Rove Group's Only Donors: Billionaires

Need proof that the term “grassroots” has become a meaningless political buzzword? Karl Rove’s American Crossroads group, which has occasionally used the term, is funded almost exclusively by four billionaires, according to Salon. And two of the four made their money in the oil and gas industry. It’s also worth noting that the group's co-founders with Rove—ex-RNC heads Ed Gillespie and Mike Duncan—are, like the former White House chief of staff, Washington veterans.

Of the $4.7 million the group has raised, 97% came from the four billionaires. All are longtime Republican donors—one, Dallas investor Harold Simmons, has contributed to everything from Oliver North’s defense fund to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. But hey, give American Crossroads some credit; last time we saw the organization, it was having trouble raising any money at all. (More Karl Rove stories.)