Because his resignation made headlines, his views may get more attention.
He was among three strong candidates for the top-ten list, but his resignation made him ineligible.
Alma Welch said her husband's resignation made it "a very sad day."
"He just thought that a resignation rather than a leave of absence will make it crystal clear that his fund-raising is beyond reproach," she said.
Still, the resignation, coming on top of all the others, made it appear that the administration was stumbling and losing direction.
"And, my recent resignation probably didn't make it any easier for you to determine exactly where my loyalties lay."
Joel's resignation to the dual worlds he disdains makes for a compelling but sometimes claustrophobic reading experience.
Mr. London said he feared that the resignations of the two pastors could make people suspect all senior clergy members.
In any case, the resignation will not make Democrats stop running television commercials referring to "DoleGingrich."
But paradoxically, the resignation of the combative former general from the Government a week ago might make such negotiations more likely.