Lott's Office says "can't" (meaning won't) take committee chairs till January. Lott office called

Lott's office | November/January Majority

[BJungNan]

Official word from Trent Lott's office - maybe you all knew this already. The Republican leadership has made a decision that they will not take control of committee chairmanships until after the lame duck session, even if Talent is confirmed giving the Republicans Majority status next week as expected.

At first the person in Lott's office that I spoke to said they "can't" take the committee chairmanships until January. I pressed her on the meaning of can't, and she said that actually they could take the chairmanships but that a decision has been made by the Republican leadership not to.

They will wait until after the Lame-Duck session of Congress is completed.

If there is any speculation on this, it would seem to be confirmed. My apology if I am way behind on this issue, I just found the reply so shocking.

[day10]

LOTT MUST GO!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Trent Lott is a bumbling fool. Why would ANYONE make a deal with the enemy that benefits only the enemy unless he was an idiot or a coward? I'll bet Lott is French because his kneejerk response to any confrontation is to surrender.

[PhiKapMom]

Do you realize that Republicans do not control the Senate because:

1. Talent has not be certified by the State of Missouri so Carnahan is still their Senator.

2. The Indy appointed by Ventura from Minnesota is caucusing with no one.

Because of the above Lott has absolutely no control over the Senate. Just because the election is over and Republicans won control, it doesn't mean it is immediate. The Republicans take control in January!!!!!

At least when you decide to criticize Lott, do it for something he has done that is legit not something he has no control over.

[AntiGuv]

What difference does it make? What are they going to do in a week or two of the special session that they can't do in January?? If they're not bothering to reshuffle the Senate now it's likely because it's not worth the bother.

[D. Miles]

Well, according to Lott on FOX this morning, he hopes the session will be over and they can go home before Talent gets there! Being gracious in winning is one thing, making deals and concessions before the dye was even cast is another.

If someone were to ask me, time to look for new senate leadership, I prefer someone with teeth, not a go along get along fellow.

[Lil'freeper]

Lott puts the LAME in lame duck.

[AntiGuv]

Oh, get a grip...

[Drango]

Technically after Talent is seated, yes the Republicans will have enough votes to select the committee chairs. However, its unlikly the Senate will be in session.

If they are, I suspect the matter may be forced...till now it's moot, moot, moot.

[katykelly]

Thank you for being a voice of reason.

[navigator]

The Democrats are already accusing the Republicans...yes, the Republicans of STALLING legislation and holding everything over to next year.

This charge was made in the House this morning during one minute speeches.

Of course, we all know that it was Tom Daschle and the Senate Democrats who stopped the passage of every bill that dared cross their desks including the budget this past year, but now that Trent "Punching Bag" Lott is "in charge" and already outflanked it's the R's who are getting and taking all the blame.

[One_who_hopes_to_know]

"...even if Talent is confirmed giving the Republicans Majority status next week as expected"

If you are going to criticize someone who has posted, at least have the forethought to read what was posted before blindly shooting from the hip.

[kellynla]

Does criticizing Lott for incompetence and lack of backbone count?

[el_texicano]

Lott is a toad. A scum sucking, pussy-footin toad. This man does more to derail and obstruct the conservative agenda than any DemonRAT on the floor. You're right...Lott must be French.

What can anybody do to build a fire under this "FUBAR" senator???

[nightdriver]

"I pressed her on the meaning of can't, and she said that actually they could take the chairmanships but that a decision has been made by the Republican leadership not to."

It's true they can't until they have a majority and they don't have a majority until Talent is confirmed by Missouri officials who haven't done that yet. By the time they get all their committees settled out, the lame duck session would probably be over anyway.

not making excuses for them, 'cause I'm just as anxious as anyone for the republicans to get going, just giving the possible reasons.

[jwalsh07]

I like you alot PKM but I don't like Trent Lott. Left to his own devices he would manage to find a toruous route right back to power sharing. Thank goodness Bush stiffens his collapsible spine.

Bill Frist would be a much better choice.

[navigator]

Senator Talent is expected to give the Republicans the balance of power during the lameduck session.

[AnneJustice4all]

Aside from any Lott bashing (which seems to always be the case!), the GOP leaders are not the winner-take-all, combative types their Democrat counterparts appear to be. If they choose not to push the chairmanships at this time, for whatever reason, I hope they, at least, learned something from their "power-sharing" in the past and don't repeat the mistake-if they fall for that again, God help us all!

[Wphile]

It has been reported that the governor of Missouri may wait up to 4 weeks to certify Talent. That puts it into December and of course, we all know, that our Senators need lots of vacation time! Wouldn't expect them to WORK for that taxpayer funded salary.

What disgusts me most is how they ALL seem to want to get out of town early! Let's see...they had an Easter break of about 3 weeks, a month long break in August, a 3 week break in October (for campaigning), and now they want another 6 week break. Boy, those Senators work hard!

[GraniteStateConservative]

The Dems already know that they are losers. They are already letting Thurmond live to see Judge Shedd become confirmed (and have Thurmond vote to confirm if he's still up to it) and they are confirming another judge.


This is all silliness. We can do whatever we want (excepting filibusters that may occur) in January.