Imagine a sitting President trying to make a fair judgment about a policy decision impacting the businessman who single-handedly financed his entire election.

Newt Gingrich’s campaign is surviving entirely as a result of the Citizens United ruling, which allows unlimited campaign expenditures, as long as they’re not coordinated with campaigns.

Under the present system, Gingrich can simply have a single extremely wealthy supporter, Sheldon Adelson, write a series of $5 million checks.

Sheldon Adelson (left) and Newt Gingrich (right)

“Winning Our Future” is Gingrich’s “independent” PAC, and it’s an entire shadow campaign, complete with a ground operation in addition to advertising. Adelson’s money isn’t enough for Gingrich to attain parity with Romney, but it is keeping him alive.

Imagine a sitting President trying to make a fair judgment about a policy decision impacting the businessman who single-handedly financed his entire election.

–Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine