WHO WILL LEAD THE SENATE?-GOP Leaders Discussing How/Who Calls for Lott to Step Aside

The American Spectator ^ | Dec. 11, 2002 | The Washington Prowler

[ewing]

Republicans on Capitol Hill and conservatives in Washington and around the country are discussing how best to call for Trent Lott's stepping aside as Senate Majority Leader.

According to a knowledgeable Senate source, GOP members of both houses are extremely concerned that Lott's comments have so derailed the momentum gained from the 2002 elections that it would be impossible come January to make numerous confirmations for the executive branch, begin planning a legislative agenda that includes accelerating the Bush tax cuts and pushing through a prescription drug plan for seniors.

Even more upsetting to Republicans is that realization that Lott's comments may make it virtually impossible to bring a number of potentially controversial judicial nominations to the Senate floor successfully.

[ewing]

Paging elder Majority Leader Bob Dole..your presence is required in Trent Lott's office

[Arkie2]

Phil Gramm quit too soon.

[Sabertooth]

Trent should step aside for "family reasons." He's no racist, but he's a big liability.

[ewing]

We still need Trent in the Senate, just not as Majority Leader.

[Huck]

He's no racist, but he's a big liability.

No, but he likes kissing their asses.

[samtheman]

Anybody but Lott.

We still need him in the Senate... he is one of the 51 who gives us the majority.

But he shouldn't be in the leadership, if for no other reason than this whole episode shows incredibly poor judgement for someone intrusted with so much power.

If he can't see the minefields in his own society, how is he able to guide the Republican Senators through the minefields of political decision-making.

This was simple Public Relations 101. And he failed miserably. F-.

[rdb3]

Trent should step aside for "family reasons." He's no racist, but he's a big liability.

Agreed.

[ewing]

And if Chaffee bails, no power sharing at 50-50 this time..especially with Don Nickels at the helm

[Sabertooth]

We still need Trent in the Senate, just not as Majority Leader.

Yes, I meant he should step aside as Leader. It's unfortunate that he'll leave under this cloud, which will appear to some as confirmation of the comments by Slumlord Gore and Hymietown Jackson, but it's necessary. It's a shame he's been Leader this long.

[John W]

What does it say about "his own society"-and ours-that the movement to oust him over this remark has went the way it has,versus any attempts-were there any?-to oust him for his handling of the trial of der slickmeister???

[KarlInOhio]

Is there anyone in the Senate to replace him? I want someone who realizes that politics is a knife fight. The Queensbury rules do not apply any longer.

The Senators from Ohio do not have the fighting spirit necessary.

[ewing]

If KKK Byrd can 'rehab' his image over time on the other side of the aisle, I see no reason why Trent cannot do the same thing.

Just not as a leader of the Senate..

[billbears]

The talk has already begun. Lott apologized, gave credence to the argument and now it's all over but the crying. What he said in praise of an elder statesman has been stretched out of context and used against him.

That being said, I'm starting to question some of Lott's views myself on race. I didn't realize he had been tied to the Council of Conservative Citizens

[Wphile]

I can't believe this story is still going. The double standard here is absolutely breathtaking. And the Republicans are scared? What a bunch of wimps. Why doesn't Lott just get up there and say, "hey, I didn't say anything about segregation and if you guys are trying to infer that, then you are the ones saying it, not me. You are making a mountain out of a molehill here. I was just trying to saying something nice to a 100 year old man. Sheesh." He won't and he'll step aside and the press and the true racists win again. Pathetic.

[nypokerface]

Trent Lott may have done the GOP a favor with his stupid remarks. Maybe we can get somebody with real leadership into his position.

[OKSooner]

The Senior Senator from Oklahoma would always be properly equipped for a fight, if you know what I mean...

[The G Man]

Rick Santorum

[sonserae]

J.C. Watts Jr...

[KansasConservative]

I agree with most others that while he may not be a racist, he definitely is damaging the GOP. Plus the story that came out yesterday that this isn't the first time he's said this about Strom, keeps it alive. I vote for Mitch McConnell (sp?) as Leader.

[DodgeRam]

He could still live to fight another day. He probably will have to step down. He's not been a great leader, but I hate top see a man railroaded like this. When he does step down the republicans should demand that Byrd gives up his seniority position on the budget committee for his use of the n-word. It makes me sick to see some of the reporters who ignored Byrd's outrage totally talking about this. We should let them know about this in email's and letters to the editor.