LOTT SAID IT BEFORE (Drudge Siren)

Drudge ^ | 12/10/02 | Drudge

[walrus954]

After a fiery speech by Thurmond at a Mississippi campaign rally for Ronald Reagan in November 1980, Lott, then a congressman, told a crowd in Jackson: "You know, if we had elected this man 30 years ago, we wouldn't be in the mess we are today."

More to follow...

[Poohbah]

But I still have failed to see where there's a connection to segregation. (Was Thurmond a Democrat or Republican before he ran as a Dixiecrat?)

Thurmond was a Democrat, then ran as a Dixiecrat on an explicitly segregationist platform.

If you still fail to see the connection, pray consult with your eye care specialist.

[habs4ever]

Yes, he was.He became one in 1972.

[M. Peach]

You should read what Schippers said about him after the impeachment hearing. Lott refused to let the house managers present their case and call the right witnesses. He conspired with the Democratic Senators to squelch the whole trial.

Lott said something to the effect, "I don't care if we had witnesses that said he murdred someone on the White House Lawn - there still wouldn't be enough votes to impeach him."

Maybe so, but at least the American Public would get to see
the evidence and expose those lying corrupt Senators who would vote against impeachment....

[Husker24]

He needs to step down for the good of the party, otherwise during the next election the media and the Dems will be harping that the Republican LEADERSHIP is headed by someone who supports segregation......etc..blahblahblah. A lot of our elections were close to 50% 50% and if the Black vote turns out in droves, well have a Dem. president and congress and nothing would be worse than that, especially if Hillary is at the helm.

[sinkspur]

He keeps the seat, but he quits leadership.

You're naive, my friend.

If the Republicans can't keep a "racist, segregationist" in the Majority Leader role, what makes you think Sheila Jackson Lee, Elijah Cummings, and the Amen Chorus at Free Republic will allow him to stay as a measly Senator from Mississippi?

Based on your "principle," he will have to quit altogether, which will put us one Lincoln Chaffee away from the minority again.

I part company strongly with you on this, Poohbah. You really haven't thought this through. But, you're in good company, as Free Republic has turned into a pit of Maniacal Madness over the last 48 hours.

Wave some red meat in front of FReepers who are nursing grudges, and they react like mad dogs.

[Senator Pardek]

Which is precisely why Tom Daschle has come to Lott's support...

Where (non-sarcastic)?

[CatoRenasci]

Lott has to go for the good of the Party.

He's never been that effective, but now he gives the Democrats a huge issue that could easily be diffused. The Republican Party actually has a long and honorable record with respect to equal rights, going back to the 19th century. Being conservative doesn't mean being a racist. Strom Thurmond finally figured that out. Lott doesn't seem to have.

[BJungNan]

"You know, if we had elected this man 30 years ago, we wouldn't be in the mess we are today."

What is wrong with this quote. I don't get it. What mess were we in because Thurmond was not elected?

[Fish out of Water]

When you lack ideas, as does Trent Lott you support the man. Many people see Lott’s comments as supporting the policies of segregation but Lott unable to deal with ideas simply sees a good man and a good man even with the wrong ideas is still a good man.

[BuddhaBoy]

This is going to be harder to spin away...he's going to have to be thrown overboard - otherwise we can never and I repeat, never, call the democrats on anything ever again. Not any of Clinton's crimes, past, present, or future. Not anything at all.

That is the main point, and thanks for saying it. I am getting sick of Hannity and others only attacking Liberals over this and ignoring the totality of what Lott said.

No one is calling him a racist, but the man has never been a friend to Conservatives, and he blew the Impeachment.

We would not have a Homeland Security bill, had Bush not FORCED Lott to get it done. But the worst thing, is that I believe that Daschle would rather work with Lott than anyone else on the Republican side. That alone should be reason enough to dump him.

[CatoRenasci]

Indeed, I read Schippers' book, and he was pretty bitter about Lott.

[Commander8]

I'm no Trent Lott apologist, but he is right about one thing, if we had elected Strom Thurmond back in 1948 America would have been much better off.

[Husker24]

Yes, if Daschle is supporting him, we know something is afoot.

[headsonpikes]

"Cheerleaders ain't traditionally known for their brains."

Locomotive Lott...choo-choo-choo-ing his way into oblivion.

Maybe baton-twirling's more his thing.

[Mo1]

Look .. I can't stand Lott and I won't shead any tears when he leaves

But they are trying to pin something on him that isn't right

I don't think Lott is a racist .. a spineless idiot yes .. but he is not a racist

[MJY1288]

What bothers me about this Trent Lott (non-issue) is that his comment could be taken many ways. Bill Clinton is probably laughing his arse off because he knows he could of spun this out of the headlines with the complete backing of the mainstream media.

You would think that Trent Lott would have better sense than to make such a stupid comment, but no one has ever claimed he was a rocket scientist. This whole thing has blown way out of proportion and it has damaged the Republican party

[Poohbah]

After a fiery speech by Thurmond at a Mississippi campaign rally for Ronald Reagan in November 1980, Lott, then a congressman, told a crowd in Jackson: "You know, if we had elected this man 30 years ago, we wouldn't be in the mess we are today."

OK, if you think this language is ambiguous, then you need a refresher course. I will step you through this.

Thurmond gave a speech for Reagan in Jackson, Mississippi.

Lott told the crowd after the speech, "You know, if we had elected this man 30 years ago, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in today."

Reagan did not run for national office before 1976. He didn't run for any office until 1966. The only guy this can possibly refer to is STROM THURMOND.

Lott is either an ignorant twit, in which case he should gracefully step aside from leadership for someone with more brain cells, or really does support the Dixiecrat platform, in which case he's permanently damaged goods and needs to leave the leadership post.

[BuddhaBoy]

a spineless idiot yes

Isnt that enough? Why should he be leader under your own description of the man?

[Ronin]

He keeps the seat, but he quits leadership.

The man is a [profanity deleted] menace.

DITTO!!!

Getting Lott out of the Majority leader chair would be a net plus for the Republicans but he must keep his seat.

I have despised Lott ever since the inpeachment hearings and am not any more impressed with him now. But that seat of his is too important to lose.

[RAT Patrol]

Good research on your post #41.