Reliable sources have stated that it was Haley that talked him into running again. What I truly don't understand is why these old geezers fight so desperately to hold on. They already have more money than they could possibly hope to spend in their waning years. What gives? Any idea cotton1706?
“What gives? Any idea cotton1706?”
1. They love power, and the perks that go with it
2. They honestly think that the country can’t do without them.
3. They get vindictive. “I’ll show this young whipper-snapper a thing or two about politics!”
4. They believe that the natural order of things is to retire on their own or be taken out by a democrat.
5. They have people that push their buttons to instigate all of the above (Barbour or McConnell, in this case).
Witness the last couple of examples: Arlen Specter (”I won’t have my 30 year career be decided by the republican electorate, so I’ll just become a democrat to thwart you and piss you off.”); Ted Stevens, in the Senate since 1967, wouldn’t retire even though he knew he had an indictment coming down, defeated his primary opponent and then was himself defeated; Richard Lugar, arrogantly pissed off his constituents, was removed from power and is now endorsing the democrat in Georgia, daughter of one of his old senate pals; John McCain, don’t even get me started on him.
Orrin Hatch was one of the only smart ones. He voted in lockstep with Mike Lee to get reelected. Now he can screw us over with abandon for another six years.