[ToddT]

Nah, i have a very cynical take on this. Given the perodic discussion as to whether pluto is a planet or not, and now the discovery of other objects almost as big, the ones pushing for planet status of the planets and ensuring pluto's status, or looking make a name for themselves to find other planets in the solar system, which is more glamorous, finding a large rock or a small planet. From what i remember, if pluto had been found several years later it would most likely not have been classified as a planet.
pluto was found while ppl where looking for a 9th planet that had been mathmatically calculated to exist, when it was found it was for smaller than expected, hence part of the reason to found the everelusive tenth planet. I think that was before they new the exist of the ort cloaud and kiper belt.