It's about a lot more than Lott

TownHall.com ^ | 12/19/02 | David Limbaugh

[kattracks]

The ever-escalating Lott imbroglio has very little to do with Senator Lott anymore and everything to do with demonizing Republicans as a class.

As for Lott, the immediate question is whether he had racism in his heart when he suggested the country would have been better off had Senator Thurmond been elected president in 1948. Did he commit an unforgivable racial slur or just use sloppy words with no malice intended while caught up in the spirit of honoring Senator Thurmond at his 100th birthday party?

If he meant the former, then he should resign his Senate leadership position. Period. But if he truly wasn't lamenting the demise of segregation and just chose poor words, wouldn't his forced resignation be a pretty harsh penalty?

People point to a similar statement Lott made in the eighties to prove that he must have intended a racial slur, but I'm skeptical. Regardless of my numerous political disagreements with Lott, he strikes me as a decent person who wouldn't harbor such repugnant views. Plus, racism requires a degree of passion. I see no passion in Lott about anything, except, perhaps, retaining the leadership position. And as I survey his tenure in office I don't see a record of racism.

The truth is, none of us knows for sure what is in his heart. But isn't he entitled to the benefit of the doubt? Or does he forfeit that because a) he's a Southerner; b) he's a Republican; c) he's a Southern-Republican; d) the nature of the charge is so severe that his state of mind doesn't matter; e) certain conservatives want to use this opportunity to throw him overboard because he hasn't been conservative enough; f) certain Republicans want to ditch him to prove they are not racists or g) certain Democrats want to exploit the situation to regain ground they lost in the midterm elections?

Please don't analogize me to the Clinton defenders who knew Clinton was guilty but defended him purely because they had contempt for his accusers and wanted to keep him in power. In fact, I am not defending Lott per se. I'm just saying I don't know for sure whether he's guilty of the charge, and neither does anyone else, except Lott himself.

But this doesn't have much to do with Lott anymore. All you have to do is read the liberal editorials or listen to the words of the spokesmen for the Black Congressional Caucus and the National Organization for Women. They are convicting Lott not for his words, but for his political affiliation and his domicile. They cite the Republicans' "southern strategy" of using "code words" appealing to racism to win southern votes.

The New York Times Bob Herbert wrote, "But Mr. Lott is not the only culprit here. The Republican Party has become a haven for white racist attitudes and anti-black policies. The party of Lincoln is now a safe house for bigotry." There are many other editorials in the same vein.

To them it doesn't matter if Lott meant his remarks maliciously. He's a Republican. And Republicans are racists because they oppose affirmative action and the proliferation of the welfare state, etc. Case closed. One's individual behavior is irrelevant; it's his policy preferences that matter. (Never mind that in fact conservative policies are much more egalitarian and colorblind than liberal ones).

A person can be completely free of racism in his heart and still be a racist pig, according to some, if he advocates, for example, across-the-board tax cuts. Conversely, a complete racist scumbag, if he happens to be a liberal, will likely be given a pass on his racism.

Such is the insanity of the age of collective judgments rather than personal responsibility. How ironic! We rightly condemn racism, because, among other things, it devalues the worth of individuals on the basis of a categorical judgment about their group (race). Yet many categorically adjudge Republicans as racists because of their membership in a group.

I'm all for dumping Lott if he meant his remarks as racist. I'm even for replacing him at some point because he's not conservative enough. But let's not confuse the two.

Those conservatives who think Republicans are going to end this by making Lott a sacrificial lamb have another think coming. By discarding Lott without satisfying themselves of his culpability, Republicans not only will not be cleansing themselves in the minds of their accusers. They will be abetting the cause of tainting the entire Republican Party by allowing Lott's guilt to be established largely by association (with Republicans).

Eventually Republicans are going to have to deal with these incessant, outrageous allegations that they are racists. And getting rid of Lott isn't dealing with them.

©2002 Creators Syndicate, Inc.

Contact David Limbaugh | Read his biography

[Fred Mertz]

Getting rid of Lott will improve race relations. Just ask Maxine. [/sarcasm]

[over3Owithabrain]

Well I see Rush-bro wants the ol' boy to continue being a drag on the party. He can't even bring himself to emphatically state that Lott is not a racist, just that he doesn't think so and we can't tell for sure the meaning of Lott's words. Never does he address, just like all the misguided Lott hangers-on, the fact that being an idiot for starting a major imbroglio, handling it horribly, and giving away the GOP agenda to save ass is reason enough to dump Lott as ML.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" "How can they jump on him when they're out there repressing, trying to run black voters away from the polls and running under the Confederate flag in Georgia and South Carolina?" Clinton said Wednesday in New York. "I mean, look at their whole record. He just embarrassed them by saying in Washington what they do on the backroads every day."

What exactly is it,that Bill Clinton thinks Republicans do every day on the back roads? Lynch blacks? Drag blacks? I demand an apology on behalf of all Republicans!!

[Txslady]

David Limbaugh has said it well!

[what's up]

Eventually Republicans are going to have to deal with these incessant, outrageous allegations that they are racists

True...I think it's time to say enough is enough.

If Lott is dumped they will attack the next leader the next time he makes a comment which can be twisted to to their advantage.

It will never end.

[jwalsh07]

He's been reading my posts but he didn't get to the post groveling one's yet.

Having said that, the odds of TL remaining RML have gone up considerably for several reasons.

John Lewis in what I believe to be an honest show of Christianity believes in redemption.

Second, other democrats with more insidious poltical calculations have decided to hop on board with Congressman Lewis.

Third, McConnell stood tall and made it clear that this would not be a one way street.

Fourth, Lott has somehow and from somewhere found the courage to just say NO.

And fifth, the republican senate is rebelling from Karl Rove telling them who the next leader of the senate will be.

So, if I'm right we end up with a weakened majority leader lacking moral authority to carry forward the conservative agenda. That's the bad part.

But perhaps America will finally have the courage to debate the race issue openly. On that I am less hopeful based on what I have seen here. Even here on an anonymous forum a frank and open discussion is verboten.

[Mr_Magoo]

There is one way to end it.

For every Republican attacked, we must attack 2 rats just as hard.

[Once-Ler]

Lott has not handled this poorly.
In fact he has been masterful.

He has made it impossible for anyone to remove him by calling for SML elections 3 weeks ago during the special session.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20021218-32792676.htm

He has allowed Republicans to beat the heck out of him to provide political cover for the party, even though he knew he could not be removed.

He is now the repentant Majority Leader who evokes sympathy from Rep. John Lewis, and Bush is the President who rebuked racism and promoted Powell and Rice (Affirmative Action.)

The stain of racism, that has surrounded the Republican party is now a national debate. Rush, Hannity, and Fox news are talking about the never punished racism of the Dems...Lott's looking like a pretty good guy for taking his lumps when Byrd and Jackson got a free ride.

When Bush signs school vouchers and conservative black judges sail through the senate it will be the reformed Lott who the news media will comment on.

The fact that you don't see this now gives me little hope your eyes will be open next year, but there will be many who will have to eat their words...and soon.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

Carville appeared as a special guest on CrossFire tonight where he read the text of a letter he has written to Trent.

" CARLSON: James, thanks for joining us on your own set. Yes, well it -- now, it's not that your viewers don't love you, but I would bet at least 50 percent don't believe you. You've come to make a kind of peace with Trent Lott. Sum it up from portions...

JAMES CARVILLE, HOST, CROSSFIRE: I'll read you two paragraphs just to give you a sense. "You've asked for forgiveness. This letter is to inform you that, on the heels of a statement by my dear friend, Congressman John Lewis, a man I admire and respect as much as any living American, I do forgive you."

"As a result of that forgiveness, I will never criticize or attack any of your past actions or remarks concerning matters of race relations or civil rights. Remember Senator, we all make errors. Committing errors is not a tragedy, but failing to learn from them is a great one."

"You say you've learned, I believe you. That settles it."

CARLSON: Now I don't -- let me just -- a quick follow-up here. I'm speaking again for the people watching at home who are thinking, well, this is part of an elaborate strategy to keep Trent Lott thing there to benefit the Democrats.

CARVILLE: That's because Larry Craig and Mike Emsey (ph) are just waiting with baited breath to see what James Carville said. If anything, I probably hurt Trent Lott by saying this. The more I attack him, I would suspect the more Republican senators I would drive in his corner.

This is part of a real simple strategy that John Lewis woke me up. And ever since I was in a child in the Catholic Church, we were taught that Hitler and Stalin themselves on their death bed, that if they sought forgiveness that it would be granted to them. And John said -- you know, I said, here I am, the guy has five times asked, it's not up to me to judge. And I will need forgiveness in my life.

And I said, you know what, we did this show and it was you that put up John's letter. I went to dinner with my wife...

CARLSON: John Lewis.

CARVILLE: The congressman from Georgia. I went to dinner with my wife and I came home. And it was put on one of the tables (ph) that the guy was taking a pounding. You know, he's got a wife, he's got kids, he's a human being. And I just said, you know, I'm just -- we know what he did, it was wrong, he said it was wrong.

It's up to the Republicans to do -- that's not in my hands. But if I wanted to ensure him to be majority leader, I would keep attacking him. There's nothing to make those Republican senators, you know, rally around anybody other than me savaging him. I'll guarantee you that."


Now,either Carville has had some kind of conversion of the heart (or could it be guilt?)- he was quite convincing and more stand up,than any Republican I have seen defending Lott or he is worried that the dam has burst and the racial stories about Democrats are starting to flood out.

[over3Owithabrain]

Uhh - ok...

That is great spin though, really. Had me going there for a minute. Lott has been good at trying to save his own ass, Ill give you that, but if you think he is working things out for the good of anyone but himself, keep dreaming.

[over3Owithabrain]

Now,either Carville has had some kind of conversion of the heart (or could it be guilt?)- he was quite convincing and more stand up,than any Republican I have seen defending Lott or he is worried that the dam has burst and the racial stories about Democrats are starting to flood out.

Take a guess which one. The fact is the Dems were blindsided by the fact the GOP repudiated Lott and are willing to go on without him as ML if possible. Do you really think it sincere that Lott was "forgiven" by the libs when and only when he went to their arena (BET), promised them the moon, implicated his voting record, his region, and his party for his own sins, and vowed to fight for their causes? C'mon! What they fear most is Lott not in charge and someone stronger leading the GOP-controlled Senate.

[Post Toasties]

Lott should step down as Republican Majority Leader for the sake of his party. He has tainted himself with his segregationist remarks and he appears to want to spread this taint throughout the Republican Party by obstinately refusing to resign his leadership role, which he has showed himself too politically inept to retain by merit.

[Once-Ler]

I believe Lott as Majority Leader is very much preferable to a 50-50 Senate or complete loss of control. I don't think you are dreaming for thinking you are smarter than Limbaugh, Santorum, or McConnell...I just think you are wrong. I will keep dreaming of a Republican America.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" When Bush signs school vouchers and conservative black judges sail through the senate it will be the reformed Lott who the news media will comment on."

I have been saying something along those same lines. Every word of Lott will now be scrutinized-therefore,send him out to make the speeches on vouchers and other conservative issues.Lott is now going to have the microphone to speak on racial issues and the curiosity factor will be very high- those who originally tune in,to hear a racist speak, will be exposed to conservative ideas. The irony here,is that because of Lott, we may wind up reaching people that have not been open to conservative ideas before.

[nopardons]

You may be over 30 ; however, the rest of your nic is an oxymoron, dear. It is you and those who agree with you, who don't understand any of this mess. David Limbaugh does; so do a few of us, here. Unfortunately, not enough ofg us, here, and that will is the downfall of FR.

[nopardons]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your factual, well reasoned, and well written posts. It's a shock and depressing, to me, that so few FREEPERS have the ability to comprehend this debacle; unlike you.

[Post Toasties]

I suspect that Lott will never live this down. He is, to my knowledge, the only Republican in at least a generation who has been clueless enough to endorse Jim Crow Dixiecrat politics from another era. And he's slated to be Senate Majority Leader!

Aargh!

[over3Owithabrain]

Uh, facts please and not just cheesy screenname-twisting.

I'll take my chances with most here at FR, most respected conservative columnists, President Bush, etc. Perhaps one day we'll all be proven fools, Lott will rule the world and you will be given all honor as the genius you are.

[nopardons]

Great idea re vouchers ! Yes, you have hit upon something there. :-)