Good points.
But, as I understand it, being over 80 he doesn't have a vote on the next Pope. There's no doubt that his being able to set the agenda and pick the cardinals for so long gave him power and sets the agenda going forward. But I think it's mainly set in motion now and out of his hands. Presumably the people he elevated, and the ones he helped elevate under JP2, have their own agenda even if they agreed with him.
But who knows. :-)
Cheers,
Scott.
(Who hopes the election spectacle doesn't get the wall-to-wall coverage for days on end the way his resignation did, but who isn't betting against it...)