Funding 'ideas' ? Take $Xmm out of pre-mixed drug-running slush fund, donate to incumbent through multiple nyms, move on to six remaining tasks to do before lunch.
not that I wish to anyone, but seriously a sole fact that Asange is still alive proves to me a huge shift that happened at some point through US government agencies like CIA with the way they deal with outsiders like himself. Back in ole' days this guy would be quickly found hanging on the rope with hands taped behind, and officials classifying it as a "suicide". Who knows, perhaps he is just too darn popular right now for CIA to send someone to shut him down permanently. I recall the politicians bashing him that he endanger many US troops and US officials around the world with his publications, but yet 3 years later you can't hear about a single instant that someone got hurt due to Assange publications. I think down the line this guy made more good than bad; next time US will plot another inappropriate scheme between countries etc, they will think twice that sooner or later secrets can leak. On the other hand, guys like Bradley are heroes to me, especially now when he's going through hell served by US government. Respect!
Things have shifted because they've had to. The CIA is in the business of clandestine operations, strongly preferring to support an existing entity and failing that, small operations with extreme amounts of plausible deniability. For one, JA is just the messenger (as you point out, BM is the one who leaked the cables, and that damage has already been done), and JA is/was not even all of WL (although don't tell that to JA..). but really, since he's made it into the public spotlight, direct action is out of the question and JA can only be taken down through an illusion of law and process.
I bet the CIA is working out funding ideas right now.....
This being said, I wish him the best of luck. It's quite possible such efforts might backfire if folks trace the money back far enough.