Commentary: Lott Throws In The Towel (Conservative base will be gone)

crosswalk ^ | 12/20/2002 | Gary Bauer

[TLBSHOW]

Commentary: Lott Throws In The Towel Gary Bauer President, American Values

After days of endless apologizing, Trent Lott has thrown in the towel and resigned as Senate Majority Leader. Late last night he began making phone calls to GOP colleagues to let them know his decision.

Also over night the White House began a more concerted push to replace Lott with Senator Bill Frist, who will now emerge as the "frontrunner."

Frist is a savvy media personality, but he angered many conservatives by interfering in Republican primaries around the country, virtually always in favor of the moderate candidate over the conservative. And he was a staunch supporter of former Surgeon General Satcher, who was pro-abortion. I hope a more reliable conservative-- either Nickles or Santorum-- will throw their hat in the ring.

Now comes the hard part. This mess doesn't end with Lott's resignation. The GOP needs to find its backbone. One example: There are reports that the Administration is now afraid to go into court against the University of Michigan's offensive racial quota system that selects students from certain minority groups regardless of grades while rejecting white students with much higher grades.

For 30 years the Republicans have opposed these quasi-quota schemes. Are we now going to throw in the towel because of the smear campaign against Republicans of the last two weeks?

Some insiders are suggesting there will be reluctance at the White House to nominate conservative judges. Such reports better be inaccurate or the conservative base of the party will be gone.

Let me bring up again one easy way for the White House to signal that it knows how to play hardball and help Americans of all races. Many Washington D.C. schools are abysmal and the children, mostly black, trapped in them are ill served. The White House should send a school voucher program to Capitol Hill on the first day of the new Congress just for the District of Columbia. Ted Kennedy will scream. Hillary Clinton will pull her hair out. Daschle will reach for the Maalox. And they will line up and vote "no" against those black families and in favor of the teacher unions.

Last year Bush dropped his voucher plan because Kennedy refused to let it out of Committee, but there should be no cave in this time.

[laconic]

Bill Frist has an 85 percent conservative rating. And he never chastised Henry Hyde for "dumping this GARBAGE (IMPEACHMENT OF clinton) on his doorstep". Even though he may not be perfect for Gary Bauer, he's a huge improvement over the self-centered, party-destroying Trent Lott.

[meyer]

For 30 years the Republicans have opposed these quasi-quota schemes. Are we now going to throw in the towel because of the smear campaign against Republicans of the last two weeks?

Throw in the towel??? Frankly, and I can't speak for others, I feel more energized than ever. This is an opportunity, if used correctly, for the Republicans to define themselves without waffling and simultaneously make the liberals look stupid.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Now you're reduced to posting Gary Bauer's rantings. We remember Bauer endorsing McLame in 2000 out of spite. You appear to be doing the same thing here.

rubs two fingers together-this is the world's smallest violin. I'm playing it for you and EMPTY LOTT.

[rwfromkansas]

So Bauer expects us to believe gossip about the WH agenda without even providing a source for the claims??

Uh huh.

If they pull that crap, then I will be angry. I won't let some has-been try to rile me up with rumors and smears.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

Isn't the University of Michigan case the one the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear?

What does this mean? That the US Government is reluctant to argue against UM in the USSC? If so, what happens then?

???

[PJ-Comix]

Gary Bauer? Wasn't he the one who got all bent out of shape just because Alan Keyes jumped into a Mosh Pit? Chill out Gary!

[2nd Amendment]

Each republican should applaud Sen. Lott for his decision to stay in the senate. He took one for the party in order for the conservative agenda to go forward in the next Congress. It wasn't fair (it never is with hypocritical RATS!) but we have to keep focused. The left will never die. They supported the Sandinistas and the communists against Reagan. They support the wanton destruction of preborn life against the sanctity of life. They supported perjury against the rule of law. The struggle must go on. Thank you Sen. Lott that you ultimately put country and party above personal hurt!

[skeeter]

Bill Frist has an 85 percent conservative rating.

Lott had a 93% ACU rating.

But I'm still waxing hopeful.

[jwalsh07]

If Bush doesn't join the Michigan case on the side of the constitution and the senate doesn't pass a ban on PBA I'm heading elsewhere.

[america-rules]

Now the IDIOTS are bitching because Frist got the GOP a majority !

STOP the freeking idiot cry baby wacko right wing all or nothing rants !

[TLBSHOW]

Gary Bauer? Wasn't he the one who got

Not sure pj any thoughts on Bush being a liberal?

[jwalsh07]

Thats what it means. From what I have gleaned from radio reports there is a battle within the administration whether or not to oppose the U of Michigan. We'll see what happens.

[frmrda]

Don't forget this is the same midget idiot who fell off of a stage flipping pancakes. Not only that,he backed McCain when he dropped out.

He is an insignificant, petty little man.

[Wait4Truth]

Oh, now Bauer is worried about abortion after he endorsed pro-choice mccain over pro-life Bush in 2000? How low will you sink, anyway?

[sinkspur]

If Bush doesn't join the Michigan case on the side of the constitution and the senate doesn't pass a ban on PBA I'm heading elsewhere.

Not me. It's gonna be fun to see how many scalps the "canonized conservatives" will seek until they find THE GUY!

Do you ever think they will find THE GUY? THE GUY who thinks exactly as every right-winger does?

[Wait4Truth]

Actually, Frist has an 88% lifetime, 92% in 2000 and 100% in 2001.

[Torie]

You seem to have messed with the title of the article to insert your own hyperbolic editorial comment. That is very naughty and not nice. Santa may skip your chimney.

[okie01]

Does Bauer actually believe that Lott was capable of getting permanent tax cuts, Social Security reform, a voucher program and a PBA bill thru the Senate?

Lott was incapable of accomplishing this even before he stepped on his **** at Strom's birthday party.

Inadvertently, the libs have given us one victory -- stronger leadership in the Senate -- and an opportunity for another, even greater one. To dispell this whole evil notion that the GOP is composed of racists.

There is a reason why the Democrats backed off on their attacks and didn't want Lott removed...