It had nothing to do with race or segregation. The mess was the failure of near 50 years of the Democrat's socialistic policies which had then climaxed in the disastrous Carter administration (stag-flation, hostages in Iran, the Oil crisis, etc.), policies which Thurmond vigorously opposed in 1948, in 1980, and today.
This whole controversy is a bunch of hooey. Lott obviously greatly admires Sen. Thurmond, who has had an amazing political life of which all true Americans should be proud. Good for him. There are few politicians who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of their country and constituency like Thurmond did both in war and in peace.