Wealthiest Republican donor in Ohio leaves party after meeting with Obama

[RandySF]

After former Democratic President Barack Obama made a quiet stop in Columbus on Thursday night, the wealthiest Republican supporter in the state told a small audience at a Downtown event that he is fed up and has quit the Republican Party.

“I just decided I’m no longer a Republican,” said L Brands CEO Leslie H. Wexner, speaking during a panel discussion about civility at Miranova’s Ivory Room billed as a “Columbus Partnership and YPO Leadership Summit.”

“I’m an independent,” he said. “I won’t support this nonsense in the Republican Party. I’ve been a Republican since college, joined the Young Republican Club at Ohio State.

“I haven’t run an ad in the newspaper that said, ‘I quit,’” he told the gathering on Thursday. Instead, he’s been writing notes to his friends in elective office who are Republicans, telling them, “I want you to know that now I’m an independent.”

The event was jointly sponsored by the Columbus Partnership, a group of central Ohio’s most influential business leaders that Wexner chairs, and YPO (formerly Young Presidents’ Organization), a group of under-45 business leaders.

Obama stopped in Columbus before a rally in Cleveland Thursday night to support Democrat Richard Cordray’s run for governor.

The former president spoke on stage in Columbus with Alex Fischer, president and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, during a portion of the event that was closed to reporters.



http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180914/les-wexner-renounces-republican-party-affiliation-after-obama-stops-in-columbus

[LonePirate]

1. Good. Turning off the money spigot for those traitors is long overdue.

It also proves that some billionaires cannot be pacified with tax cuts.

[Cha]

11. Good point about the tax cuts.. they're all not

as Greedy as the Fraud.

[gratuitous]

2. Another "independent" Republican - great

These fuckers can't be Republicans anymore, but they can still see their way clear to supporting the party of misogyny, racism, and oligarchy. Thanks a fuckin' heap, Mr. Wexner. At least you aren't actively supporting our country's destruction. At least for now. A year from now, you'll be right back, dicking over the American people in the name of more money that you can never spend.

Prove me wrong.

[LittleGirl]

13. That's exactly how I took this! eom

[BigmanPigman]

3. I hope that whatever be has is contagious.

[FakeNoose]

4. I want to believe that a lot of these guys will leave the GOP soon, if they haven't already

The only ones left will be the crazies and the outright racists.

[Hoyt]

5. Good, but we'll have to trust he punches better candidates when behind curtain. Not convinced here.

Contributions might indicate a real change.

[bettyellen]

6. I hope so, he's always been a huge philanthropist and a self made man.

Maybe he hates the changes he sees in Ohio. *crossing fingers*

[oasis]

7. Chalk another one up for Obama.

[bdtrppr6]

8. wolf in sheep's clothing

his voting and stances will stay the same. not progressing, just divesting.

[JohnnyRingo]

9. Don't tell us.

Let your money do the talking Mr Independent.

[DFW]

10. Color me skeptical, but willing to hope. He could have just shut up.

If he's one of the wealthiest guys in Ohio, he certainly doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. But it's when he makes a six figure donation to some PAC helping Sherrod Brown or Richard Cordray that I'll be convinced of his sincerity. Just withholding his contributions this election cycle just means the Kochs will have to write another check out of petty cash.

[NBachers]

12. It's the trending "going independent" manoeuvre. Absolving one's self of all guilt or responsibility

while reserving the "choice" to keep engaging in the same behavior.

Matthew 27:24 New International Version (NIV)
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

[samplegirl]

14. Wow him and his wife were big

Contributors to the Republican Party. He was CEO of Victoria’s Secret.

[Achilleaze]

15. The stink from the degenerate, treasonous GOP is overwhelming

Gotta get away from that stink...