Myrick calls for Sen. Lott to step aside (See Ballenger quotes in article!)

The Charlotte Observer ^ | December 20, 2002 | Jim Morrill

[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.

[wimpycat]

I don't know how you'll be able to track her down. There's a lot of activity going on up in the Senate regarding office space. Her office might be in some trailer, too, like Lindsey Graham...check out his digs HERE.

[sneakypete]

None of this matters. It's Friday,and Lott will be out by dark.