It's an exploration so I was throwing "downgrading" out there. You almost guessed it all with portability and bringing on new programmers. Both arguments for that technique. Another, esp if compiler is written in an ML, is that code used to analyze, optimize, or translate lower layers of language can be re-used in compiler for high-level.

Matter of fact, I think my default was to go to ASM with plugins for other stuff. That should prevent missed opportunities in optimization.