I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you can have – to come out number-one man. He fought it out here, and this is where I’m gonna win it for him.

Death of a Salesman
Happy Loman, Act 2

Kevin Wade too had his dream.  It was a bold dream; one fashioned from Brooks Brothers Bankers grey, fine Constitutional accents, and a true blue tie.   A vision of Legislative grandeur he believed had his name emblazoned on its DC marquee.  Oh, but it was not meant to be.  Buoyed by frisky winds and a calm, yet inspired, white blanket of a January day, the lawn fancy planted never taking root, wilting then dying in the June heat five months hence.

K-Wade has pulled up stakes and folded his tent.  Having fought through that angry winter without a name or so much as a few sheckles for a contender’s coat, K kept keepin’ on.  Besieged by insipid subordinates and feckless stratagems, the campaign never got out of first gear… but to meet and talk to K-Wade one never would have gotten any vibe other than that of a trooper.  One would swear he had some magic potion or cape… or somethin’, that would miraculously vault him into the spotlight ergo into the race.  He had too his ardent legion of apostles who worked tirelessly – and sans pay – to tug his message to we the people.  There was noble effort but not sufficient in the end to keep his campaign from the predicted show finish fate.

We had written of K-Wade as a pretender; a man locked in a Quixotic battle with the Windmills of the GOP, and perhaps he was.  But it cannot be said he didn’t have heart, purpose, and a manifest worthy of our consciousness.  He did.  And while he may have lost his bid for the House, we can only hope Delaware hasn’t lost his voice or his vision for a consecrated Constitution and a tenacious Bill of Rights.

In parting he has opted not to throw his support to either Mama or the floundering Papa.  Hmmmm.  Some bad blood… or not the right offer perhaps (oh, it’s been talked about… right, King?… right, Mama?)  I’m thinkin’ Mama if K’s smart and wants to hang around awhile.  I’m just sayin’.

We at DE2010 wish you well, K-Wade.   We’re certain your name will again surface.

Come Back to the Five and Dime Kevin Wade, Kevin Wade.

Yo Kevin, where’d ya go?  Been two weeks since the Convention handed ya a show finish amongst your political peeps, and we were just wonderin what the hell ya decided to do.  So… what the hell’d  ya decide to do?  Besides sit back with a Heineken (or two) and entertain classy, plausible, and beneficial exit strategies.

This is the life after Convention for semi-pros like K-Wade.  I mean, seriously; he never had a shot at the majors but gave it his absolute best.  Anyone who’s ever been to a Blue rocks game can relate:  Talent; can run, throw, and hit pretty good… but just not as good as say… Johnny Damon… who went from Wilmington to Boston to NYC to stardom because he was a better player.  Yeah, it’s kinda like that with K-Wade.  He looked good in uniform but couldn’t run as fast or hit the curve.  So he was trapped in the minors never to find his way from the life of 10 hr bus trips and carrying his own luggage.

And now even his Single A locker has been cleaned out and he has – for all intents and purposes – stopped acting like a playa.  Gone are the press releases and the 3 county tours of cheap beer, rubber chicken dinners, and handshakes.  Replaced by the memories and debt of a campaign dead and gone.  And of course the “What if’s.”

Like… What if he had been a more compelling speaker and candidate right out of the box?  What if he had had the pin for Mama’s Black Card… or one of his own?  What if Axiom had done a better job… any job?  What if he wasn’t constantly avoiding breaking his ankles by sidestepping the holes dug by inane staffers?  What if the party liked him for more than just a person (a good guy for certain)?

And what if he’d had all of the above and gotten to face Minner…er, ah…Carney in November?

That’s what he’s thinkin’.

So the State GOP convention is history.  As are a few of the hopefuls chances.  The show of hands had handed Mama the spoils and with them the key to the Bat Cave (as if she needed one).  A lot of money was spent and if we are to believe the buzz from Papa’s and K-Wade’s camps, they are (at least Papa) not yet ready to ride into the sunset.  A continuation of the primary campaigns are – in our eyes – a superfluous act, destined only to waste gobs of cash while producing anything but the desired result:  Their name atop Mama’s come September.

These are the dreams of some good and ideological men and woman (yes that means you, Rose);  ones who believed they held their own key to what the Party, State, and Nation needed – And dreams do die hard, but they are well beyond life support now.  There are a lot of folks hammered by the down economy that could use the million that K and Papa will spend to not look like quitters.  They’re not of course, but need to check out the handwriting on the wall… It’s Madda’s show now. She is the name at the top and it’s gonna stay there.  The King and his Court are smart and new deals are being forged as we speak.  Backing out in style plays well with all parties.  Avoiding expensive fights that only prove to fracture party and message, and at a time when the focus – and money – would be better spent preparing for “The Chosen One.”  Now that is gonna be a fight and its gonna require a whole lot of coil and a single laser focus should Madda come from behind (yep, its where she is) and beat Carney in November.

Oh, but for now “Let’s Make a Deal” have been, and will continue to be the channel the GOP’ers are tuned into.

Perhaps Papa and K-Wade (we’d mention Rose, but she holds her ears anytime the word “Deal” is uttered… were all of you aware that Deals are always done in back rooms?) didn’t see Monte Hall slip into town right before Mama announced her candidacy.  Both Monte and Carol (as in Merrill, the original Vanna White) sat with the King and assured that Mama, should she hop aboard, she would walk away with exactly what she walked away with… The Nod… and with the guaranteed 66%.  The Dog and Pony show replete with all the, “Sussex rumor’s are swirling that Glen will eek out the call” only served to mask the “Deal” and allow Monte and Carol time to slip back out.   We had ourselves questioned Madda’s intensity.  Turns out she was on cruise control not needing to do anything but show up.  She was bland but always fashionable decked out in the colours of the “Deal”… black and white… simplicity with style.

Now onto Door # 2 and the proposals that will be made to both Papa and K-Wade.  Ya know Fred (Remember me) Cullis got one.  Party unity comes at a cost.  Now its only a matter of stubbornness that lies between a single Mama scotch and a blended party bottle.  I think the King prefers the Mama Macallan.

That is a done deal.

It wasn’t yet Memorial Day but one could see the signs of the impending Summer season here in Rehoboth Beach.  Parking was at a minimum (and no, we’re not talking the 5 min meters that require begging for quarters), the tourists, while sans tans were in July cruise mode, and the legion of Oakley sporting officers in their star cruisers camped out at the city limits daring anyone to exceed the allowable 25 mph.  Yep, The Nations Summer Capital was awake and abuzz after the winter from hell.  The avenue was alive.

And amongst all the pre-summer revelry were some somber souls meandering the strip outside the Convention Center who looked as though they had lost their best friends.  They walked with a gate one might have if one had partied a ‘lil too hard and woke to find the phone number they had gotten the night before was a phony.   With strings trailing their shoes attached to popped balloons and shoulders dotted with confetti dandruff, the night before evidently had not portended a glorious day today.  And unbeknownst to the early bird shoppers who were welcoming in summers early entrance were the once GOP hopefuls who were facing an early exit.  Dreams dashed by a show of hands while being shown the door.

This was Republican Convention Weekend.  It was held in the venue that has seen its share of beauty pageants; winners and losers; cheers and tears.  And this was a beauty pageant to be sure.  Only a new Miss Delaware wasn’t crowned, but a former Miss USA was.  Mama Rollins won the hearts (at least 66% of the hearts) of the GOP and became the darlin’ of the party and the belle of the ball, outdistancing Papa and K-Wade for the much coveted party endorsement.  Get it and the primary road becomes a lot smoother – leave without it and the pot holes get a lot deeper and the national money well dries up.

None of this was much of a surprise, really – unless you are Papa and K-Wade – as it didn’t take a hand writing expert to read this wall.  This as a coronation was a ‘lil off as the party has been runnin’ on 6 of the 8 cylinders due to some gummed up ideological plugs and some water in the gas line vibe from the Grande Dame in recent weeks.  Papa Glen went for broke as did K-Wade (although K was tellin folks he had some serious millions committed should he get the nod) and both will now be forced to hit the eval button as to whether to continue; cause spending big primary money now could be foolish… if ya have it.  For the record, Papa says he’s stickin’ with his (second place) hand and stayin’ in.  Guess since he’s acted like the playa for so long it’s hard to give up the ghost.  K-Wade would be better suited to look for a job with Da Madda, and she would be wise to include him.

And what of Rose Izzo?  What of Rose Izzo.  She stayed away.  She doesn’t get it and never will.  Did like her quip about non-essential Gov personnel, though. Maybe a career in stand-up?

So the Party has their gal.  Now they got some patchin’ to do if they expect to challenge the Chosen One in November.  First, they would be wise to avoid an expensive and fracturing primary fight (you listenin’, Papa?),  second, they need to get on the same flippin’ page; far too many Chefs in the kitchen, and third…someone light a fire under Madda, will ya?  She’s been runnin’ on Nyquil, guys.

A Side Final Note:   The King beat out Miss Tetley.  Yea King.  Whatta shocker!  Maybe next time around Christine can afford the $30 for the Friday night dinner.

Should anyone have read the press releases lately from the stable housing the GOP’s 3^rd ranked House candidate, K-Wade, they would’ve been treated largely  to an amateur calligraphy loaded with warm and fuzzy redundancy as to how their man has captured the hearts, affection, and support of anyone who has shaken his hand or come to within a meter of earshot.   To hear his camp tell it one would swear the Man from Wade is on fire and dead on the heels of Mama and Papa as they come down the stretch to the Convention.  One would also be under the impression that everyone who has breathed the same air as Kevin (yes we know your name too) has proceeded to pledge their loyalty and their ducats as to ensure his success.   We do know he’s got some pretty solid support and has raised some pretty good cash, not great, but pretty good.   And it’s that “pretty good” that has the Wade camp infusing the uber-popular vernacular, “Grass Roots” when describing his moderate fundraising results.  Interpretation? … more goin’ out than comin’ in and folks had better dig a ‘lil deeper if he is to have any shot.

These are telling signs that K needs more money, more muscle, and more substance.  In this latest release he has struck a chord toward that goal… at least in substance.

Let’s chat a ‘lil about something I find of critical importance in our political and judicial spectrum… The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Remember those?  Both having taken a hit lately and are teetering on the edge of irrelevance and both now on the front burner – evidently –  of the Wade agenda.  Yes, it’s a big deal to us and we believe it ought to be a big deal to all of us.  Many bluster about adhering to the very foundations and principles (The Right and the 9-12’s leading the charge) of the documents, but most – including the Right and 9-12’s – fall woefully short when actually faced with the reality that such staunch fidelity to these parchments ain’t as popular as it used to be.  Rights have become increasingly selective and standing up for potentially volatile issues has proved a rocky road for politico’s who anchored themselves to pop public opinion… which is most of them.

Enter K-Wade. Stating in his press release – and with conviction – that he would “Never support a bill that overreaches the Constitution,” and that he “Would never vote for a bill that weakens the Bill of Rights,” (both statements loaded with wiggle room) Wade is committing to the unwanted (or at least till the bill comes due).  Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, Gay Rights, Human Rights,  Free Speech, Abortion Rights (He may back off this one), Criminals Rights (this one too), and Second Amendment Rights (not this one), have historically taken gargantuan efforts to bring to public and judicial light, and secure; and not without a boatload of counter lobbies, bad press,  and a whole bunch of kickin’ and screamin’.    And we haven’t even touched on Privacy.  They are hot button and they are politically incendiary, if not downright radioactive.   Just corner any of our esteemed candidates (and incumbents) with mere mention of the ACLU and watch ‘em squirm before dancing the toward the nearest exit.

Now K-Wade may be deluding himself a bit to think that  the “Will of both the Delaware and American citizens” he espouses to follow, will jive with standin’ firm with the two documents.  Most voters would swear they would fight to the death to preserve  both (or at least support those who would), but really understand little the fierce fight freedom puts up should We the People choose to maintain it.   It ain’t easy and it’s never popular.  You ready for that, K?

The Constitution and Bill of Rights were penned for all Americans; not a select few.  Seems as though K-Wade gets this and ought to get some kudos as a result.

He in all probability won’t reach the top, but at least he’s climbin’ up the right hill.

Let’s see Mama, Papa, The Quiet Man, The Chosen One and The King follow suit… and mean it.

But do keep an eye on the exits.

Given our recent reports (one picked up by Richard Black of the BBC… “Up in Flames”) on the developing environmental disaster off Nawlins’, some may look at this title as an extension of that coverage.   They would be mistaken.  This piece, while not focusing on the flood of crude with its sights set on Magazine St, does carry an ominous metaphor that is currently drifting towards the shores of the Republican State Convention in less than a fortnight.  The once pristine waters of a unified party are being threatened by a slick comprised of fractured relationships and dissent amongst its very core – and those who feel they should be the core.  Right leaner’s, moderates, Tea’s; all on their own soapbox with a biased and dogmatic view of just what the party must now stand for.  It could get ugly; and at a time when solidarity would appear to be a most valued commodity.

Now for anyone who’s ever been to a political convention, National or State, they would then be familiar with the ancillary revelry, debauchery and hi jinx that accompany the (serious) nature at hand.  It’s a time for struttin’ one’s – and the party’s – stuff while the family elders and network of envoys debate agenda, construct platforms, choose its emissaries (candidates) , and move towards the goal of whuppin’ the Dems in November.  It’s when a party ought to be at its zenith.  On top of its game.  But if the memo sent to the GOP party leadership yesterday by one of its delegates was any bellwether,  there’s gonna be trouble in River City, and it rhymes with T and that stands for TEA.

Ah, the memo.  With residue of Tetley all over it, the manifest was rife with the 9-12 fingerprints: Free market, fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited Government,  and a constructing a platform the GOP and The Tea’s can agree on, and general intolerance for anyone with the temerity to hold one counter thought.   Actually it read more like a diaphanous threat; Like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction when she chillingly tells Michael Douglas “That I won’t be ignored.” Yeah, it’s just like that.

Oh, but it gets better.  The said delegate, Evan Queitsch, goes on to Blast… and I mean BLAST… The King as a pert near conservative anti-Christ that stands in the way of true right wing constitutional ideology.  Now The King may be a ‘lil soft in the middle, but the Tea’s are steppin’ outta bonds with that one.  EQ proceeded to list vote after vote, Mike’s record as it applies to the “Global Warming hoax” (Castle siding with the environment), Omnibus Bill, the Wall St. bailout (the King voted in favour), Planned Parenthood; leveling him for voting against an amendment to withhold fed tax dollars from Planned Parenthood (oh, the horrors), and even attacking the King for voting for “Cash for Clunkers,” as they feel it would eliminate affordable wrecks better earmarked for the poor… for the poor now, huh?   This of course is a two way street these cars travel; one to supplying cars to those without; one to boosting the economy by Jump starting some sagging auto sales  Suffice to say, he (EQ) – and his followers – don’t care much for moderation in any form.  And directed at the venerable one!  Get out!  Coonsy’s gotta be turnin’ cartwheels.

And even though there exists some intelligent differences in the rant, his wheels fall off when he whole heartedly endorses Christine O’Donnell, referring to her as a Party Martyr (our words) that would be a player if only the King would debate her… which just ain’t gonna happen.  She is a non factor and a fraud candidate who due to her Tea leaf aura has been embraced as legitimate by those with the Grass Roots.  Maybe she ought to cut her teeth debating Rose.  Now that I would pay to see.

And the cherry on top of it all is the ringing endorsement of the now popular Papa U, who, if the chips fall just right could be the name at the top of the ticket.  But he cannot afford to piss off the very folks who are now pissed off at this shot over the bow.  This makes Mama Rollins a much more attractive candidate and unifier in the eyes of Prissy and Laird… and a bunch of other folks.   Yes, our political scene needs dissention to keep everyone honest, but a party also needs wins… not losses… and this fracture portents a big ‘ole “L” in November if the GOPer’s don’t straighten out their act.  Papa and his team better watch for the yellow light before it changes its mind.  Oh, and K-Wade (mentioned favourably to a T) ought to keep an eye on the yellow light as well… I’m just sayin’… somethin’ ‘bout the company you keep.

So there you have it Soap Fans.  Payton Place has returned for a new season with Chris Coons and John Carney calling Comcast for the full cable package.

Don’t worry if ya missed the original air date… they’ll replay the entire pilot on May 15^th.

When we think of elections we think of November;  post Halloween; sweater weather; when the sun takes its hiatus till Spring.  When we’ve all tired of the battery of street corner signage and radio rhetoric.   When we just wish it would all be over and we can move past the faux pledges and fruitless promises and get back to a political norm… same ole same ole.

Right now November seems pretty damned far off as we are in post blizzard bring on the heat mode.  But if one happens to be a Republican Congressional hopeful, then the election – at least on the party end -  is being held on May 14^th when the GOP bestows on one the mantle of Party favourite.   And all Four (2 mainframes, 1 spoiler, and 1 why is she here) are now in full op-tempo to convince the powers that be (and interested undecideds) that they hold the key to galvanizing the party and toppling the dems Chosen One six months hence.

In what has been an entertaining dance to date from the camps of Mama, Papa, and K-Wade, the norm has morphed into a capricious assemblage of political intrigue, posturing,  scene stealing orchestration, and surprising (at least in Mama’s case) lack of aggression.

In what is a continual – if not over magnified – procession to popularity by Papa Glen Urquhart, his early buzz has been serviceable. This was evident again in his second good straw fetching performance last night in Newark… above the canal, Newark.   While Monday night’s Sussex planted crowd gave Papa an expected thumbs up, it also revealed Mama’s possible Achilles in that she has yet to deliver a command performance.  And if you’re a party head or insider that is hitched to her wagon, this ain’t good news.  If you can’t appear more colossal than a meek grandfatherly conservative figure then you got issues come Convention time and in the General… if you get that far.  For all the hype the Rollins courtship and drama has provided it hasn’t been matched by substance or fire.  I’m just sayin’.

Papa will need to dig into the his self lent coffer a while longer to keep his own fire burnin’, but his machine is runnin’ on a ‘lil high octane right now.  His folks understand Press releases and keep the spin pedal down with often over inflated estimates of what their man has actually accomplished.  The first debate didn’t have enough guests to fill a dinner table and last nights crowd came largely by way of Rt. 1 north; but one wouldn’t get that from Papa’s releases; just that he is kickin’ ^$$.

Mama’s own languid campaign is only part of her issue if she plans on remaining the party’s darling.  K-Wade is busy keeping his own pedal down and may steal too much of the NCC stage in the process.  Something’s gotta give, and if Mama ain’t careful it could be her support network.

So far the whole lot has been unimpressive.  We expected a Mandalay Bay poker battle but have been treated thus far to a game of neighborly bridge.

This isn’t gonna grab anyone’s attention… and attention is the name of the game… that is if the GOP plans on toppling Carney when November rolls around.

The Republicans need a  playa to emerge.  They were banking on Mama.  She had better start paying dividends and step to the plate.

April is runnin’ out fast and May is on deck which means only three things:  1. The Kentucky Derby   2. Point to Point   3. Just 18 shopping days left till the Republican State Convention.  And the funny thing is they all revolve around horseracing, cocktails, and showmanship.  Yeah, we know… Cinco de mayo blah blah blah … but that’s just a big Corona Commercial.

P2P, try as it may, has its sights set on diverting a streamlined crowd from its drunken perch over top of “Mr. du Pont’s garden” and back to the ponies and a lil more decorum.  Keepin’ the riff raff – or those who will spend the money to be excluded – behind the ropes should help…lol.  Of course, there will be more than a few buttons on display at the tailgates and a good opportunity for the Big 3 to press the flesh.  This is Mama’s home turf so she’ll get Jill Abbott to issue riff raff passes to Papa and K-Wade – if they show… they should – so as to maintain the proper social balance.  Mama ain’t into that as much as folks think, but she’s def not standing out with the unwashed.

The Derby is the derby and will have all the politicos shaking hands while negotiating their flapping gums around the mint julep glass at any number of parties. You can bet this trifecta of GOPer’s has some Derby plans to shake hands… with somebody.

And the Convention will be a metaphoric horse race with the win-place-show deciding the order of favourites between the only three candidates in the race.  Mama, Papa and the Man from Wade…  Rose would love to hear the trumpet if she could only get out of the paddock.

Speaking of K-Wade, his camp has put out a call to post in the form of a newsletter release rallying all the troops and those still undecided to come hang with the Player to be named later.  Starting on the 27^th with a ‘lil Bill Colley radio blast, K hits the cross-county road going from Wilmington, to the Women (GOP, of course) of Sussex,  to a Lewes campaign dinner (in a Manor of speaking), to some “Days” in Dover,  to a pre-Derby meet, eat, and greet with the early crew at Stanley’s.  And on May Day?… expect to see the K-Diddy hoppin’ on the Weymouth’s  hearse.  ( a portent?)

This is all to take advantage of all the pre-race hype and betting going to Mama and Papa ergo giving the #3 horse – Man from Wade – a hopeful stretch opening to scream down from 3 furlongs back and pull off the biggest comeback since Lazarus.

It’s a long Belmont-like stretch run with a lot more jockeying to do before all the Chicken dinners and voters settle.  K-Wade’s a distant third with enough hay in the barn to get him maybe to second.

After that he’ll take his chances.

So there seems to be some banter recently about what a debate will look like once the King and the Quiet Man take the stage.  Not much of the convo centers on the issues (although there are enough of those) but rather the respective heights of the two combatants.  Barack O’Biden had the advantage over a much shorter John McCain and just looked better.  JFK was taller and looked a hellava lot better than Richard Nixon and blew a rumpled tricky away with ease .  And in the mack daddy of examples, Honest Abe Lincoln – all 6’4” of him – towering over his short (5’4”) and stocky opponent, Stephen A. Douglass, commanded the stage in all seven of the 1858 Illinois Senatorial debates as Douglass looked more suited to ride a thoroughbred than he did appear like one.

In many cases – political or not – the taller the person is the more presence he has. (We’d include the ladies, but until Ann Donavan – all 6’8” of Gold medal Olympian – runs for a Senate post, there is no real precedent) A taller candidate seems to rule more of the air hence  being viewed as stronger and often times the winner.  Stereotyped?  Perhaps, but a style and perception issue nonetheless.

So what will the shorter and stockier Coons do to offset the Lincoln-like stature of the King?  A healthy tan?  Perhaps he will point out ahead of time that the King slouches… so how Senatorial is that?  Or maybe he wears a pair of George Costanza shoe lifts; or maybe a box… yeah, that’s it… a soapbox.  Looking all the like a Hyde Park, London Sunday orator…

All kidding aside, the Quiet Man will offset the King’s height advantage with impetuous verve and the King for his part will stand taller than usual as he extols the virtues of his lengthy service.

PS.  Mama and Papa will have a similar discussion when facing K-Wade as the GOP Congressional primary debates shift to a podium rather than those metal cafeteria chairs.  Rosie will have her work cut out as well.  She’ll need some really high heels.

It’ll all be fun.

And that’s the long and the short of it.

With all this talk about money and politics (yes, in that order), we thought we’d attempt to throw some clarity on just what it is that makes having significant cash in hand so critical and so very telling as to a contestant’s likelihood for a successful run.  Seems more than a few voters loathe the fact that financing plays such a considerable role in elections at any level; local and national.  We hear it every election cycle – the man/woman with the mostest  has the bestest chance – and that pisses folks off.  Well… some folks

Isn’t it interesting that the candidates (and their supporters) who cry the most that elections should not be about the money, are the very ones who don’t have any?

Hmmmmmm.

And what exactly does it say about their candidate… and in turn, about them as a supporter?

They miss the point in that it isn’t always the lack of funds that spell doom for these hopefuls.  What  it does spell out is the fact that no one will write them a check.  That’s the point.  The candidates that most feel can – and will – do the best job (yes, we factor in perception…lol) usually are the beneficiaries of the biggest donations.  This is not to suggest, however, that the deluge of green coming in as a result of the national party backing , in addition to the special interest clans, don’t work to influence pub opinion, ergo voting patterns, but even these windfalls are an important indicator as to the level of support a said contender has achieved.  In the end it becomes a simple metric:  An empty coffer = no constituent or party support, which = no votes, which = no chance.  The candidacies straddling the poverty line are usually – and let’s emphasize usually – there for a reason.  Could it be that their base was – and is – anything but energized;  all their support vocal?  I mean, how does one actively campaign for 3-4 months and show a couple hundred bucks?  I realize not all can loan themselves half a million (See Papa Urquhart) – and he hopes not to use it, but shows under 4 G’s in donations, soooooo what does that really say about his support?   Hmmmm?

And lookie at K-Wade who’s posting just under 50 G’s and is a looooooongshot at best.   Catch the drift?

So if all the folks who bitch at us for calling out their candidates financial barrenness would just pony up with a fat WSFS check then they wouldn’t be leaving their compadres wearing nothing but a barrel; and with their campaign hopes resting over one.

Money matters… it is reality.