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Billionaire hedge fund manager, Paul E. Singer, 67, is among the Republican party's most important donors.
In a move that, over time, may change the Republican political landscape, Singer is providing $1 million to start a new “super PAC”; its sole mission will be to encourage Republican candidates to support same-sex marriage.
More after the jump.
Named American Unity PAC, the super-PAC will help to shield pro-marriage equality GOP candidates from finacial repercussions they may face from well-funded groups that oppose same-sex marriage.
According to the New York Times, Singer "contributed and helped drum up the majority of the money — more than $1 million — that fueled the campaign for same-sex marriage in New York.
He has given nearly $10 million of his own money to gay-rights initiatives, including the same-sex marriage efforts not only in New York but also in New Hampshire and New Jersey."
Singer also played a key role in bundling $250,000 for each of the Republican state senators in New York whose votes in favor of same-sex marriage allowed the measure to pass by a slim margin in the Legislature.
The super PAC’s will initially focus on congressional races, where Singer says "there are more than a few Republicans 'who could be on the verge of support' or are 'harboring and hiding their views.'"
Singer is straight, and has a gay son and son-in-law who were legally married in Massachusetts. (To know us is to love us!)
He emphasizes that marriage equality fits within the framework of conservative principles.
The NYT writes, "Singer said that it 'very well fits within my framework of freedom,' adding that it promotes 'family stability' and is a tribute to an institution in need of one.
'Obviously, the institution of marriage in America has utterly collapsed,' he said. That gay and lesbian couples nonetheless want to wed 'is kind of a lovely thing and a cool thing and a wonderful thing,' he added."
If more Republican candidates stop taking political action based on fear of financial repercussions, maybe we'll see real change within the party and across the nation on LGBT issues.
What do you think, Instincters?
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