However,

The biggest surprise is Norquist's largest individual donor: Richard ''Dickie" Scruggs, a Democratic Mississippi trial lawyer, who contributed $4.3 million. Scruggs had received a $1 billion fee in the landmark tobacco case against the same tobacco companies that were also Norquist's donors.

Scruggs, like the tobacco companies and some other leading donors, was interested in more than lifting the burdens of the taxpayer.

He said he had his own agenda: He wanted Norquist to work to defeat a congressional proposal that he feared would confiscate most of his $1 billion legal fee in the tobacco case.

I have a feeling Norquist could relate to that!

Turns out that the G-Man did a touch of that old black magic he does so well - and that proposal was toast.

Strange thing is, Scruggs only chipped in a miserly $4.3 million. Surely services like that deserve at least 5% off the top?

Just proves that, when it comes down to it, there is no Red or Blue in politics - only Green.

Those drafting a Dem Contract with America are no doubt bearing this in mind...