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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.

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.