At what point do the Billionaire Sugar Daddy's close the purse..

[Rosco T.]

.. to Mittens, Manondog, FigNewton? When they realize that it's hopeless, they can't win, it's over.

[russspeakeasy]

1. I hope they don't. This race beats all the "real" shit on tv.

[DJ13]

2. If those rich asshats were dumb enough to think one of them could be President in the first place

I cant see them being smart enough to stop now, can you?

[TheWraith]

3. Why would they bother?

What Newt's guy has given is less money than he makes in a day. I'd imagine it's similar for the others. Why should they bother not taking it all the way, when the millions they spend are so inconsequential to them?

[physioex]

6. That's right....

Its like the average middle class family worrying about a $0.50 change in their monthly budget.

[JHB]

4. They'll all be useful afterward in some capacity...

...remember, Newt's HFCSdaddy has been bankrolling his projects for some time now.

And it will be a lesson for the next bunch, when they're askin' for sugar.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Those checks come with a price tag.

In Addelson's case, I think he or his casino's are under a federal investigation. His price is going to be either getting the investigation squashed or a "get out of jail" card.

[JHB]

9. True, but they don't need to care, right?

That would be an acceptable price for them. Not unless they cut the deal over an open mike will the price be too high.

[KharmaTrain]

7. The NEVER Close The Purse...

For a billionaire, throwing a million or ten around is interest money they'll make up in a couple months or recoup some other way. It's "the cost of doing business" and their money is always going to be not only welcomed but sought after. This is a game of influence peddling and ego gratification...the money opens the doors and if it isn't a Millard or Gneut or Rectorum it'll be someone else. It's getting that V.I.P treatment...the special one-on-ones and drinkie-drinkie parties and being the "big shot".

The best hope is some of these high rollers go bust due to their arrogance and greed...they lose so much money that someone in their family or corporation grabs away the checkbook or they get burned enough times they decided enough's enough. Unfortunately when one drops out, another drops in...

[Mopar151]

11. In Adelson's case, I think he's buying a front man for his overseas dealings

To a bidnessman from Macau, Shanghai, or Djkarta, Newt is a famous American politican. If he works for Mr Adelson, then Adelson must be verry powerful man.

[MiniMe]

8. After the convention, unless they bankroll a 3rd party bid

[Major Hogwash]

10. Around the Eyes of Marge.

I would think about another month or so, and then Santorum is going to have to produce some bang for the buck or he's S.O.L.

[bemildred]

12. I hope they put it all on the line. nt

[sofa king]

13. My concern is this.

There is already so much money blown on this sure-to-fail-by-legal-means effort that my greatest concern will be the steps those benefactors are willing to take to protect their shitty investment.

They are not guided by conscience and have enough money to effectively be beyond the law. They were initially motivated by profit, but now they are further motivated by the threat of massive loss as well.

See where that's going?

[davidpdx]

14. I'm guessing you watched Maddow the other night

"Don't touch your billionaire" segment. Pretty funny. She laughs like a schoolgirl with Pawlenty comes on though.

[csziggy]

15. This clip?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#46319686

[davidpdx]

16. Yep

That is the one. I remember because when I was trying to watch it, it loaded very slow. One of the "perks" of being in China.