I believe Foster must care about this country. He is on the right track with Santorum.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • Integrety
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 9:37am

      I am in agreement with you. My concern is that all these people who really want Santorum to win but don’t think he can …will vote for Gingrich or Romney. Tell me I’m wrong that if everyone who really believes that Santorum should be our next president and would actually vote for him….it could be a landslide….

      Report Post » Integrety  
  • Nanaswords
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 9:20pm

    For certain commentaries on here…“God” can mean anything to many people…even to radical political activists’ ! History has shown us the practice of many who want their activities to reflect back to a “God”….The First “Deceiver” wants to be called “God”.. I place him in the Present Tense..because he is still active in our world …and Deceiving many today. Where do we believe all “Chaos” comes from ? The original radical activist Deceiver ! Reality does sting sometimes !

    Report Post »  
  • jbcheesehead
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 5:38pm

    I highly respect and think the world of Foster who grew up in the same town that I grew up in. I’ve watched the things he does and the things he believes for many years and can assure you, Foster is a class-AAA individual who cares about ALL people and cares about our Constitution.

    Report Post »  
  • beckinista
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:36pm

    Psadie asks, “Santorum voted down ‘right to work’ in our state of PA! The SEIU is in the faces of healthcare workers threatening our jobs if we do not join them! Just how can he justify that? He is weak, a follower not a leader.” He has justified it just fine: he was elected to serve the STATE; the state was pro-Union; he choose to honor his commitment to his constituency by voting against the Federal Gov‘t intruding in states’ rights. He has said as President, he would sign any Right-to-Work legislation, as that is what he believes in and feels, as President, he would have the freedom to do so.

    Report Post » beckinista  
  • inferno
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:27pm

    I think political PACs are a disgrace. However, the billionaire is spending his own money, not taxpayer’s. That is a freedom everyone shoud have and exercise, i.e., that is the right to spend their own money any way they choose. I magine visiting a big box store, and have someone behind you make fun of the way you spend your money ! My guess is you would be tempted to punch them out !

    Report Post »  
  • Nanaswords
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:22pm

    Is there any doubt in anyones mind that this gentleman says it like it is? We can not afford to have another election like the last one ! Our nation needs to return-back to the original foundation of our founding fathers set-up !!! I will not vote in 2012 for another “rhino” and loose(either party) to a progressive elite misfit ! The average American is FED-UP to our eyeballs with all the “change” that they have on their agenda for America !!! Those that practice, Fabrication..Greed..Slander..Chaos..Anger..Fear..Class Division…ALL of these Characteristics only belong to a Dark-Selfish personality/program… from a distructive agenda… of those self-appointed few elites ! This has NOT been what America\USA has Stood for from the beginning of our nation!!! Voting in 2012 Will Be with a No Fear Stand by the majority of America !!!

    Report Post »  
  • Bonnieblue2A
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:01pm

    Yet the common man vote and $25 donations at a time continue to goe to the candidate who cannot be bought by the establishment big money, Ron Paul.
    http://www.ronpaul2012.com/

    Report Post »  
  • Shelly
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:39pm

    Mr. Friess is absolutely correct.
    There are MULTIPLE problems with a Romney candidacy.
    See ALL of them highlighted here:
    “Not Romney”
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARnzBOkKAiE
    Romney IS Obama.

    Report Post » Shelly  
    • neverfinal
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 5:45pm

      I have vetted them all and my final decision is Santorum. He has the human rights respect for all life that will be important. I think he id right on the money in all issues, not just some. We all better get behind the person who is closest to our Values. I’ve finally decided on Santorum. He is the only one able to give me some hope and make me feel proud enough to bring a tear to my eye. Now I intend to donate and get some money behind him. He got this far with hard work and perseverance, the A,American way. He will now need all the help he can get, he is up against the MONEY and BIG BAD BOYS.

      Report Post »  
    • KAdams
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 5:48am

      Yes. Categorizing humans as cattle shows great respect for life. Oh that’s right, he didn’t specify human life. This from a man that took his stillborn baby home with his wife, and slept with it. Yuck.

      Report Post »  
  • Mr. Leonardo
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:31pm

    The only way I could vote for Ron Paul is if Jesus returned and we were back in the safety of a sinless world–but Jesus has not returned yet–and Sin still dominates this world in spite of what Mr. Paul thinks.

    Paul supporters: There are many good things about Mr. Paul that are likable–believing we are all still living in The Garden of Eden is not one of them.

    Welcome to East of Eden were a sense of vigilance is needed.

    Report Post » Mr. Leonardo  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:04pm

      Those who support Ron Paul are the sheepdogs, not the sheep.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RAog2RnRc

      They are the ones who actually defend the US Constitution from enemies foreign and domestic instead of just giving it lip service during campaign years.

      Report Post »  
    • schroeder123
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:26pm

      I’m a NRA supporter and love America..But I don’t think we need to be the police of the world.
      Every day of my life…America has been in a war. It’s time to stop this madness.
      I vote for Ron Paul.

      Report Post » schroeder123  
  • Mr. Leonardo
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:26pm

    So let me guess. You loved Obama. You received no change for your Hope. Now on the rebound you meet Ron Paul, who is a nice man who believes in the goodness of everyone–in-spite of the facts of evil all around us.

    Report Post » Mr. Leonardo  
    • justangry
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 7:29pm

      True that. It’s also in Washington, on the radio, TV and internet. It’s the one saying, trust us we’re only stripping your liberty for you own good, or not saying anything at all about it.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:20pm

    All these idiots that state they will not vote or vote third party if Pablo is not nominated is great! They sure will make a statement and show the Republicans who is boss…………….

    While this country crashes and burns with their steadfast A sses in it.

    Report Post »  
    • neverfinal
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 5:53pm

      You are right, only complete fools will split the vote. Like a child throwing a tantrum,
      I would love to see this vision in my head come true some day. With the Parties being Tea Party and Libertarian, with the Independents still remaining. The Democrats and Republicans all out, but as of yet we are not there yet. We can’t waste a single vote and we all must come behind who ever wins the Primary. United we stand and divided we will fall. This is our last chance to get it right. I am going to get behind Santorum.

      Report Post »  
    • Obama Been Lauding
      Posted on January 18, 2012 at 5:49am

      It would be very wise to vote for whomever wins the Republican nomination!!!!
      The path we are on is unsustainable, and will lead to a european Socialist system!!!!
      Can you see what is happening in Europe????
      Don’t say, ‘It can’t happen here!’
      Look at your history books. Every great economic, and/or military, power has fallen, because of so-called leaders of that country, taking them down the road to downfall.
      The so-called leader of Our Country, is just that guy!!!!
      The proof is all around you!!!! Look at his whole life, and his ideology throughout!!!!
      He is a Socialist activist, who is on the big stage now!!!!
      Anyone but Obama 2012!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • KAdams
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 5:52am

      @Neverfinal

      Google Santorum. I bet you won’t stand behind him after that.

      Report Post »  
  • Mr. Oshawott
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:35pm

    (sarcastically) Isn’t this surprising? Millionaires and billionaires sending their wealth to candidates that want to lead America striaght down to the ABYSS OF TOTALITARIANISM.

    Report Post » Mr. Oshawott  
    • Nervous Investor
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:49pm

      Oshawa – are you referring to George Soros, Warren Buffet, the Hollywood cadre, the Union bully boys and the Wall Street Gang? – you know, the usual contributors to the Democrats ……

      Report Post »  
    • Nervous Investor
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:51pm

      Sorry Oshawott, I misspelled your handle on my last post.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr. Oshawott
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:17pm

      @Nervous Investor

      Yes, those people. And, just for the record, it isn’t just the Democrats that are being funded by Wall Street and the like. The liberal REPUBLICANS (neo-conservatives) are getting their share of the money as well. Therefore, it’s BOTH parties that are being bought and paid for by George Soros, Warren Buffet, Wall Street, etc.

      Report Post » Mr. Oshawott  
  • cemerius
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:34pm

    Santorum 2012!

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • Mr. Oshawott
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:42pm

      Ron Paul 2012 if you want to return to the Constitution, limited government, and sound money.
      :-)

      Report Post » Mr. Oshawott  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:48pm

      @ Mr. Oshawott

      Ron Paul 2012 if you want to return to the Constitution, limited government, and sound money.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      …….except you might end up with a severed head that glows in the dark.

      Ron Paul’s fiscal intelligence walks hand-in-hand with his idiocy with regards to Islam.

      Just sayin’ 50 / 50 won’t cut it.

      Report Post »  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:09pm

      @ Mr. Oshawott

      Ron Paul 2012 if you want to return to the Constitution, limited government, and sound money.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Tsunami said…….except you might end up with a severed head that glows in the dark.

      Ron Paul’s fiscal intelligence walks hand-in-hand with his idiocy with regards to Islam.

      Just sayin’ 50 / 50 won’t cut it.

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Johnny said: How do you propose we protect ourselves when we soon go bankrupt – or China decides to stop lending us money to pay our bills? Kinda hard to maintain a fleet & a well armed military without money – also not going to be able to stop any other countries from getting nukes too.

      How about we try Paul instead of voting in another “different but same guy” and expect different results.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr. Oshawott
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:39pm

      @Tsunami-22

      “Ron Paul’s fiscal intelligence walks hand-in-hand with his idiocy with regards to Islam.”

      In case you’ve forgotten, we’re over $15 TRILLION in debt and our troops are getting exhausted from all this endless warfare. It’s time to put an end to these wars and bring them home.

      Report Post » Mr. Oshawott  
    • psadie
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:27pm

      Santorum voted down “right to work” in our state of PA! The SEIU is in the faces of healthcare workers threatening our jobs if we do not join them! Just how can he justify that? He is weak, a follower not a leader.

      Report Post »  
    • beckinista
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:30pm

      In a continuing thread, Johnny comments; ” How do you propose we protect ourselves when we soon go bankrupt – or China decides to stop lending us money to pay our bills? Kinda hard to maintain a fleet & a well armed military without money – also not going to be able to stop any other countries from getting nukes too.” — I respond,, how do you propose we protect ourselves with an income tax rate of ZERO? Ron Paul should be Treasury Secretary, but NOT President.

      Report Post » beckinista  
    • KAdams
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:02am

      Yeah… what are you going to do when China comes and exercise their Eminent Domain? I hope you enrolled in Chinese this semester in school…

      Report Post »  
    • KAdams
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:12am

      Before the income tax, government was paid for by the lottery. The income tax wasn’t established until 1941, I want to say, that’s when Disney put out their famous WWII Donald Duck Pay Your Taxes cartoon. So, as Ron Paul had said in the debate, ‘Up until 1913 our tax rate was 0%, what’s wrong with that?’. So… how did America prosper prior to 1941, if we had no taxes until then? 1776 to 1941 is a long time to pay for a government with out having taxes pay for it. Who came up with that brilliant idea, I wonder? Hmmm..

      Report Post »  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:25pm

    ok – fine. Now it looks like Ron Paul is the only candidate who cannot hid behind a super pac. He raises his money the right way, one person at a time. Because no billionares or anyone in the establishment would profit from a Ron Paul presidency

    Report Post » soybomb315  
    • Cynthia Collins
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:09pm

      Seems to me like Paul “backers” are the “kids” and pikers that want to have legal drugs and run so they don’t have to go to war.

      Santorum is a sleezeball who picks who he wants to give/withold rights from….he (unfortunately) will “DO” for those who pay his bills and give him powerl Same for Perry and they do so in the name of JESUS and THAT is a SIN.

      Report Post »  
    • KAdams
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:05am

      You people and the Paul drug argument are just plain stupid.

      The drug issue Paul’s talking about, leaves the decision up to the states, not the FED. If a state chooses to criminalize it, it‘s the states’ business, not the FED’s.

      GET A CLUE!

      Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:16pm

    If Mitt turns out to be the man, I hope millions stay home, and the republicans loose by 30%, the RINO’s need to understand they will never win again with a wishy washy liberal progressive sob.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:37pm

      Don’t do it Swampy, this country will not survive 4 more of Obama. Obamacare will kick in and we’ll never get rid of it. Hold your nose and vote…even for the squishey RINO Romney.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Mr. Oshawott
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:49pm

      @Swampy

      Amen to that, it’s time to say “No more” to voting for the “lesser” of two evils and vote for the candidate that’s serious in abiding by the Constitution.

      Mr. Oshawott  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:03pm

      Stay home? Really? Not even write in RP or Trump or whomever you feel will give you a warm fuzzy while the country gets more “wise Latina women” and Marxist lesbians on the Supreme Court?

      Report Post »  
    • NoNannyState4me
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 8:40pm

      I’m with swampy, although I will go write in Ron’s name and vote for the local items at hand.

      Report Post » NoNannyState4me  
  • Johnny Cocheroo
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:11pm

    Santorum –
    I liked one of his comments last night. He had to abandon part of the 2nd amendment 2nd amendment to keep it. Reminds me of the good ole’ days with Bush – I abandoned free market principles to save it.

    I’ll still take him over “I’ll hold a U.S. citizen in jail forever if suspected of being a terrorist” Romney.

    What I really would like though is Paul.

    Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:14pm

      Yeah he’s a dick in every way. Took me a while to process his BS answer on the NDAA, but it’s apparent he supports it.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • Cynthia Collins
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:28pm

      Thank you, I worried about that myself….DC has outlawed killing RATS (think about that one) but exterminators can’t do anything but livetrap them (by FAMILY? no less) and take them for a 25 mile ride to VIRGINIA OR MARYLAND and RELEASE them….Santorum BACKED bills for HSUS (behind the rat law in DC)…..can you trust him? he and Perry are cut from the same cloth….its that they will do/say ANYTHING to get MONEY and POWER….

      SLEEZY is what I call them both!

      Report Post »  
    • KAdams
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:08am

      And now Occupy-White House has a rather sudden, large outbreak of hefty black rats.

      Report Post »  
  • TeaBill
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:07pm

    Truly a spectacle to watch. The progressive sect of the Republican Party is striving to save their special interest candidates. Have any of you watched Santorum on stage during a debate, he looks like a really loose canon, and ready to shoot as soon as he can.

    Not someone who I will want leading our nation.

    Report Post »  
    • beckinista
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:25pm

      Any chance you might offer some constructive support for your chosen candidate WITHOUT sniping at someone else? You might also want to check into the difference between “canon” and “cannon”.

      Report Post » beckinista  
  • patsun5
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 1:58pm

    Thank you sir! We need a new direction in this county and I agree that R. Santorum is the man !
    Appreciate your support.

    Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 1:52pm

    Fantastic. The longer Santorum and Gingrich and Paul stay in the race the longer they split the anti-Romney vote and garauntee Romney the nomination.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • justangry
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:11pm

      Did you like his explanation regarding the NDAA?

      Report Post » justangry  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:19pm

      Oh yeah, the “trust us with the power to put any U.S. citizen in jail forever if we want” explanation.

      Why not take it a step further and give them the option to kill U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism. Trial is a lengthy thing anyways and we trust our government to make the right decisions…..right?

      Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on January 17, 2012 at 1:50pm

    Hmmm, all that big money going to the candidates who don’t support liberty.

    Report Post » justangry  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:24pm

      You really ARE angry, aren’t you? I would take ANY of the Republican candidates over BO! Santorum being my NUMBER 1 choice at this point. Anyone can SPIN a story.. even YOU. :)

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • justangry
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 2:39pm

      Very much so. You can’t spin his yes vote on the Patriot Act. Want to defend his or his billionare supporters position on that? Of course not.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:10pm

      HAHAHA I love it when you libs get all steamed up. I think I would rather discuss the many MORE DEMOCRAT BILLIONAIRES. Let’s start with the ones who sneak around supporting OWS fake protests. How about you? At least OUR billionaire donors are UP FRONT about it. hahahhaa You guys are so funny. I happen to be one of those who SUPPORTED the Patriot Act after 9.11. Now that the OBAMA regime is in power, it takes on NEW MEANING. Once he’s gone, I will be ok with it again until we secure our borders. It’s all a matter of TRUST for me. :)

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • justangry
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 3:31pm

      That‘s all you got to defend Santorum’s vote for the Patriot Act is to call me a liberal?

      Report Post » justangry  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:11pm

      @equaljustice, Why doesn’t it make you angry when candidates for POTUS have a voting record against the US Constitution? Why would you want to elect someone who will be a liar as they are sworn in at the taking of their oath of office?

      Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 5:23pm

      I said I agreed with the Patriot Act after the TERROR ATTACKS of 9.11? I’m GLAD he voted for it and so did Michelle Bachmann and several other Tea Party Members, like Allan West. I TRUST THEM.. I do not TRUST the OBAMA REGIME, so them having any extrodinary powers does SCARE ME. I don’t care if you are a liberal or not.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 5:26pm

      Bonnie.. we already HAVE THAT. I will vote for ANYONE but Obama and Santorum is MY FIRST CHOICE. I LIKED THE PATRIOT ACT originally and I like the parts they kept last vote. We need ways to help FIGHT domestic terrorists. It’s ONLY bad if it is USED in an UNCONSTITUTIONAL way.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • justangry
      Posted on January 17, 2012 at 5:40pm

      Hey, I can respect you saying that you’re a scared as the reason you support the Patriot Act. We all are. But B. Franklin said it best “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” So, buck up or the terrorist win!

      Report Post » justangry  

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