Reply #1: Crane had developed a very public alcohol problem, compounded by

[Gidney N Cloyd]

an increasingly standoff-ish relationship with his constituents. His congressional career was on a downward arc since the mid-80's and he got tarred by a sex scandal that actually only involved his brother Dan. People were tired of him. Had he retired and let another rethug candidate run against Bean, I doubt Bean would have won.