From Newsweek:
As the call began, McConnell—second in command and a Lott ally—delivered a history lesson. “Leaders who are ousted tend to leave altogether,” he said in his voice-of-doom baritone. “That is what Newt Gingrich did. That is what Jim Wright did. They don’t stick around.” If Lott left, he noted, the Democratic governor of Lott’s home state of Mississippi would name one of his own as a replacement. Republicans relishing the return of perks, power and committee chairmanships could forget it. Instead, they would face the kiss-your-sister chaos of a 50-50 Senate. “I was just explaining the history,” McConnell told NEWSWEEK. Other participants remember the moment differently. “He was raising the idea that Trent would blow himself up,” said one. Lott, for his part, distanced himself from the threat—even as aides still were making it on his behalf. “My term runs through 2006,” he told NEWSWEEK. “I intend to serve it, whatever happens.”The relevant passage, if you missed it: “My term runs through 2006,” he [Lott] told NEWSWEEK. “I intend to serve it, whatever happens.”
In other words, the Lott resignation was a trial balloon floated by Mitch McConnell that has been disavowed by Lott himself.
If you don't believe me, check for yourself at http://www.msnbc.com/news/847739.asp
Thank you. It's the pits having to read a thread full of conjecture just to get to this.