[twyn1]

How do you figure we lose the Senate if Lott stays ? If the Democrats keep pushing this, we have ammunition to throw at them (Byrd and the "white ni**er" remark). I do think Lott should consider stepping down as Majority leader, but I don't see how he can do this without looking like he is conceding the "racist" point. The "race card" has been played over and over against the Republicans, "dragging death" commercials, black churches burning, etc. There is an unfair & untrue "racist" smear against Republicans -- which the media does nothing to rectify. Why wasn't Byrd dragged through the press after his remark ? Why hasn't CNN and Chris Matthews played the tape of Roger Clinton using the "N" word repeatedly ? We can't win either way -- if Lott goes on TV screaming that he's being unfairly treated and that he's not a racist, it will drag this debacle out -- it's like trying to prove that you don't beat your wife. Daschle gave Lott a "pass" at first, because he knows the "racist" charge can't stand. There is NOTHING in Lott's record or behavior to indicate that he is a racist - he's dumb YES, but that's not the same thing

If you can come up with a way for Lott to step down as Leader without making things worse -- tell me what it is ?

[leadpenny]

Here is what I believe Daschle and all the dems would love to see happen; Lott resigns as ML and stays in the Senate. That way they have someone to demonize all the way to the '04 election. Please see my comment at 209.

[BuddhaBoy]

Trent Lott only makes it easier for the moderates in the Senate to defect to the Democrats. Especially McCain and Chaffee.

The media is never going to go after racist comments by Democrats, so get over it. This is a no-win situation. The point is that TRENT LOTT is responsible for this situation, and regardless of the political ramifications, the Republicans have to have new leadership.

You cannot have a lightning-rod as leader, which is why the party got rid of Gingrich.

[Redbob]

Don't quite know how to break this to you, but Roger Clinton has not been elected to any federal office, and as far as I'm concerned he's free to use whatever racial slurs pop into that little pea brain of his.

Let's focus on what elected folks do and say.

[Dan Day]

If the Democrats keep pushing this, we have ammunition to throw at them (Byrd and the "white ni**er" remark).

...which will be perceived as us saying, "so what if we're racist, so are the Democrats"...

Brilliant, just brilliant.

It would be a repeat of Clinton's "everybody does it" defense.

Rather, we should replace Lott so that we're making the statement, "we won't tolerate racism or the appearance of racism, even if the Democrats do..." *Then* we would have the moral high ground to fire cannons at Byrd and the rest.