MISSISSIPPI REPUBLICAN PARTY: "Not even considering that Trent Lott would quit the senate"

Mississippi Republican Party | 12-17-02 | dfu

[doug from upland]

I had a brief conversation with the office of the Mississippi Republican Party. There was great disappointment when they answered my first question: Is there a provision in the Mississippi Constitution for the people to recall the govenor? Answer: Unfortunately not. Well, I guess we can't get a petition drive going to boot out Robert Musgrove so that new GOP Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck could take over. Amy was recently welcomed with open arms as she switched parties.

The next question was whether Trent Lott would leave the Senate if demoted from his position as majority leader. According to communications chairman Michael Goode, the head of the party in Mississippi, Jim Herring, says that "it is not even a consideration."

I don't know whether they know Lott well enough, but they know him better than do we. They are certain that he would stay in the Senate.

[doug from upland]

If Trent Lott wants to take his ball and go home, at least he could wait until Haley Barbour is elected governor of Mississippi in November. Yes, Haley is exploring a run.

[afraidfortherepublic]

All of this talk upsets me mightily. The very idea that Trent would quit his seat if the Republicans elected a different leader is ludicrous and portrays Trent as a childish and venial man. I don't think that he is. After all, not everyone in a group is the leader; and leadership of the group changes over the years. Despite the personal disappointment, I think Trent understands this and I don't think he'd quit -- at least not when control of the Senate is in jeopardy.

[WHBates]

Maybe they can get Gene Taylor to switch as well.

[doug from upland]

Okay. Who is Gene Taylor?

[deport]

I suspect Taylor along with Ronnie Shows and probably Espy are all looking at a possible appointment if Lott does resign.... So on that basis I wouldn't think Taylor would cross....

[dfwgator]

If Lott takes his marbles and goes home, you can bet you've seen the last of any ships built in Mississippi.

[Coop]

Who is Gene Taylor?

A conservative Dem from MS in Congress. One of only a half dozen Dems to impeach the Rapist.

[Excuse_Me]

Then you can blame McConnell for that, since he is the one who started the rumor that Trent would quit the Senate if removed from his ML position. I believe he was trying to quash moves to hold a new election. As far as I know, Lott has not threatened to quit the Senate. He would do well to step down now, since his removal is certain, now that they have called for the conference. There is no way they will confer and announce that they could find no better leader than Trent. So, he could announce that he will step aside from the ML position in exchange for a committee chairmanship, "for the good of the party."

[Green]

Anyone see Bill O'Riley last night? He had former Sen. D'Amato (sp?) and the senator was saying they he fully expected Lott to resign from the senate if he is removed as ML. O'Riley about busted a gut over that one. D'Amato said that if he were in Lott's position and removed as ML that he wouldn't hesitate to resign. Said it would be a pride issue - i.e. all his fellow senators know he isn't racist but yet won't back him up. Of course O'Riley said so you think he would put his pride over his country by turning over the senate control and D'Amato said it isn't putting his pride over the country. Where's the logic there? I got so mad then I changed the channel so I have no idea how the discussion ended.

[afraidfortherepublic]

You have nailed it. I agree with all of your points.

[Guillermo]

What other response is he going to give?

For the first time in his Senate career, Lott is playing hardball. Ironically, it's against his own party.

[deport]

He's human just like you and me.. You got mad and changed the channel and that was only a talk show.... What Lott's ego does and how he handles it will be the deciding factor. Can he remain along side his peers knowing they rejected him for being a racist and incompetent yet they want him to be a good ol' boy and stay around and keep them in power.... Most humans would do just like you and change the channel, imo.... there are a few that can handle it but I'm not sure Lott is one. We prolly find out before long.

[WHBates]

It won't be a issue of appointment, Trent will still have to get along in Jackson county. Espy doesn't have a chance state wide, or anywhere in the state as far as i can tell. Shows is not going to make it on the coast if there is another choice available, from the coast.

[Green]

Maybe I didn't do a good job explaining myself and my anger. My anger was at D'Amato suggesting that this is exactly what he expects Trent Lott to do and that he was completely in agreement.

He said a couple of times, though, that he had no "inside" information and that this was just his opinion that Lott would this this. My anger is also because there is all this talk about him resigning completely with absolutely no basis for their opinion.

[HumanaeVitae]

Lott is bluffing. Quitting the Senate would make him a pariah...