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Here is a funny story about when Lamar Alexander ran for President in 1996. Alexander and the other candidates had to pony up chunks of cash to the Florida GOP to be sponsors of the state party presidential preference convention. In return, the candidates got a suite of rooms, sponsor tables, special access to the attendees, and a speaking slot before the gathering.

On the day of the convention speeches though, Alexander was stricken with laryngitis and could not speak so he had an aide read his speech to the convention. Afterwards, Alexander and the aid went to the state GOP Chairman, Tom Slade, and asked for a partial refund of the sponsorship fee -- because after all, Alexander had been unable to speak.

Slade -- a Trump-like figure in many ways and a tremendously effective state GOP chairman -- did not hesitate a moment but replied: "HELL NO!" Alexander and his aide slinked off, dejected.