I think most people knew his alleged consideration of a write in campaign was nothing but hot air. I myself believed he was just jerking everyone around because he’s mad about what happened.
But he had a very real plan.
In the time since the convention, he’s rallied his supporters around the idea of a write in campaign. He’s pulled together some positive poll numbers (I’d love to see them) on him as a write in candidate
and at today’s press conference he pulled the trigger:
“I can keep this seat if I want. I am sacrificing my career to keep the peace in Utah. No one is forcing me out of the Senate, I’m leaving on my own.” (my interpretation of his comments)
Most people snickered at his press conference. But a lot of his supporters will accept it as the official record of Senator Bennett’s voluntary retirement from the Senate.
I have friends who, after publicly expressing their support for Bennett’s write-in campaign, were contacted by the campaign seeking collaboration to determine the level of support that existed.
I have no doubt that Bennett could have made it a very interesting contest had he decided to run a write-in campaign. Of course, the risk of damaging the part was too high and he would be too vulnerable to attacks.
In the end, he did the classy thing. Had he taken serious issue with the delegate process before it forced him out, then he would have had more sympathy. As it was, a write-in campaign would have stunk of a sense of entitlement and being spoiled.