My memory of 1998 is that Nickles did NOT run for ML. He counted votes and dropped his name from the list. His name WAS put out in the press as a candidate, but he never entered the race.
I'm willing to be corrected, if you have evidence to prove I'm wrong.
I've had people close to the Oklahoma Republican Party tell me that Nickles is more interested in being Chairman of the budget committee than in being Majority leader.