I think I’ll suspend judgment on this one. The Times is rather vague about who spoke and what they said. And frankly, the Times simply lies when it’s convenient.
In other words, I don’t believe this story, without seeing a fuller version from a more trustworthy source.
Also with all the wheeling and dealing that is going on in secret here, any and all “compromises” can be backed out and nobody will be the wiser until Bummer has signed the piece of feces.
I’m with you. This is too vague to come to any conclusions yet.