Chris Christie’s Vegas Vacation

From Josh Levitt
Buono for Governor


New Jersey’s economy is lagging behind the rest of the country. With over 400,000 New Jerseyans out of work, property taxes continuing to rise and middle class families struggling to make ends meet, there is much that needs to be done to restore New Jersey’s economy. Yet instead of focusing on New Jersey, Governor Christie spent yesterday in Las Vegas to "kiss the ring" of a conservative billionaire who wasted over $100 million in 2012 in failed attempt to defeat President Obama. It’s clear that Christie’s top concern is chasing cash and support in advance of his 2016 presidential campaign, not lifting up New Jersey families and workers.

Christie heads to Vegas for event with GOP mega-donor
By Catalina Camia//USA Today
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie apparently has decided it's not stupid to visit Las Vegas in the summer. The Las Vegas Sun reports Christie, a Republican running for a second term, plans to be in town Thursday for a fundraiser hosted by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam. Adelson, the biggest political donor in the 2012 elections, and his wife contributed about $92 million to super PACs and other groups aligned with Republicans.

Chris Christie at Sheldon Adelson fundraiser in Las Vegas
By Maggie Haberman//Politico
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is attending a gubernatorial fundraiser in Las Vegas Thursday hosted by casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam, a source familiar with the event confirmed to POLITICO.
… Adelson single-handidly funded a pro-Newt Gingrich super PAC that kept the presidential candidate alive in the 2012 primaries for a time.

No time for beer, Christie heads to Vegas for fundraising with casino billionaire
By Alexandra Jaffe//The Hill
… But many Republicans believe Christie is also preparing for a 2016 White House bid. The event with Adelson, one of 2012's top Republican donors, in an early caucus state, is likely to fuel rather than dampen those rumors.
… Adelson spent at least $98 million on the 2012 election, initially to back Newt Gingrich's ill-fated run.

Christie To Attend Private Adelson Fundraiser In Vegas
By Perry Stein//Talking Points Memo
… “Why is the New Jersey governor coming here in the middle of the summer if he’s not running for president, and particularly hosted by an individual who has actively been involved in fundraising for Republicans?” Eric Herzik, a UNR professor of political science, told the Sun. “He’s giving every indication that even though he’s running for re-election as governor, he could be tempted to run for president. It wouldn’t surprise me if this is a get-to-know-you session on behalf of both sides (Christie and Adelson).”

Chris Christie finds a reason to visit Las Vegas in the dead of summer
By Andrew Doughman//Las Vegas Sun
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie plans to visit Las Vegas on Thursday for a private fundraiser hosted by Sheldon and Miriam Adelson at the Palazzo. The event is technically for Christie’s gubernatorial re-election campaign this year, but it’s never too early for a potential presidential contender to visit an early caucus state.

Republican donor Sheldon Adelson hosts Christie at Las Vegas fundraiser
By Jenna Portnoy//The Star-Ledger
Conservative casino magnate and major Republican donor Sheldon Adelson and his wife will host a fundraiser for Gov. Chris Christie in Las Vegas today, The Las Vegas Sun reported. While in town for the private fundraiser, the Republican governor will also deliver a speech at the Kipp charter school conference. Then Christie heads to Milwaukee for annual summer meetings of the National Governors Association before going on vacation at the shore next week.

Christie flouts own advice for Vegas fundraiser
By Melissa Hayes//The Record
Governor Christie once said someone would have to be stupid to go to Las Vegas in the middle of summer as he made a pitch for tourism in Atlantic City. But against his own advice, the Republican planned to hit the strip Thursday and entertain donors at The Palazzo, a top-rated luxury resort owned by Sheldon Adelson. The Las Vegas Sands Corp. chief executive officer and his wife, Miriam, hosted the event, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
… Adelson — who pledged to spend $100 million in an attempt to defeat President Obama last year — reportedly gave $150 million to candidates, committees and special interest groups supporting Republicans.

Is billionaire Adelson funding Christie's 2016 prez run?
By Matt Katz//Philadelphia Inquirer
Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who is believed to have given more money to an election in 2012 than any other person in history -- including a whopping $92 million to 2012 Republican candidates via a series of outside groups -- is holding a fundraiser today for Gov. Christie at The Palazzo in Las Vegas. The fundraiser is technically for Christie's re-election campaign, but c'mon, Adelson doesn't strike me as a guy who plays small-ball state politics. He plays for the presidency, and this has 2016 written all over it. Adelson essentially subsidized Newt Gingrich's campaign in 2012 before moving over to Mitt Romney. A staunch supporter of Israel, Adelson might have appreciated Christie's controversial and hawkish comments last week. He also probably likes that the gov visited Israel last year. I emailed Bill Palatucci, Christie's campaign chairman, but he said he wouldn't give me details about how many people attended the fundraiser -- or more importantly, how much money was raised.