I thought about Trump this week, a texter pointed out the similarity between Trump refusing to go, and Invercargill's Mayor Tim Shadbolt refusing to go, and it got me thinking about why some people refuse to accept it's over.

I mean they must know in their heart of hearts, so they're just choosing to fight, but why? To what end?

Trump this week has finally admitted the writing is on the wall, by allowing transition to occur.

But not before time, and he says he['s still pursuing legal avenues in court to contest his election defeat.

But there is an art to going gracefully and I can't help thinking it's an own goal when you don't do it.

As one US Republican senator pointed out, 'in public life, you are remembered for the last thing you do'.

Which is where I worry about Tim Shadbolt too. His legacy of public office could be so heart warming and positive, so in the final chapter, why risk tainting it?

Trump's inability to put his country before his own selfish pursuits has been particularly jarring given how many administrations before him have done just that. Surely no one would be more aggrieved than Obama after Hilary Clinton's loss and having to make way in the White House for the Trumps, yet he did that with good grace.

But even now, in the midst of transitioning from the Trump to the Biden team, Trump's still in denial.

He doesn't have to concede of course, that's not a prerequisite for Biden being sworn in.

And it's hard to see now that Trump ever will actually concede. Not while he's still pledging to 'keep up the good fight' regards his claims of corruption and election fraud.

Trump's legal challenges will presumably die away as most of them already have - without merit, and without foundation.

And it seems such a sad way to go - albeit his followers will see it as principled and right, there is something to be said for being gracious in defeat. I guess if you can't even acknowledge or accept that defeat though, there's no room to be gracious.

It smacks of a one eyed lust for power, over and above any desire to serve. Serving the people is what President's are supposed to do - but it's hard to view Trump's presidency as anything other than him serving himself.

So the big question is where to from here? I can't imagine Republicans will stomach another run for Trump in 2024.. despite his support base of 70 million Americans.. but then again, I wouldn't rule it out either.

As for Mayor Tim Shadbolt, hopefully someone can get to him sooner rather than later, to salvage what's left of his legacy.