Reclusive 'Swiftboats' donor gives Romney super PAC $3M

The Texas homebuilder who financed the powerful "Swift Boat Veterans" attack ads against John Kerry in 2004 is back, this time with a $3 million donation to a pro-Romney super PAC. Bob Perry is the owner of Perry Homes and although reclusive, he is a strong supporter of conservative causes.

AUSTIN, TX (Catholic Online) - With his $3 million check, Perry is responsible for almost half of the money raised by Restore Our Future, a pro-Romney super PAC that reported raising $6.4 million in February, according to a report filed on Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). 

Perry does not attend political events or fundraisers, but he is well-known for his generous support. 

The reclusive donor has previously given to Republican causes and gave over $1 million to Restore Our Future  while also donating $2.5 million to American Crossroads, a super PAC founded by Karl Rove, and $100,000 to support Texas Governor Rick Perry's presidential  bid. 

With his donation, Perry joins an elite cadre of ultra-wealthy conservative donors who are responsible for funding the bulk of the various super PACs that are supporting the Republican candidates. 

According to the same report filed with the FEC, Restore Our Future collected 15 checks last month that were in amounts of $100,000 or more.

And the super PAC needs the money to keep the pace with spending. Last month the group spent $11.6 million on TV and internet ads, many used to attack fellow conservatives. 

The recent generosity is being spurred by a widespread belief that the country is headed in the wrong direction and that the system is punishing the most successful in society. Ken Griffin, CEO of the Citadel hedge fund said, "I think (the ultra-wealthy) actually have insufficient influence." He continued, "Those who have enjoyed the benefits of our system more than ever now owe a duty to protect the system that has created the greatest nation on this planet."

The close nature of the contest has made this one of the most expensive presidential campaigns in history - and the Republicans have still not selected a final candidate. Although Romney seems to be gaining some momentum, there is still a chance the Republican convention will be brokered.
 
No Republican candidate is polling ahead of Obama in the surveys. It remains to be seen if the big-name conservative donors will see a return or their investment, or if it is now a question of good money after bad.

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