Then he went out and paid for the delegates' dinner at the Little America Grand Ballroom.

Candidates prefer to get the delegates in small groups where they can work the crowd. That usually means a speech while delegates are munching down on breakfast, lunch or dinner — paid for by the candidates, of course.

And if delegates can't make the main course, there are plenty of ice cream socials.

If delegates spill on their shirts or blouses, there are plenty of candidate T-shirts to wear. And bags to carry all the free stuff.

But delegates will face the reality that they will all turn into pumpkins by the time the convention adjourns later today. And the surviving candidates will be off looking for a new Cinderella to wear the glass slipper. That's the primary election voter.

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E-mail: spang@desnews.com