“Mr. Adelson, 79 years old, said he has many friends in Washington, ‘but the reasons aren’t my good looks and charm. It’s my “pocket personality” referring to his donations.”

Must-read WSJ article, which also includes this part:

Mr. Adelson’s 2012 donations were double what he spent in 2008, and looking ahead, he said, he was ready to again “double” his donations.

“I’ll spend that much and more,” he said in his first extensive postelection interview. “Let’s cut any ambiguity.”