Earle has his entire livelihood to lose (except maybe as a Dem political consultant or something) - if he loses, he gets tossed out of office, convicted of official misconduct (either felony or misdemeanor grade), and is automatically disbarred.
After previous endeavors of his, his age, and his present position, would you consider his motives to be self gratifying or externally motivated?
Personally, I see Earle being snided down the road, Delay blemished slightly via the MSM, and most of this ordeal coming to rest and forgotten.
Delay losing a bit and Earle not caring either way.