Critical Reasoning

JOURNALIST: Every election year at this time the state government releases the financial
disclosures that potential candidates must make in order to be eligible to run for office.
Among those making the required financial disclosure this year is a prominent local
businessman, Arnold Bergeron. There has often been talk in the past of Mr. Bergeron's
running for governor, not least from Mr. Bergeron himself. This year it is likely he finally will,
since those who have discounted the possibility of a Berderon candidacy have always
pointed to the necessity of making financial disclosure as the main obstsacle to such a candidacy.

In the journalist argument, the two boldfaced portions play
which of the following roles?

A: The first provides information without which the argument lacks force; the
second states the main conclusion of the argument.

B: The first provides information without which the argument lacks force;the second
states an intermediate conclusion that is used to support a further conclusion.

C: The first describes a practice that the the journalist seeks to defend; the
second cites a likely consequence of this practice

D: The first states evidence bearing against the main conclusion of the argument;
the second states that conclusion.

E: Each provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion that supports
a further conclusion stated in the argument.

Can somebody please assist in breaking down the reasoning above...
Source: GMATPREP1 q38
OA:
A

Can you please edit the question so it is easier to read.

IMO A:

First find out the conclusion of this argument then attack on this problem :

Clearly the 2nd bold face is the main conclusion.
So only A, D remains.

D : The first states evidence bearing against the main conclusion -> false.

So A.

gmatdriller wrote:JOURNALIST: Every election year at this time the state government releases the financial
disclosures that potential candidates must make in order to be eligible to run for office.
Among those making the required financial disclosure this year is a prominent local
businessman, Arnold Bergeron. There has often been talk in the past of Mr. Bergeron's
running for governor, not least from Mr. Bergeron himself. This year it is likely he finally will,
since those who have discounted the possibility of a Berderon candidacy have always
pointed to the necessity of making financial disclosure as the main obstsacle to such a candidacy.

In the journalist argument, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

A: The first provides information without which the argument lacks force; the second states the
main conclusion of the argument.

B: The first provides information without which the argument lacks force;the second states
an intermediate conclusion that is used to support a further conclusion.

C: The first describes a practice that the the journalist seeks to defend; the second cites a
likely consequence of this practice

D: The first states evidence bearing against the main conclusion of the argument; the second
states that conclusion.

E: Each provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion that supports a further
conclusion stated in the argument.

Can somebody please assist in breaking down the reasoning above...
Source: GMATPREP1 q38
OA:
A

A for me

As mentioned by paes, second is the main claim of the argument.
First is not against the main conclusion. It basically supports the main claim.