Moment of Truth-National Review Asks for Added Clarification of Lott's Remarks to Thurmond

National Review Magazine ^ | Dec. 9, 2002 | David Frum

[Poohbah]

Which U.S. Senator is a former member of the Ku Klux Klan?

I posted the same message over at DU. Within minutes the post was deleted and my posting rights were revoked.

I must have hit a nerve. ;-)

Gee, ya think?

Seriously, we can't use the "look who else does it" approach, unless we want to be just like Clinton.

[steveegg]

I hear you. The RATs learned that lesson from '74 VERY well (notice how many times the Fed pumped the prime in '98 to keep the economy awash in money). They also learned the value of unity.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Seriously, we can't use the "look who else does it" approach, unless we want to be just like Clinton.

No, but we can and should point out democRAT hypocracy.

Lott isn't a racist and there is no evidence that he ever was. He said something politically stupid, because he should have known how the democRATs would jump on it. In contrast, Byrd was a documented racist probably still is. It needs to be pointed out continuously. Maybe, someday, the media may even pick up on it. I doubt it, but it could happen.

There is a chance that Bush will name Thomas to replace Rehnquist, if Rehnquist steps down at the end of this term as many expect. If he does, the democRATs will pull Anita Hill back out from under her rock. After 10 years of defending the Rapist in Chief that will be the absolute height of hypocracy. They'll do it anyway.

[Poohbah]

No, but we can and should point out democRAT hypocracy.

Fine. Two-track it--push Lott to resign, and call the Dems on their hypocrisy. Use the opportunity to contrast ourselves as a party of principle vs. a party intent solely on power.

[steveegg]

If Cave-A-Lott isn't replaced now, when does El Diablo D'Asshole regain the Majority Leader's offices? I say no later than July 4, 2003.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Why thank you.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I don't think a segregationist should have been elected president in 1948, no. I'm sorry you feel otherwise.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Fine. Two-track it--push Lott to resign, and call the Dems on their hypocrisy. Use the opportunity to contrast ourselves as a party of principle vs. a party intent solely on power.

That's pretty much what Bob Livingston did when he resigned as incoming speaker of the House of Representatives during the Clinton impeachment hearings. Didn't do much good.

[Poohbah]

Sometimes, you do the morally right thing because it's the morally right thing, and you know that it will be a sacrifice.

[eddie willers]

That's pretty much what Bob Livingston did when he resigned as incoming speaker of the House of Representatives during the Clinton impeachment hearings. Didn't do much good.

We've been winning pretty well since 1998.

[thoughtomator]

I think on this one it's a bit disingenuous to pin it on rat hypocrisy. Let's face it, Lott's statement was out-and-out nostalgia for segregation. What he actually said is not at all far from saying "oh what a beautiful world it would be if we just kept those niggers in their place".

This may be old-school GOP, but frankly it's reactionary claptrap and the very fact that it came across his lips, even accidentally, shows that he is not with the times.

It's 2002 now, not 1948.

The principled right is color blind. Since Lott is unable to adapt to this point of view, for the good of everyone involved he should be replaced with someone with a more accurate understanding of the 21st century.

Let's not fool ourselves here. This statement from Sen. Lott will be repeated to us over and over for many years. It has done and will continue to do great damage to the efforts of those of us, who are indeed sincere about the morality of racially indifferent government, to persuade people who are not yet committed to either side on racially charged issues. The charge will be that the right's positions are pretexts to cover an agenda of resegregationism, and this Senator's words will be a significant piece of evidence to support that charge.

[RnMomof7]

This could work out great for Republicans. I dont really care how or why it happens, but the sooner the GOP gets rid of Trent Lott, the better off they will be.

My thought exactly..Trent has needed gone a long time..too many "bad hair days"

[Steve Eisenberg]

I posted the same message over at DU.

What's DU?

[okie01]

He [Lott] owes his party, his state, his country, and his conscience something more – something much more – than a curt “I am sorry if you were offended.”

Speaking for myself, I'm inclined to tell Trent "You've embarrassed us for the last time."

[P-Marlowe]

Hey mom. I cannot believe anyone in any leadership position would be sooooo stupid as to hand their enemies, in this case the democrats, the ammunition to shoot them in the head. In this case Mr. Lott played into the old tired stereotype that Republicans are nothing but a bunch of good old boys from the Segregationst past. Way to Go Trent! He's put us back at least 20 years with this.

He failed us in impeachment. He failed us when he gave equal committee membership the the rats in 2000 and he failed us when he let Jeffords bolt the party to surrender the Senate. He's an embarrassment to the party. And he needs a new hairstyle to boot.

Well here's my opinion of Mr. Lott: Press here!

[RnMomof7]

LOL..and thats on a GOOD hair day

[BillyBoy]

>> Dixiecrat was a new party and not a part of the Democrat party. <<

Dixiecrat was an offshot of the national party and ran as the "real" Democrat Party in the south. Take a look at their sample ballots:

Mississippi Dixiecrat Ballot

Here is the Republican platform of 1948:

TAXES-- For lower taxes. Decrease taxes for industry and jobs. Encourage growth of small buisnesses.
SOCIAL SECURITY-- For more comprehensive old age pensions. Oppose a federal health care program.
LABOR-- Support Taft-Hartley Act.
CIVIL RIGHTS-- Opposes poll taxes. Right to work should not be stopped on the basis of race, color, or religion.
INFLATION/DEFEICT: Inflation is Truman's fault due to bigger government programs. Again wage-price controls. For encouging private production.
HOUSING-- Use private money and funding to clear out slums and build low-cost housing. No cabient-level housing authority.
AGRICULTURE-- Favor smaller family farms. Allow flexible price supports for farmers.
FORIEGN POLICY-- Stop Democrat's erratic foriegn policy that changes based on public opinion. Develop comprehensive, consistant stragedy for cold-war problems.
DEFENSE-- Support arms control but must be cautious about communist "promises". Continue funding level for millitary protection.
EDUCATION-- Education is best left in the hands of local schools. No federal money should be alloted for this area.
ENVIROMENT & CONSERVATION-- Favor restoration to the States of their historic rights to the tide and submerged lands, tributary waters, lakes, and streams.

[Maximum Leader]

An October election for the following session's Majority Leader makes no sense. Why would retiring senators who won't be serving in the next Congress get a vote and newly elected GOP senators (who obviously didn't know if they were going to Washington or not in October)not get a vote?