Trent Lott: I’d have thrown out Cruz for ‘liar’ speech

thehill.com ^ | 2/6/16

[cotton1706]

Trent Lott (R-Miss.) says he would take a hard line with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) if he was still running the Senate.

Cruz, a presidential candidate, assailed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in a floor speech last year, accusing him of lying about a deal related to the Export-Import Bank.

Lott, who served as Senate majority leader in 2002, suggested Cruz's speech was beyond the pale. "Having been majority leader, I've never had someone stand on the Senate floor and call me a liar," Lott said in an interview with The Hill's Molly K. Hooper. "In fact, if I had been in the Senate at that time I would have moved to have him removed from the Senate chamber physically."

Lott, who is now co-chair of the public policy practice at Squire Patton Boggs, talks 2016 politics and his preferred candidate, Ohio. Gov John Kasich (R), in the video above.

[Ohioan]

Lott lost his leadership position in disgrace, when he let the "Politically Correct" bullies humiliate him over his having toasted Strom Thurmond--a truly great American--at the latter's 100th birthday party, after Strom retired. Lott apologized for having honored Thurmond in a disgusting combination of moral cowardice and stupidity.

For those who do not know the history, it was Strom Thurmond's coming over to the Republican Party in 1964, to support Barry Goldwater, which set in motion the realignment that made the Reagan victory possible in 1980, as well as the appointment of Conservatives to the Supreme Court.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Ted may have been right, but doing that gained him nothing. There are times when advocating a certain position is going to piss off some people, but there's nothing to be done about that. That's unavoidable.

What is avoidable are things like the "liar" speech. It accomplished nothing other than permanently alienating people who have the ability to influence who wins the nomination. Or, conversely, to oppose him vindictively even if they are sympathetic to some of his views.

Firing up people who already agree with you is not enough to offset alienating those who do not yet agree with you, but might be persuadable.

That's Ted's biggest flaw as a candidate.

[Kickass Conservative]

This coming from the man that made everything in the Senate “equal” when it was 50/50 with a Republican Vice President.

Yep, 51 to 50 is Equal. What a Maroon Lott is.

[georgiarat]

The Republican Senate Leaders since 1986 have been Bob Dole, Trett Lott, Bill Frist, and Mitch McConnell and we wonder why none of the conservative agenda ever is accomplished. Dole abandoned Robert Bork, failed to support Gingrich and the House after 1994 and let’s not even speak of his 1996 run for President. Trett Lott passed on fighting hard to have Clinton convicted and allowed the Senate to switch hands even though we won the 2000 election. Frist (don’t forget is father’s ties to hospital conglomerates) helped run up the rapid spending in Congress with No Child left behind, Medicare part D and compassionate support and looking the other way on illegals. Then comes Mitch McConnel in 2006 and I do not have to mention the disaster he is for the country and conservatives.

[dfwgator]

FUTL

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Trent Lott? I thought that light in the loafers guy had married Linseed Graham the Cracka!

[davius]

I’d have thought a former majority leader would know that speech on the Senate floor is protected by Article 1, Section 6, Clause 1 of the Constitution.

[fireman15]

I don’the know that Cruz will be able to overcome the resistance ahead. I am not sure that Trump will either. This is only a preview. The media will be trotting out people who will claim that Little Teddy verbally assaulted them in the 3rd grade and left them permanently scarred.

[Slyfox]

Trent Lott was one of the Senate Republicans who refused to convict Bill Clinton after his impeachment trial.

[StAnDeliver]

Thanks for posting another article that makes Cruz look like a douchebag. Thanks.

[alternatives?]

Remember this when they say Rubio is better liked.

Remember this when they say Rubio and Cruz are similar.

Remember this when they say Rubio is more electable.

Remember this when they say we have to pull together and elect Rubio.

[John S Mosby]

The former Democratic congressman’s staffer who made it “from inside the machine”, switching to a Republican when needed and is a TOTAL absolute opportunist. No conservative, in fact a major TROUGH EATER. His opinion is worthless except to the RINO GOPe machine republicans, like freaking Kasich, the Republ of choice of the NYTimes. A nice little club, which conservatives do not belong— thank God.

[StAnDeliver]

"Firing up people who already agree with you is not enough to offset alienating those who do not yet agree with you, but might be persuadable. That's Ted's biggest flaw as a candidate."

Let 'em go!

[LongWayHome]

Lol, the guy who groveled like a dog before BET TV asking for forgiveness for making a harmless joke.

[EGPWS]

Ted Cruz, living the Ronald Reagan life.

He will be fine.

[John S Mosby]

Think how different things would be if Cruz had not won the runoff primary against the GOPe David Dewhurst (who would NOT have beaten the Dem Sadler)? What would we have had at this point in the battle to take back our government away from the private club.

[Popman]

I wonder why Trent Lott thinks I care what his opinion is?

Betcha, if you took a poll asking 'Who is Trent Lott'

The vast majority of people would say 'Who is that'

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Kinda funny how the far left RINO’s are coming out of the woodwork. The people will decide and we’ve decided we’re not interested in what Lott and his ilk have to say!

[abishai]

Hating Ted is like a litmus test for GOP sell-outs.

We now just need a Thad Cochran, Eric Cantor, or Susan Collins to come out and complete the set.

[skeeter]

Cruz's speech exposed the GOP leadership for what they are, scam artists telling us one thing and doing another and working for no one but themselves, on the record.

Maybe thats not what everyone wants in their candidate but it suits me just fine.