Any psych majors here? What is driving Nifong? Sure, he wanted to keep his job as DA and ran with this case prior to the primary. Why does he persist, and can he stop himself? Is he delusional? Does he really believe a) Crystal; b) he can win; c) this does not affect his reputation? What will happen to him if a) he loses the election; b) he loses the case; c) he realizes what he's done? Mind you, I don't give a flying fig what happens to him or his wife. I do feel sorry for the kids, though. Inquiring minds want to know..... [Hee. I just had a vision of a front page story on the NE - "Nifong caught in affair with FA!" - sorry]
I think:
1. Nifong originally was merely trying to win that primary.
2. Now he is trying to win the general AND AVOID PROSECUTION.
Nifong might get out of this case now if he could. But he knows now that he has taken on some people who want more than charges dropped with their names smeared. They want vindication and he likely understands one form of vindication for them would be his sorry butt in prison.
I think two things are driving Nifong. First, Nifong has some REALLY serious resentments against the lacrosse players. He looks at them and sees young, well-off, nice looking, athletic guys. Let's face it, Nifong is none of those things. That comment he made about Duke students and their "rich daddies" was very revealing. It came out of nowhere and it was dripping with envy and resentment. Second, Nifong used the case for his own self-preservation. He needed it for political reasons and it helped him win the primary.
I think Nifong is smart enough to know that it's very unlikely he could win this case. I also think he is aware he looks like a jerk but there's nothing he can do about it. To drop the case, he would have to admit he made a mistake and I think that would be impossible for him. It would also alienate any supporters he has left. So he has nowhere to go but forward. I also think he's enjoying himself to some extent. He's getting to exert his power over some Dukies and their rich daddies.
His condition is so extreme we may need a psychiatrist or at least a psychologist dealing in abnormal psychology!
The key clue for me is that he was a social worker. Social workers, apart from those who cannot find another job, are frequently driven by huge egos and a belief that they know better than others - hence they are more likely to be dems than even journalists. Their personalized power motive scores tend to be very high, i.e., their desire to control situations and others. As to his lack of objectivity in assessing his chances for winning - very high power motive is associated with a gambler's urge to take longshots. Example: when given a chance to throw darts/rings/horseshoes from 8 feet for a moderate payoff or 20 feet for a much bigger payoff they tend to choose the latter. They are quintessential grandstanders. When things go wrong they blame anybody but themselves.
Those with this very high desire to control things will also lie without compunction and are extremely vindictive.
Other than the above, they are probably kind to animals and small children!!