1. A method for taking over services by a sub-cluster of a clustered computing system from one or more other sub-clusters of the clustered computing system after the one or more other sub-clusters have been shutdown, said method comprising: (a) attempting to determine whether a sub-cluster of the clustered computing system is to remain active; (b) initiating shutdown of the sub-cluster when said attempting (a) does not determine within a first predetermined amount of time that the sub-cluster is to remain active; (c) delaying for a second predetermined amount of time after the first predetermined amount of time expires when said attempting (a) determines within the first predetermined amount of time that the sub-cluster is to remain active; and (d) taking over services of one or more other sub-clusters of the clustered computing system after said delaying (c) for the second predetermined amount of time.