Andrew Sullivan needs to understand that there is more than one way to skin a cat. For Lott to leave now would simply open up a fratricidal leadership contest within the Party.
Wait until Spring or early Summer. Then Trent goes. Just before the dog days. Or, better yet, you might want him to go in early Spring before Reconciliation bills come to the floor.
There's no reason for Trent to go now. Just put the word out to the other contestants (Frist, Nickles, McConnel, and Santorum) to keep their powder dry for mid-Spring and allow Trent to make his peace with the Civil Rights community, then step down as ML in the late Spring-before Reconciliation.
ONLY THEN DO YOU BRING PICKERING BACK TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, ONLY AFTER TRENT HAS DONE ABSOLUTION, PENANCE, AND HAS STEPPED DOWN.
Sympathy among his colleagues will be high. Pickering should get through with no problem, unless McCain pulls some of his usual bullshit.
Be Seeing You,
Chris