Ive been thinking this for a while. It really feels like they’re letting it happen so they can “live to fight another day” 

 faking a lead 

 Yep, spot on. Either way the economy tanks, he's just the one holding the hot potato......next to Ross. 

 Probably. 

 And burn a billion bucks in campaign financing? Doubtful. A lot of people are angry they got bilked.