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Adelson distances himself from GOP special caucus decision
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Updated: Jan. 31, 2012 | 7:43 a.m.
Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson distanced himself Monday from a Clark County Republican decision to hold a special presidential caucus after sundown Saturday for observant Jews, saying through a spokesman he and his wife "had no involvement" in the arrangement.
The statement seemed designed to counter concerns by several presidential campaigns that the GOP was giving special consideration to Adelson, who backs presidential candidate Newt Gingrich. Adelson and his wife, Miriam, have donated $10 million to a pro-Gingrich Political Action Committee.
Ron Reese, a spokesman for Adelson, said the billionaire casino mogul never suggested holding the special 7 p.m. caucus and didn't personally offer to host it at the Adelson Education Campus. The private school in Summerlin was named after the couple because they are generous donors.
Adelson and his wife aren't orthodox Jews who must avoid activity during the Sabbath, which starts at sundown on Fridays and continues until sundown on Saturdays. Reese said the couple can participate in the regular caucus meetings, which are scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
"In short, they had no involvement," Reese said. "At no point did either Mr. Adelson or Dr. (Miriam) Adelson provide any input into the process or intervene in any way."
But if Sheldon Adelson did not determine the resolution, he did pass along the Jewish community's concerns to a Republican official.
During a board meeting in December, Philip Kantor, an orthodox member of the Adelson school board, brought up the topic of not being able to participate in the GOP caucus , Reese said. The Adelsons, as board members, also attended the meeting, according to Reese.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Kantor said he had asked Adelson to reach out to Republican leaders to raise the caucus concern among the observant Jewish Community.
"I did ask Mr. Adelson if he could make a call to see if he could jog it along a bit," Kantor said Monday. "In any event, he was kind enough to help it along. But it has nothing to do with helping any candidate. It has everything to do with not being deprived of a vote, being disenfranchised."
Adelson called Nevada Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Tarkanian to talk about the orthodox Jewish issue, Reese confirmed. He said Adelson suggested letting observant Jews cast absentee ballots. Tarkanian told Adelson that Republicans must attend the caucus meetings to participate and the rules don't allow for absentee ballots except for members of the military, Reese said.
That was the end of Adelson's involvement, according to Reese and Kantor.
Kantor then had lunch with Dave Gibbs, chairman of the Clark County GOP, and proposed holding a post-sundown caucus for Jews, according to Kantor and Gibbs.
"It was strictly my idea to get the special caucus going based on the fact that I was cheated out of voting four years ago," Kantor said, adding he doesn't know yet whom he will support .
Kantor also suggested using the Adelson school as the site, he and Gibbs said.
"Mr. Adelson never talked to me about it," said Gibbs, who previously said he knew of Adelson's concerns about the Saturday caucus. "I've never even met Mr. Adelson and didn't even know what he looked like until I saw his picture in the paper."
Gibbs brought the proposal to Clark County Republican leaders who earlier this month approved holding the special caucus and accepted the free offer of the Adelson school site. The GOP said the caucus also will accommodate Seventh-day Adventists, who hold Saturdays sacred as well.
Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919. Follow @lmyerslvrj on Twitter.
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The whole caucus idea is arbitrary. It does not allow the people of Nevada a fair chance to cast their vote. The democrats whine about how requesting an ID is disenfranchising…caucuses are the real disenfranchisement! What do you have to say about that Harry Reid?
Mitt seems like a great Guy he just hates the Poor and The first thing he will do if elected is Stop healthcare for them.
Shomer Shabus..... Dude.
btw. obama will lose by a bigger landslide than mondale. this is a guy that wont get catholic, jews, independents, conservatives, even most hispanics. obama will win no swing states. obama is facing possible criminal action after he is out of office.
this guy and his wife gave 10 million to gingrich. wasted. the real bucks go to romney, he is the next president replacing the class warrior obama.
All of this is wasted energy. Obama will crush Romney in the general election anyway. The Republican party has become a total side show.
I am a werewolf and my husband is a vampire. Can we have a after midnight caucus to meet the needs of our religious preference?? Out at the graveyard would be a good location.
Sorry, meant tithing, not tidding. I am forgiven.
If you join my church, none of this would be an issue, We don't take issue with anything. I only charge 8% tidings, so it is way cheaper. Plus, You can Lie, Cheat, Steal ( as long as its not from me), Deceive, Drink like a fish, smoke anything, eat what ever you want when ever you want, swear and have a many mistresses as your wife allows ( if she doesn't know, that's fine too!). You don't even need to go to church to worship (I prefer you do not anyway!). Just pay your tidings! Some famous members included; John Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton (and Monica Lewinski by proxy), John Edwards, Charlie Rangel, Elliot Spitzer, Anthony Wiener, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Timmy Geithner, and Jessie Jackson! Some of our social events include "Spread your seed" Dinners and a "Single for the Night" Dance for our married members. We have a 100% success rate with our members going to heaven when they die or are killed for any reason, If you do go to Hell, we give your money back!
Does Adelson really think we are all stupid? He sports $10M to Newt to buy the presidency and we are to believe he is not influencing the caucus at a school named for him (which he probably bought as well).