Gail Collins has a theory about why some failed presidential candidates are able to move on and fashion new, productive public roles, whilst others (McCain, Lieberman) become committed to careers of obstruction:
Maybe the difference comes from self-image. Lieberman and McCain both thought of themselves as “character” candidates whose success was due to the love and trust of the public, and whose ultimate failure was the work of evil forces beyond their control. Kerry and Gore never believed their success was due to their innate likability. When they lost the presidency, a part of them probably shrugged and remembered that they weren’t all that popular in prep school, either.
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