[ He snorted. ] No, he's just an idiot.

[ He said it plainly. ] Being mayor is something of a downgrade, at least in the immediacy. But when you have ambitions greater than just "ambassador", you need someplace to go. ?You can't do that without having held an office more than just what we have.

Besides, I went from Mayor to Vice President back home. I'd say it's a pretty good jumping point.