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Myrick calls for Sen. Lott to step aside (See Ballenger quotes in article!)
The Charlotte Observer ^ | December 20, 2002 | Jim Morrill

Posted on 12/20/2002 5:25:12 AM PST by wimpycat

Two N.C. Republican members of Congress have joined those calling on embattled Sen. Trent Lott to resign as the GOP's Senate leader.

U.S. Reps. Sue Myrick and Cass Ballenger are the Carolinas' first Republican lawmakers to publicly say Lott should step aside. The Mississippi Republican ignited a firestorm this month after praising Sen. Strom Thurmond's 1948 segregationist presidential campaign during a birthday bash for the S.C. senator.

"It's in the best interest of the country if he steps down as leader so we can move forward with what the people want us to do and this isn't an issue forever," said Myrick, of Charlotte.

Ballenger said Lott should "drop out of leadership but stay in the Senate."

Yet he also said some of his constituents might empathize with Lott's remarks, and acknowledged that one black colleague so provoked him that "I must I admit I had segregationist feelings."

Asked if he believes Lott is a segregationist, Ballenger said, "I'd have a hard time saying he wasn't. ... Basically in some areas of the South, in Charlotte and everywhere else, there are people who get rubbed the wrong way (thinking) `We've got to bend over backwards; we've got to integrate' and things like that."

Ballenger, of Hickory, said he felt similar sentiments dealing with Rep. Cynthia McKinney, a Georgia Democrat known for her liberal politics and combative personality.

"If I had to listen to her, I probably would have developed a little bit of a segregationist feeling," he said. "But I think everybody can look at my life and what I've done and say that's not true. ... I mean, she was such a bitch."

McKinney, who lost her re-election bid, could not be reached.

When told of Ballenger's remarks, Rep. Mel Watt, a black Democrat from Charlotte, reacted philosophically.

"I suspect that whatever she's doing that's gnawing on him has to do more with what she's saying and how she's saying it than the fact that she's black," he said.

"I doubt it's her blackness that's annoying him, but it's probably that added factor that makes it intolerable to him, in a sense. I wonder if somebody white did and said the same thing that Cynthia McKinney is saying it would even become a part of his discussion."

As for Lott, Watt said "That's the Republicans' cross to bear."

Other Carolina lawmakers have renounced Lott's remarks but stopped short of calling for his ouster.

Sen.-elect Elizabeth Dole on Thursday declined to elaborate on a statement she made last week in which she stood by President Bush's condemnation of any segregationist views. Thurmond's successor, Republican Sen.-elect Lindsey Graham, has said he's glad Lott apologized, but "It is now time for us to move forward."

Jimmy Broughton, an aide to outgoing Sen. Jesse Helms, said Helms believes that "enough has been said. Everybody now is piling on. He's been friends with Senator Lott for a long time."

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, an S.C. Republican, considers Lott's comments "indefensible," said spokesman Wesley Denton. But, he added, Lott has apologized "and (Wilson) accepts his apology."

Pearl Burris-Floyd, a black Republican commissioner in Gaston County, said Lott hurts her party's efforts to recruit minorities.

"No one wants to be a part of something where you're obviously not wanted," she said. "... This is not part of the Republican philosophy. There's nothing we can do as a party to control how a person feels."

Like Myrick, Ballenger blames the press for prolonging Lott's troubles.

"The news media has worked this thing over," said Ballenger. "The Democrats aren't going to let it die, and I doubt the news media will let it die. What we need is to go to war somewhere, and then you'd have something else to write about." -- STAFF WRITER JEN TALHELM CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ARTICLE.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Government; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons; Politics/Elections; US: Mississippi; US: North Carolina
KEYWORDS: cassballenger; gop; lindseygraham; melwatt; nchousedelegation; northcarolina; oldnorthstate; suemyrick; trentlott; unhelpful
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"If I had to listen to her, I probably would have developed a little bit of a segregationist feeling,"[Rep. Ballenger]said. "But I think everybody can look at my life and what I've done and say that's not true. ... I mean, she was such a bitch."

ROFL!

1 posted on 12/20/2002 5:25:12 AM PST by wimpycat
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To: Constitution Day; Howlin; Chancellor Palpatine; billbears; sneakypete; Phantom Lord
CD, can you use your NC Ping list?
2 posted on 12/20/2002 5:26:10 AM PST by wimpycat
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To: wimpycat
LOL! I was just getting ready to post THIS.
3 posted on 12/20/2002 5:26:55 AM PST by Constitution Day
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To: wimpycat
I'm on it!
4 posted on 12/20/2002 5:27:33 AM PST by Constitution Day
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To: wimpycat; *Old_North_State; **North_Carolina; Constitution Day; mykdsmom; Lee'sGhost; KOZ.; ...
NC ping!
Please FRmail me if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.
5 posted on 12/20/2002 5:28:58 AM PST by Constitution Day
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To: Howlin
Don't worry, I don't think Ballenger is going to suffer Lott's fate; even black Democrat Mel Watt can understand how McKinney would drive a man to think un-PC thoughts, LOL!

When told of Ballenger's remarks, Rep. Mel Watt, a black Democrat from Charlotte, reacted philosophically.

"I suspect that whatever she's doing that's gnawing on him has to do more with what she's saying and how she's saying it than the fact that she's black," he said.

"I doubt it's her blackness that's annoying him, but it's probably that added factor that makes it intolerable to him, in a sense. I wonder if somebody white did and said the same thing that Cynthia McKinney is saying it would even become a part of his discussion."

As for Lott, Watt said "That's the Republicans' cross to bear."

6 posted on 12/20/2002 5:29:56 AM PST by wimpycat
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To: wimpycat
"If I had to listen to her, I probably would have developed a little bit of a segregationist feeling," he said. "But I think everybody can look at my life and what I've done and say that's not true. ... I mean, she was such a bitch."

Official nominee for Quote of the Year! ROFLMAO!

7 posted on 12/20/2002 5:31:02 AM PST by rintense
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To: Constitution Day
LOL! I'm on the ball today!
8 posted on 12/20/2002 5:31:03 AM PST by wimpycat
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To: wimpycat
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, an S.C. Republican, considers Lott's comments "indefensible," said spokesman Wesley Denton. But, he added, Lott has apologized "and (Wilson) accepts his apology."

Frankly his "those I offended" apology and his later capitulation to affirmative action and the Black Caucus agenda is what is really indefensible.

We simply can't have a man with this kind of baggage leading the Republican Senate.

9 posted on 12/20/2002 5:36:40 AM PST by P-Marlowe
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To: wimpycat
There are times you simply don't like another person. It may have nothing to do with race, but with their personality and character. Too many times, raciality gets mixed in defensively, especially if the situation involves persons of mixed race, but the situation itself it not racial.

Sometimes you just simply don't like another person. And that is a right we all possess.
10 posted on 12/20/2002 5:38:37 AM PST by TomGuy
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To: Constitution Day; xsmommy
Ballenger, of Hickory, said he felt similar sentiments dealing with Rep. Cynthia McKinney ... I mean, she was such a bitch."

ROTFL.

11 posted on 12/20/2002 5:39:34 AM PST by hobbes1
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To: wimpycat
Yes, I know!
I would have beat you to it, but I was WORKING.

Harrumph! :)

12 posted on 12/20/2002 5:39:34 AM PST by Constitution Day
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To: Constitution Day; xsmommy
Now that is calling a Spade a Spade.
13 posted on 12/20/2002 5:42:37 AM PST by hobbes1
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To: hobbes1
or calling a bitch a bitch...
14 posted on 12/20/2002 5:45:38 AM PST by xsmommy
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To: wimpycat
..she was such a bitch.

Was a bitch? I'm afraid I have some rather unfortunate news for Mr. Ballenger.

15 posted on 12/20/2002 5:47:07 AM PST by Aegedius
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To: Poohbah
Humor break...
16 posted on 12/20/2002 6:05:10 AM PST by wimpycat
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To: wimpycat
NEVER FORGET


...LOTT not gone in 1 week =

...President HILLARY RODHAM in just 2 years.


NEVER FORGET
17 posted on 12/20/2002 6:15:26 AM PST by ALOHA RONNIE
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To: wimpycat
Didn't Lott ever take a typing class?

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party.

18 posted on 12/20/2002 6:23:01 AM PST by samtheman
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To: samtheman
Oh my good Lord . . . Cass . . . I don't know what to say.
19 posted on 12/20/2002 6:44:26 AM PST by JohnnyZ
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To: wimpycat
Kudos to Sue Myrick, following the NC motto - First in getting Lott to take the next Flight outta town. As for Mel Watt, who unfortunately represents me in a ridiculously gerrymandered district running through Charlotte, NC - I'm sure when he says about Lott, "That's the Republicans' cross to bear" - that we keep bearing it.

I left a message congratulating Myrick on her move - but I can't seem to track down Liddy as Senator-Elect to encourage a similar move. Anybody have any contact info?
20 posted on 12/20/2002 6:48:28 AM PST by guitfiddlist
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