In 2010, Obama appointed Eychaner a trustee at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Leo Linbeck III
- Total Outside Group Spending: $1,255,042
- Recipients: Campaign for Primary Accountability ($1,255,042)
- Total 2012 Spending: $1,256,042
- Other Recipients: None.
It perhaps says something about the state of liberals at the top of the outside group donor list that Leo Linbeck III is listed by the Center For Responsive Politics as someone who “generally” supports liberal candidates.
A member of a politically active Texas family, Linbeck III is CEO of Aquinas Companies, which manages construction and manufacturing concerns, and has revenues over $500 million. According to The Texas Tribune, Linbeck calls himself a “conservative communitarian,” and is an advocate for smaller government.
So why is he on this list? As TPM’s Eric Kleefeld reported in February, Linbeck is a founder and primary backer of a group called the Campaign For Primary Accountability, which aims to take down incumbents, regardless of party.
Bill Maher
- Total Outside Group Spending: $1,000,000
- Recipients: Priorities USA Action ($1,000,000)
- Total 2012 Spending: $1,010,000
- Other Recipients: Midwest Values PAC ($5,000), Al Franken ($5,000)
It’s Bill Maher. He announced his intention to cut a seven-figure check to Priorities USA Action in February, during a stand-up show.
“I would like to announce tonight a donation to the Obama super PAC which has the very unfortunate tongue-twister name Priorities USA Action. I know, it was named by Borat,” Maher said, according to Yahoo!, which broadcast the show. “Tonight I would like to give that PAC $1 million dollars.”
Maher hasn’t always been a big-time political giver. CRP lists no donations in 2010, and $2,300 to Obama and Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) in 2008, along with $1,000 to former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC).
Kareem Ahmed
- Total Outside Group Spending: $1,000,000
- Recipients: Priorities USA Action ($1,000,000)
- Total 2012 Spending: $1,080,800
- Other Recipients: DNC Services Corp ($30,800), Democratic Party of Pennsylvania ($10,000), Bob Casey ($5,000), more.
Another relative unknown, Kareem Ahmed, CEO of Landmark Medical Management, gave three separate checks to Priorities USA Action totaling $1,000,000 between February and March.
“President Obama is fighting to help middle class families during tough economic times, to transition our nation to a clean energy future, to fight to keep improving our health care - the list goes on and on,” he said in a statement to California Watch in March. “Priorities USA Action has the President’s back, and I’m proud to have theirs.”
The California-based Ahmed has given widely to Democrats around the country this year, from Virginia Senate candidate Tim Kaine to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA).
Correction: This article originally stated that Leo Linbeck III gave $1,000 to David Dewhurt. That donation was made by Linbeck’s father, Leo Linbeck Jr.
Eric Lach
Eric Lach is a reporter for TPM. From 2010 to 2011, he was a news writer in charge of the website’s front page. He has previously written for The Daily, NewYorker.com, GlobalPost and other publications. He can be reached at ericl(at)talkingpointsmemo.com
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