Thread: Santorum backer says he has 'open checkbook'

Jan 27, 2012

Santorum backer says he has 'open checkbook'

By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY Updated 1h 24m ago

The wealthy mutual fund manager who is a prime donor to a super PAC backing Rick Santorum says he'll be writing more checks to help the former Pennsylvania senator.

Foster Friess, a Wyoming man who has long given to GOP causes, is the largest donor to the Red, White and Blue Fund, which is running ads to boost Santorum. He has not said exactly how much he has donated.

Friess made clear in two interviews that he's not yet done spending on the GOP presidential race.

"Anybody who will run against Obama, I have an open checkbook," Friess told Bloomberg TV in an interview this morning.

Friess told The Wall Street Journal that he's "committed to Rick Santorum, and I'm going to be giving more to Rick Santorum. ... It's just a matter of when and how much."

The Red, White and Blue Fund so far has spent about $2 million in the GOP presidential race, according to data compiled by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. By comparison, Restore Our Future -- the pro-Mitt Romney super PAC -- has spent $16.9 million so far on TV ads and mailers.

Santorum backer says he has 'open checkbook'