He's probably selling the stock this year. A lot of people are selling appreciated capital assets now in advance of the next Congress. Many financial advisors are recommending taking any possible capital gains this year while the federal capital gains tax rates are low. That's because they expect the capital gains tax rates to go up regardless of who wins the presidency although I suppose the general consensus is that the rates will increase more with Obama or Clinton.

I think the last capital gains tax rate was changed retroactively so doing it this year is probably the most prudent course.