Mitch is taking this job until an opportunity opens in 2016 for the VP job for whatever Republican runs against whoever succeeds President Obama. He'll drop it in a heartbeat if he has a serious shot at the White House.

He knew this wasn't the right year because Obama is almost a shoe-in and anyone "seriously" running for the GOP nomination is doing so purely for ego reasons, or to bolster their own resume or increase their value on the Fox News circuit.

Mitch didn't want to give the Democrats four years of preparation had he announced his interest as a VP choice this election cycle where the GOP doesn't stand a chance.