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If anyone was following yesterday's discussion about the Senate Republican Conference rules and Lott's election to Floor Leader, last night Utah Girl posted some press extracts that show how Lott engineered an early election, as opposed to the usual practice of waiting until a new Congress. Her post is here.

We're still wondering if Lott's calling for an election required unanimous consent, or whatever. For example, the Conference "agenda" is adopted by a 3/4 vote (which must have made Jeffords feel lonely). By the Conference Rules:

The Chairman may call a Conference at any time and shall call a Conference whenever requested to do so by the Policy Committee or in writing by 5 or more Senators. The Policy Committee shall meet at least once in 2 weeks, on a fixed day of the week and at a fixed hour to be determined by the Committee. It may meet at any time on the call of its Chairman. The Committee shall permit any Senator to appear before it upon his request to present any matter in which he is interested.

Lott's election took place on Nov. 13, and it was unopposed. Herein we see how the powers of the Majority Leader work: Lott called for the early Conference in order to undercut any opposition, i.e. Don Nickles (speaking of unfortunate names...), which thereby didn't have time to get itself together. This also means that Lott was worried about it. It cuts both ways. As a practice in the Senate at large, this type of scheduling game molds legislation.

We're still trying to figure out if in the Jan. 6 Conference that has been asked for already, and which rules state can be called by 5 Senators, it will require unanimous consent to call for a new election of floor leader (or a "confidence vote" of the standing floor leader). If it does, then Lott can oppose it all by himself. The Conference is already schedule to meet Jan. 7, the first day of the new Congress, I believe, to elect certain other officers.

Just to clarify, the "chairman" or "floor leader" of a caucus is either "majority" or "minority" leader in the Senate, depending on that caucus' standing. The floor leader's job is to channel caucus goals into legislation.

Here for Senate.gov description of floor leaders.

Here for Senate Republican Conference Rules

I've been following all of these posts, and they have been very helpful to my understanding of the situation.

I have a question for discussion. Last week, a local liberal talk-radio show jock, was discussing the "up-coming" election for Republican Senate ML (with a lot of dis-information I might add.) He framed the discussion as in a local context, in terms of Senator Bond's 2004 race. He said that Bond won his last race with about 43% of the African-American vote, (a fact I'd like to see backed up, but I digress....) And that IF Senator Bond voted for Lott as ML, what would that do to his chances in 2004?

Now, from what I've read on FR, this vote is held behind closed doors. Does it become common knowledge how each Senator votes for the leadership position? Should it?

Good work. Now I have some reading material! Homework time. ;^

The Chairman may call a Conference at any time and shall call a Conference whenever requested to do so by the Policy Committee or in writing by 5 or more Senators.

As I read this sentence, it means Lott has the authority to call a Conference wherever and whenever he feels like it. It also says IF 5 members request a Conference in writing he MUST call a Conference.

The 5 signature rule prevents a Leader from sandbagging if he fears the worst.

Going now to read the Conference Rules.

Well, having read the Conference Rules, it appears to me that Lott may be playing fast and loose with the rules of the Conference.

At the beginning of each Congress, or within one week thereafter, a Republican Party Conference shall be held. At that Conference there should be elected the following officers: Floor Leader Assistant Floor Leader Chairman of the Conference Vice Chairman of the Conference Chairman of the Policy Committee Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

Since there appears to be no mention of WHEN Leadership votes CANNOT be taken, the November Leadership election wasn't in violation of Conference Rules.

What none of us know, is what type of agreement was made or vote taken as to whether or not the November Leadership election was binding into the next Conference. All they needed to do was, 'vote to suspend the rules'.

IF during the nomination of Senator Lott, the person nominating him said, "Mr. Chair, I move to suspend the rules and nominate Trent Lott as Majority Leader of the next Congress" then another election is probably not necessary.

However, given the recent brush up: Even if Lott has the votes to stay in his post, he may choose to hold a vote of confidence vote in January, just to prove his point.

(Going back to read further and see what exceptions to my above theory I can find,,,,, and it's no wonder I never get anything done when I'm at home, I get into this stuff and can't let it go)

Sorry folks, I'm getting wires crossed again. From my #53, the "Chairman" of the Conference Committee is distinct from the "Floor Leader."

Lott is "Floor Leader." The position is also called "Republican Leader."

Santorum is "Conference Chairman."

K.B. Hutchinson is "Vice Chairman." (That's "Chairperson" to the idiots across the isle)

This means that the "Chairman" can call Conferences, not the "Floor Leader." Shall we ask the Hon. Santorum about all this?

I am pinging deport to this thread because he specifically wanted this information.

deport, be sure you check all the links. I believe there was some discussion on yesterday's thread as well, but this should give you most of what you are looking for.

We are still not certain if it requires a unanimous vote to call for a new election, but it is quite obvious that the meeting can be called by 5 members.