Thanks to all for the "a capella" explanation. That makes sense. I was aware of the Internet campaign to keep him around; I wasn't clear how he made it far enough for there to be an Internet campaign. Now I am!
Apologies to those who took offense at the nickname that I repeated here. Knowing its source, I can say that is far less cruel than you may think.
"I am open, and I am willing,
For to be hopeless would seem so strange.
It dishonors those who go before us,
So lift me up to the light of change."
Holly Near