Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 100,044	$ 55,244
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sale of investment securities	174,253	82,649
Purchase of investment securities	(312,919)	(129,483)
Proceeds from sale or liquidation of long-term investments	549	75
Purchase of long-term investments	(12,000)	(5,000)
Investments in real estate ventures	(29,378)	(45,977)
Investments in consolidated real estate businesses	0	(7,697)
Distributions from real estate ventures	5,540	2,463
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies	(435)	(470)
Increase in restricted assets	(1,108)	(553)
Issuance of notes receivable	(250)	0
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	4	11
Capital expenditures	(20,746)	(8,686)
Repayments of notes receivable	933	9,460
Purchase of subsidiaries	(250)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(195,807)	(103,208)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt issuance	413,918	454,200
Financing costs	(12,360)	(11,750)
Repayments of debt	(10,305)	(420,710)
Borrowings under revolver	645,894	723,578
Repayments on revolver	(673,866)	(736,007)
Dividends and distributions on common stock	(122,051)	(107,302)
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(4,861)	0
Proceeds from exercise of Vector options	4,407	528
Tax benefit of options exercised	937	33
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	241,713	(97,430)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	145,950	(145,394)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	234,466	405,855
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 380,416	$ 260,461