"no indication that she had asked for the money"

That's why I asked for a source on this.

It's a bit discouraging how blithely some of my fellow liberals accept rumors as long as they are unfavorable to opponents.

Insisting on sources and facts is an aspect of dealing with reality--which some, it seems, prefer not to do. In the long run, you have to do it--or you lose.

Wishful thinking doesn't win many elections.