Although (the selection process is) political, once the process is done, you try to toss that hat away and abide by the state election laws.

I haven't a hat, but if I did, I would take it off and toss it in,

Merck is trying to send a very strong signal out there: 'Don't think you're going to toss you're hat in the litigation game and wait a couple months and we're going to toss you some money,' ... They're saying, 'If you're going to play the litigation game, you better be serious.'

I got involved in the mid-80s through an interview and selection process. The whole thing just went away, but it came back three or four years ago. I was involved not only in the design and oversight, but also with the fundraising.

We have a biotech company of some stature that went through a very rigorous selection process and chose us. Other companies may go to school on that. It's a huge signal that this is a good place to do business.

plunged into the political process.