The New York Times dropped a fascinating and flat out shocking report on the state of fundraising of the coalition of LGBT advocates, collectively known as New Yorkers United For Marriage. The headline pretty much sums it up:
Wealthy Donors to G.O.P. Are Providing Bulk of Money
in Gay Marriage Push
The Times reports that over two-thirds of estimated $1M war chest that has been collected in the last few weeks came from donors who have traditionally, and even exclusively, thrown their weight behind Republican candidates and causes.
From the New York Times
As gay rights advocates intensify their campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in New York, the bulk of their money is coming from an unexpected source: a group of conservative financiers and wealthy donors to the Republican Party, most of whom are known for bankrolling right-leaning candidates and causes.
Their behind-the-scenes financial support — about $1 million in donations, delivered in recent weeks to a new coalition of gay rights organizations — could alter the political calculus of Albany lawmakers, especially the Republican state senators in whose hands the fate of gay marriage rests.
The donors represent some of New York’s wealthiest and most politically active figures and include Paul E. Singer, a hedge fund manager and top-tier Republican donor, as well as two other financiers, Steven A. Cohen and Clifford S. Asness.
The piece goes on to say,
"The new donations represent roughly two-thirds of the same-sex marriage coalition’s fund-raising." In other words, conservative sources of funding have outraised traditional LGBT, progressive and Democratic sources in New York state thus far. Amazing.
New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (described as the "most politically centrist of the donors") is seriously engaged, hosting a fundraiser at his Upper Eastside townhouse, giving a speech at Cooper Union on May 26, and travel to Albany to make his case for a yes vote. It's worth noting, Bloomberg funded six Republican state Senate races in 2010, four of which lost.
The arguments are tailor made for GOP buy-in. The talk of the state staying competitive in a job market that is surrounded by states and districts that offer such benefits to LGBT people. There are hooks for libertarian leaning Republicans as well, as said John Feinblatt, Bloomberg’s chief policy adviser explains his boss' stance in the piece:
“At the core this very rational mayor is somebody who believes that government has no business in getting involved in, taking sides in or making value judgments about who you love.”
And Bloomberg is just one of many that is putting his mouth were his money is. They are reaching out to GOP Senators and making their case among conservative circles. Many of the names are the same from the group of big name business leaders that released letter of support the first week of May.
Mr. Asness, described as "among the leading conservative philanthropists in the nation" and is quoted in the article saying, “This is an issue of basic freedom.”
Cohen who runs SAC Capital Advisers says: “We believe in social justice for all Americans.”
Loeb, a former hedge fund manager, says: “I think it is important in particular for Republicans to know this is a bipartisan issue. If they’re Republican, they will not be abandoned by the party for supporting this." He goes on to suggest a whole new avenue of support is likely to open up.
With 2012 showing all the promise of 2008 to be another blue sweep year in the Empire State, this would be an excellent time for a GOP Senator who would like to survive into 2013 to ask him or herself, "How can I ingratiate myself to some of the most generous of Republican donors, and shore up some credentials as a 'moderate' Republican?"
I have a suggestion for them.