McConnell Threatens Censure For Byrd's 'N'-word Outburst

NewsMax ^ | December 15, 2002 | Staff

[Bubba_Leroy]

If Democrats insist on passing a resolution censuring Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott for praising the 1948 presidential candidacy of one-time segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond, Republicans will offer an amendment censuring West Virginia Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd for using a racist epithet during a TV interview last year, a top Senate Republican said Sunday.

"Any such resolution [censuring Lott) would be fully amendable and amendments would be offered based on statements by other members in the other party in the body in recent years," Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell told ABC's "This Week."

Sounding taken aback by the warning to Democrats, "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos asked McConnell, "When you say amendments would be offered, what are you talking about?"

The Kentucky Republican explained, "There are other members of the Senate who, as you know, have engaged in similar kinds of statements, big mistakes, in recent years and have apologized. Interestingly enough, the apologies have been accepted and we've moved on from that."

Asked whether he was referring to specifically to Sen. Byrd's outburst during a March 4, 2001 "Fox News Sunday" interview, where the one-time Ku Klux Klan member referred twice to "white niggers," McConnell suggested that Byrd would be just one of several Democrats who would be targeted for racial censure.

"There were several, actually, Senators on the other side of the aisle who uttered similar comments, apologized for them and they were accepted. And I think such an amendment would likely be offered, yes," the top Republican said.

"If we're going to go down that path," continued McConnell, "there will be amendments offered and we'll have to look at statements others have made in the Senate on a similar subject."

[Bubba_Leroy]

Finally a little Republican back bone.

[neutrino]

Great news!

[Kerberos]

This could get interesting.

[Illbay]

Point of order, Sen. McConnell! Can we get "REVEREND" Jackson's "Hymietown" remark on record, too, just for completeness?

[The Wizard]

Mitch for leader (:>)

[Paleo Conservative]

McConnell should add a censure of Ted Kennedy for his actions (inactions?) at Chappaquidick.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I like to see some hardball being played. This should shut the dimbulbs up about censuring Lott.

[Jorge]

HA HA

[NYS_Eric]

AWESOME! McConnell's always had a pair.

By the way, I wonder what Democratic Senators he's hinting at besides Byrd? I'm trying to think of others that had unfortunate slips of the tongue in recent years.

[katze]

Yes it could. But what if Lott goes Dem, Chaffee goes Dem; then what? Well, I guess healthcare for all, if Frist is the new Minority Leader.

Better to wait until the hysteria dies down, then make rational decisions.

[Walkin Man]

I second that motion!

Hey I wonder if Byrd will wear his bedsheets on the senate floor? He could always burn a cross on the steps of Congress, I bet the members of the black caucas would help their fellow democrat!

[Kerberos]

"Yes it could. But what if Lott goes Dem"

What makes you think that Lott might go Dem?

[Paleo Conservative]

Point of order, Sen. McConnell! Can we get "REVEREND" Jackson's "Hymietown" remark on record, too, just for completeness?

The "reverend" is not a senator (fortunately). Any censure would only be in regard to current senators.

[Illbay]

Hey, wait, I thought he had appointed himself sort of a "shadow Senator" from D.C.

[Ahban]

Yes, they show backbone only when it is them or their buddies caboose on the line. When it comes to defending the conservative agenda they fold like a lawn chair. When it comes to defending their personal interests, or those of their friends, they fight like wildcats.

[katze]

I'll answer with another question. Do you think Lott will go down easily? He was a Democrat long ago, and he'd be assured a good spot with the Dems.

[Constitution Day]

Hell yeah! McConnell's got cojones!

[PISANO]

It is about time! Someone with a backbone, who does NOT want to play nice nice.

[Rocko]

"If we're going to go down that path," continued McConnell, "there will be amendments offered and we'll have to look at statements others have made in the Senate on a similar subject."

Love it.

[fhayek]

Well, who could forget the junior senator from New York who once called one of her consultants a F***ing Jew B****ard? Of course, she wasn't a senator at the time, and she never apologized.