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.

[TLBSHOW]

So you agree with the liberal establishment, that Republicans are racists?

The GOP needs be united as a political party, if it wants to be successful and advance PresBushes agenda over the next two years and beyond. Taking these hits on the race issue, does the GOP no good.


ain't that the truth... what is it with the republicans in 2002?

[jwalsh07]

I'm working on your thoughts on set asides for underrepresented races in the Bar. Your position interests me and can't be tossed aside out of hand.

So, while I ponder it, post the vanity. I could use a few good chuckles watching you dodge the darts.

[TLBSHOW]

Crusade?

No way, but I would call the last 2 weeks here a crusade that you were warned would come to nothing. Well more of calling republicans racist if Lott stepped down.

[jwalsh07]

He will, but if he doesn't....don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Zarf this.

[Torie]

That would take some work, and idea just popped into my head. I will ponder it. But I think it might be a worthy project. Of course, I would tone it down. I am not here to gratuitously annoy. The quota for that in this neighborhood has already been filled.

[Salvation]

I'm going for Santorum. The conservative wing (the one with the money) will not support Frist. Too moderate.

[Salvation]

**Frist is a puppet and he will not even bring up PBA to a vote.**

And the conservatives would not like this.

[okie01]

The Dems have fallen afoul of the wisdom contained in "Be careful what you wish for..."

In their vile hatred, they did us a favor.

[Reagan Man]

Cleaning up after the Lott fiasco, doesn't address the central problem that Republicans face. Liberals are working in overdrive, labeling the GOP, racists. And it shows no signs of letting up, or going away. Instead of cleaning up, Republicans should be fighting back. So far, they're not doing that and such inaction, will only complicate matters.

[TLBSHOW]

When they find out they are all being painted as racists, the RATS won't win a race down there for 100 years.

bump

I always say send em back to the stone age.

[jwalsh07]

The Supreme Court will decide the affirmative action cases. The US Government is not a party to the cases. Who cares what they do?

I would say that most politically active Americans would want the Bush administration to take a stand here and file an amicus brief.

Most likely, due to the current paintng of the republican party as South Africa redux, the Bush administration will take a pass.

[GailA]

The rating is 88 not 85. I think I saw one post that Santorum is 86.

[Reagan Man]

>>> ... what is it with the republicans in 2002?

Too many neocons, RINO`s and moderates and not enough conservatives. A serve case of no political backbone.

[Salvation]

**The ACU likes Frist. His ratings for 2000 and 2001 were 92% and 100%.**

But does the ACU like Santorum or McConnell even better? We will know on Monday!

[Poohbah]

I would say that most politically active Americans would want the Bush administration to take a stand here and file an amicus brief.

What evidence leads you to this conclusion?

[John Lenin]

I lived in the south for four years, I'm sure they were offendd by Lotts remarks on BET. He all but admitted he was a racist. He could have very easily turned it around on the RATS but for some reason he dug an even deepr hole for himself.

If you look at his leadership rein the government Grew, Lott was nowhere to be found to stick up for taxpaying people, he was as inept as Dole, another big government conservative. I'm hoping the GOP can get back to it's roots and start cutting programs that are foolish and trying to put more money in the taxpayers pocket. I still have 20 more years of work and I'll be damed if I want to live on social secuity payments alone. Give me a tax break and let me decide how best to invest my money for retiement.

[Mo1]

This was the first day of cleaning up the mess, give them a chance ... I am sure they will now start addressing and fighting these attacks from the Left

I listen to Morton Kondracke tonight and even he said the Libs was going over board .. and I have not doubt the Liberals will over play their hand because the don't get it and they never will

[sinkspur]

Mo, this is one fight that is not going to get settled soon on FR. Both sides are digging their heels in. I am exhausted from the flame wars. I'm thinking this is all going to turn out ok in the end.

It will. But the trashing of Trent Lott has got to stop!

I'm all for moving on, but you guys unleashed a genie that won't be put back in its bottle easily.

No hard feelings, I hope, and Merry Christmas to you and your family, Sharon.

[Jhoffa_]

I can't help but like Gary Bauer.

And he's right, again!

We can't toss in the towel on quota's or conservative judicial appointments just because our Senate or the White House let Je$$ie Jack$on and the racists over at the CBC intimidate them a little.

Lott's comments reflect on Trent Lott and no one else, if you tank the agenda conservatives have been waiting patiently for over this, then you had better call the rats and get a quick lesson in vote fraud.

You'll need it.