Some Say Lott Apology Should End Uproar

newsday.com ^ | Dec. 14, 2002 | Associated Press

[FairOpinion]

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Trent Lott's latest apology for racially charged remarks should suffice, the Senate's incoming No. 2 Republican leader said Saturday, vowing that a move for formal censure would produce a swift counter-attack against a prominent Democrat.

"The first amendment (to a censure motion) that would be offered would be an amendment relating to Sen. (Robert) Byrd's comments in 2001," said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

"I think he has to ride it out. Leaders take a lot of heat," former Sen. Bob Dole, Lott's predecessor as Senate GOP leader, said in an interview Saturday.

[FairOpinion]

Seems like the Republicans are finally starting to figure it out that the attack on Lott is nothing but a political play and are fighting back. Note Dole's comments, I think it's right on. Then there is Hillary...

[MAKnight]

"The first amendment (to a censure motion) that would be offered would be an amendment relating to Sen. (Robert) Byrd's comments in 2001," said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Ladies & Gentlemen, we finally have a Republican with in-your-face balls (bad imagery, I know) in the Senate Leadership! Hallelujah!!

[CindyDawg]

Why does he keep doing this? One sincere apology is enough. He needs to let this go. CD

[shiva]

Hillary......... shut up!!!!

[tango7799]

I just want to add one thing, especially to you freepers who think Lott should stay. It is not so much that Lott should resign as majority leader for what he is or is not, rather he should resign for what he's become--a burden to our party.

The most recent election demonstrated how the GOP could do well among hispanics. Look at the numbers for Jeb Bush and Rick Perry. They're incredible. I refuse to believe that this could not apply to blacks. It is this increasing political reality, and the efforts of so many (lead by our great President) in the party to work toward this effort, that makes our goal of a truly equal opportunity society so achievable (the end of affirmative action, a color-blind society, school choice, etc.).

Lott's mouth has helped undermine this effort, and now I'm absolutely disgusted by him. Remember, unlike the Dems, we actually have higher standards for our leaders. The very idea that now Liberals will be even more mobilized to beat fine judges, like Pickering of Mississippi and Owens of Texas, further incenses me, because we may very well lose these nominations. Either Lott is politically stupid or racist; in either case, he is a huge burden, and therefore should resign.

[per loin]

How can anyone trust a party that repeatedly elected such a man to a leadership position?

[ultima ratio]

Clinton taught everybody who followed how to ride out a storm. Lott should stay put. To quit now would be worse than riding it out. I'm no fan of his, but he can be removed later, after 2004. What we need now in the Senate is stability for a while to get some key issues passed and some judges confirmed.

[tango7799]

I think you've created a straw man argument. Sure, Lott has been repeatedly elected, but that is on the basis of his record prior to his comments at Thurmond's b-day party. After all, he's already used his "apology" card more than just a couple times in recent years. However, this most recent incident is the essential difference.

The Republican party must ask itself: How can the American people continue to trust us if we keep him as Majority Leader? Now, the stakes are higher than ever before. We risk losing that trust in future elections, if we do keep him. Of course, thank god we have President Bush to serve as the face of the party. But Lott does not serve an insignificant role. He is a prominent Republican leader. If Bush is trying to reach out to minorities on one hand, and Lott stays as Majority Leader on the other, then our political presentation is mixed, to the point that blacks and other minorities won't be enthused enough to make the giant leap to the Republican party.

[Eva]

What did Hillary say about Lott? Lani Guiniere quoted Bill Clinton as saying something close to, We wouldn't be having all these problems if we had won the war. That's a whole lot worse than Lott.

[Sabertooth]

I say, "I want a pizza."

[Texasforever]

We risk losing that trust in future elections, if we do keep him.

Yep if we can dump that racist Lott the republicans will get 5% instead of 3% of the black vote. This will be the one that finally convinces blacks to abandon the democrats but if not, the next sacrifice will be the one that makes the difference or the next one. Don’t worry Lott is gone and all is well.

[bybybill]

Rush sked this question: What is worst, being a racist or falsely accusing some body of being a racist?

[TLBSHOW]

Its over, Lott stays!

[prognostigaator]

Lott stays...

So has Clinton...

And stays
and stays
and stays...

[Jhoffa_]

"The first amendment (to a censure motion) that would be offered would be an amendment relating to Sen. (Robert) Byrd's comments in 2001,"

BWAHAHAHHA!!

That would be great.

I can just hear Byrd hissing about the unfairness of it all now.

[ex-Texan]

To: Kay Soze

A Strong Argument that "Lott Must Go !" by the National Review -- Check FR Post

*** [Lott] can only be a drag **** But it is possible for someone simultaneously to suffer unfair attacks, handle himself and his predicament poorly, and be an underwhelming political figure. Trent Lott has managed a trifecta ***

Wonder if that 'drag' comment was intended as I suspect it was? LOL LOL LOL ..... Oh, well, typical whispered D.C. rumors..... Lott is the ultimate embarassment. Trent Lott's Theme Song ought to be:

"I'm too stupid for my shirt ... Too stupid for my shirt .... I'm Stupid ..."

Lott's unpardonable sin is the he is a huge liability to the Republican Party, too Big a Liability ! ... Gore was getting huge laughs 'Playing Lott on Saturday Night Live' tonight .........

GWB must tell him to resign as Majority Leader!

[over3Owithabrain]

Great question! Fact is the GOP is now paying the piper for letting such a dolt be their Senate leader for so long. I don't think the problem lies with all or most Repubs though, it's the good ol' boy network (on both sides) that exists in the Senate. Lott is one of their country clubbers who brings the pork home and cuts good back-room deals with the other elites. Has little to do with ideology or principle.

[Samizdat]

Clinton taught everybody who followed how to ride out a storm.

Follow clinton's lead? I don't think so. We are better than that. Lott isn't, apparently.

[LS]

You nailed it. The problem is that we allowed a boob to be elevated to such power. He will not step down as Maj. leader, and told Bush he would resign, giving the Senate seat to a Dem. Gov. appointee in Miss. (Back to 50/50). So he stays, and I think the episode is pretty well put to rest. He is going to do an interview on BET tomorrow, and if he isn't a total dunce, that should do it.

In a sense, the multiple apologies have let him talk this to death---exactly the opposite tactic that many here suggested.

[FairOpinion]

ultima ratio: "Clinton taught everybody who followed how to ride out a storm. Lott should stay put. To quit now would be worse than riding it out. I'm no fan of his, but he can be removed later, after 2004. What we need now in the Senate is stability for a while to get some key issues passed and some judges confirmed. "

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Ah, the voice of reason! If everyone would realize the truth and reason in what you said.