[hinckley buzzard]

I don't believe that every center-right Republican in the Senate has been on record recently endorsing 1948-style racism.

Without this incredible blunder now, no one would know or care about Lott's amicus with the Bob Jones case, or what he did as a fratboy, or anything else.

And if the democraps come up with a shady statement by, say, Richard Shelby from thirty years ago, I don't think it will fly very far.

Ifyou remember what happened to Clement Haynesworth (a pre-Bork Borking), you realize that the politics of race have become less virulent over the years, not more; and the people will be more forgiving of ancient transgressions if they believe that those positions have been renounced. Lott's trouble is that he still holds those positions today.
Truth resides in the offhand unguarded comment.

[Texasforever]

I don't believe that every center-right Republican in the Senate has been on record recently endorsing 1948-style racism.

And Lott is not on record supporting it either. There is racism going on here but it is not against blacks.