Though I've never been an elder (thank God), I was raised by one and know several. It has been my observation that there is a tremendous amount of politics on bodies of elders. This is probably not a news flash to most of you.
There is a saying that "academic politics are so bitter because the stakes are so low." This is sometimes referred to as Sayre's Law (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayre's_Law). I think this could apply to elder bodies as well.
Think about it, most bodies are made up of working-class middle-aged guys who have little "power" out in the real world. But in the congregation, it's different--they have positions of authority and power. So, if anyone or anything is perceived to threaten this position, things can get ugly in a hurry. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, the stakes are tremendously low...but that's why elder body politics are so bitter.
NOTICE THE SHARKS CIRCLING SNAKES LOL