By now, you’ve probably become somewhat aware of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s latest and perhaps greatest gaffe – a video at a fundraiser earlier this year at which he basically dismissed half the electorate.
After explaining to potential campaign donors that 47 percent of Americans don’t pay income tax, Romney said, “My job is is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”
What you may not know was that fundraiser took place in May in Boca Raton, Fla., at the home of Marc Leder, a private equity manager who once served as senior vice president for Lehman Brothers.
Leder is also one of 14 co-owners of the Philadelphia 76ers. He is part of the group headed by Joshua Harris, David Blitzer and Adam Aron which bought the team just under a year ago from Comcast-Spectacor for a reported $280 million.
When asked about the fundraiser by Philly.com, Leder refused comment but did issue a statement that appeared to somewhat distance his political views from those of Romney.
“I hosted a fundraiser for an old friend in May,” the statement said. “I believe all Americans should have the opportunity to succeed, to improve their lives, and to build even better lives for their children. I have supported people from both political parties who share this view and make it a priority, even though their ideas on how to achieve it may differ.”
In addition to the statement, Leder also has apologized to Romney and is trying to determine who taped Romney’s remarks, which were supposed to be off the record.
Leder, 50, doesn’t just host fundraisers, though. Last summer, he hosted a party in the Hamptons that got a little wild.
According to the New York Post, a bash that supposedly included female platform dancers and men twirling torches devolved into nude swimming and public sex. Friends of Leder have said those events
What does this have to do with hoops other than the fact Chris Bernucca is becomming a lap dog for the democratic party. Would he create a guilt by association with Obama giving some of the fundraising patrons he has chummed around with? Politics is nothing more than a bunch of sleazeballs on both sides and Bernucca seems all too willing to jump into the dungheap.
I agree, this has nothing to do with hoops, it’s all about the Democratic attack machine — not to mention total hypocricy. Does anyone really think you’d call out any of Obama’s big money donors in a similar way?
See my reply below using Obama’s Jay-Z reception. I mean, Jay-Z, is part owner of the NJ Nets, is he not?
OK I simply dsreied to appreciate you once again. I do not know the things I could possibly have achieved in the absence of those techniques documented by you concerning that area of interest. It actually was a real scary circumstance in my view, neverthe
That’s an expert answer to an interesting question
You mean I don’t have to pay for expert advice like this anymore?!
I can already tell that’s gonna be super helpful.
I’m impressed by your writing. Are you a professional or just very knowledgeable?
AFAICT you’ve covered all the bases with this answer!
That’s a crackerjack answer to an interesting question
You couldn’t pay me to ignore these posts!
Information is power and now I’m a !@#$ing dictator.
I can’t believe I’ve been going for years without knowing that.
That kind of thinking shows you’re on top of your game
Full of salient points. Don’t stop believing or writing!
It’s about time someone wrote about this.
Ew politics
this has nothing to do with hoops
I wouldn’t say it has nothing to do with hoops. If the fundraiser was at the home of an equity fund manager who didn’t own an NBA team, then it would have nothing to do with hoops. But the fact remains that the actions of NBA owners are news, whether it be Mark Cuban working at a Dairy Queen to prove a point or Dan Gilbert sending out an email manifesto or the Maloofs reneging on a financial agreement.
The NBA is a business, and all businesses are impacted by legislation, which is written, argued and enacted by politicians. Based on their income, every NBA player and owner will be impacted by this election and the tax plan of the winner.
As an aside, Mopi, I hope your disdain for politics does not extend to your right to vote. Regardless of where your political tastes may lie, your vote is the most power you have as an American citizen.
Thanks for reading.
Chris, if you left the last two pieces of your posting out of it, I would be inclined to agree with you. At the end of your posting, however, you try to create a guilt by association – Ronmey had a fundraising event by someone who at some other time hosted a party that got wild and crazy. Therefore, make the connection. That is slimey and sleezy. Unfortunately, two words you seem to be all to cozy with at times.
Chris, here’s an example of how you can do it. Obama attended a fundraiser last night with Jay-Z.(http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/beyonce_jay_host_ny_bam_ba_5wud17kNBMEiV8wim9YYJK#ixzz26vEnv4Wv) – part owner of the NJ Nets and who shines his .001% bonafides with a monument built with the most expensive champaign at his nightclub. His partner in the Nets is someone who is reputed to be very deep with the Russian mob (does anyone become rich in Russia without mob assistance?). Jay-Z is also a person who has shot his own brother, called drug dealers his role models, stabbed a record producer, and currently makes much of his money by produceing misogynistic rap videos (that fits the whole war on woman thing into the slime attack) that Obama should be embarrassed to have his kids watch, But hey, money is money.
And since Jay-Z is part of the basketball business establishment, it is of course, your duty as a sports writer to uncover these things. Unless, all you are really interested in doing is pushing forth what the democratic party has asked you to publish.
As we reported Tuesday, the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge is no more. NBA asaitssnt coaches picked the pool of nine rookies and nine sophomores listed below, but TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as GMs and draft teams Feb. 16 on the air that will meet each other on Feb. 24.
I think you’ve just captured the answer perfectly
It’s like you’re on a mission to save me time and money!
I’m quite pleased with the information in this one. TY!
If I were a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, now I’d say “Kowabunga, dude!”
It’s always a pleasure to hear from someone with expertise.
That’s a crackerjack answer to an interesting question
Good to see a talent at work. I can’t match that.
I’m really into it, thanks for this great stuff!
You’re on top of the game. Thanks for sharing.
I told my grandmother how you helped. She said, “bake them a cake!”