This may be interesting. Nickles may have fired his silver bullet prematurely. There's no indication that there is an overwhelming sentiment for Lott to be ousted. In fact, it seems they were willing to let him work this out himself.
Now, Nickles, in a blatant attempt to forward his own career, steps out on his own.
Nickles has always been a bit reckless and unpolished.
This could blow up in his face, with Lott winning.
And how would that make his position any worse?