Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right

by Jane Mayer

David Koch not only embraced Romney but threw a $75,000-per-couple fund-raiser for him at his Southampton estate. Romney and Koch were described as exuding a “confident glow” as they and their wives descended the stairs following a private half-hour chat before the other guests arrived. A few weeks later, Romney chose Ryan as his running mate. The pick was opposed by Romney’s campaign consultant, Stuart Stevens, and proved baffling to Obama because of the unpopularity of Ryan’s extreme budget plan. But conservative donors, including David Koch and his wife, Julia, had lobbied for Ryan. It was one more indication that an invisible wealth primary was shaping the discourse and the field long before the rest of the country had the chance to vote.