Yes you are right in your last line Dermot! You can be assured that "  a broad-based coalition to defend the dividend would unite to stop anything."
 That is false statement to say "There is something on that list to irritate everyone and the numbers can be adjusted, but those are the basic tools out of which a compromise has to be built" False plainly. 
 Why DID they not include sale of Alaska's Land resource  as part of the" basic tools out of which a compromise has to be built" .... Please do an opinion on that Dermot...