Perhaps the MEC after doggedly following the process through months of direct and redirects came to the point where, despite shortcomings in the product, understood that nothing more could be squeezed out of management until they had the authority to finalize a deal.

Perhaps what was squeezed, or not, with the green light, does not meet the minimum standard of the majority. Did the NC bring back anything more after they got the go ahead?

Like the most of us I'll judge the deal in its entirety. We'll know soon enough.