[Torie]

No, Bush has said what he thinks. It is up to the GOP caucus to decide what to do about Lott (Bush might chat privately with some senators one on one who wish to seek his counsel perhaps). If they decide to dump him as ML, then Bush can invite Lott to the ranch to attempt to deflect him from carrying out his blackmail, and resign from the Senate, if in fact that is what Lott is doing, and he persists, about which we hear conflicting stories. For Bush to publically dictate who should be ML is indecorous, insensitive to the structure of the separation of powers, and might backfire over the long term.

[Sabertooth]

It is up to the GOP caucus to decide what to do about Lott (Bush might chat privately with some senators one on one who wish to seek his counsel perhaps). If they decide to dump him as ML, then Bush can invite Lott to the ranch to attempt to deflect him from carrying out his blackmail, and resign from the Senate, if in fact that is what Lott is doing, and he persists, about which we hear conflicting stories. For Bush to publically dictate who should be ML is indecorous, insensitive to the structure of the separation of powers, and might backfire over the long term.

Your scenario is fine with me.

BTW, I wasn't intending that Bush ought to publicly dictate anything, I should have made it clear that it ought to be a private conversation. Perhaps that's not possible in Crawford, but I intended that invitation be made in the interests of graciousness, diplomacy, and hospitality. However, as I said, I'm sure there are more artful ways of going about what I was outlining.

[ApesForEvolution]

Well said. This whole thing gets worse, one way (future RAT-loving by the Lott) or the other (Lott being Lott).