Moment of Truth-National Review Asks for Added Clarification of Lott's Remarks to Thurmond

National Review Magazine ^ | Dec. 9, 2002 | David Frum

[ewing]

I cannot help thinking that this story is not over

-That Republicans will hear Sen. Lott's words quoted at them again and again in the coming months.

I for one do not believe Trent Lott is a racist or segregationist.

My guess is a speechwriter gave him note cards with a few jokes, and when Lott finished reading them, he launched himself into what he probably intended to be nothing more than a big squirt of greasy flattery.

But that's not what came out of Lott's mouth.

[ewing]

Will this be a factor in the South for Haley Barbour's upcoming election?

[onedoug]

Everyone holds Republicans to a higher standard. Even democrats.

[ewing]

True, I think this speaks well of the party that Lott is given a chance to say that what he was talking about was Strom's record of hiring the first black staffers in the Senate on the Hill.

[Credo]

Lott is an air head. Thurmond has changed since his 1948 run for the presidency. Thurmond has had a remarkable life and career; however, his segregationist campaign for the presidency, is not something even he would even regard with pride. There were plenty of aspects of Thurmonds life to honor - the 1948 campaign was not one of them.

I'm sorry Lott must go. There are better Senators who can be Majority Leader. We cannot abide someone who hands our political adversaries ammunition.

[Gurn]

Will this be a factor in the South for Haley Barbour's upcoming election?

In a word, no. I don't see race being a factor. Plus, there's a good chance we'll have a black Republican (former Jackson City Councilman Darryl Nealey) running statewide, for Secretary of State.

Haley's campaign will have lots of prominent black conservatives supporting it. That will be more than enough cover to compensate for Trent's off-the-cuff remark.

[ewing]

How about Don Nickels or Brownback for leader?

[BuddhaBoy]

This could work out great for Republicans. I dont really care how or why it happens, but the sooner the GOP gets rid of Trent Lott, the better off they will be.

[ewing]

Thanks for the quick answer.

[thinktwice]

Hopefully, this will force Lott to step down as Senate Majority leader.

[jlogajan]

I for one do not believe Trent Lott is a racist or segregationist.

Maybe, maybe not. What it does show is that Trent Lott is too stupid to be in the Senate -- and that is saying a "lott."

[sinkspur]

How about Don Nickels or Brownback for leader?

Both, given the chance to challenge Lott for Leader, passed.

Like it or not, the Republican Senators want Lott for leader.

[ewing]

When is the vote scheduled for electing Majority Leader?

[isthisnickcool]

This could work out great for Republicans. I dont really care how or why it happens, but the sooner the GOP gets rid of Trent Lott, the better off they will be.

Lott has performed poorly for many years. He should have been replaced a long time ago.

The Dems. would be foolish to make an issue out of Lott's remarks. But let them.

[Credo]

How about Don Nickels or Brownback for leader?

I like Santorum or Sessions. I like Nickels too- he just is not articulate. I don't know about Brownback. Frist has a good head on his shoulders too.

[Recovering_Democrat]

O for Gawd's sakes. He was wishing a century-old guy a happy birthday and got carried away. I cannot believe the amount of crap some people are willing to dish out over some offhand remarks at a birthday party.

Here's some advice for Jesse, Al, and even the "serious" conservatives who are questioning Lott's racial attitudes:

GET A LIFE.

I've questioned many a time whether Lott had any b***s, but never whether he was a racist. Give me a break, as John Stossell would say.

[BikerNYC]

There are better Senators who can be Majority Leader.

So true. It only takes one of them to come forward, but they are too afraid that they might lose the contest and then be punished for even trying.

[aristeides]

I've never had much use for Lott, but, if he is forced out over this issue, that will reinforce the social pressures on all of us to obey tyrannical PC speech codes.

[ewing]

And this is basically the same Senate that could only come up with 50 votes for impeachment on felony obstruction of justice charges..

[babble-on]

still, its a pretty horrendous thing to say, and I can't think of two ways to interpret it.

[sinkspur]

And this is basically the same Senate that could only come up with 50 votes for impeachment on felony obstruction of justice charges..

Not a single Democrat voted for conviction. With 67 votes required, conviction was never going to happen, even with all the Republicans.