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.

[KLT]

You're not an idiot....

[Poohbah]

He hasn't been elected majority leader yet.

Actually, he has--back in October.

Lott has become a liability that we just don't need.

It's like chess--when you've discovered that you've misplayed a pawn or a piece, and you'll lose more material than you would gain in defense...write the damn thing off as quickly as you can, and continue your attack by other means.

[twigs]

I see no reason why Trent cannot do the same thing

Because the media will not extend to him the same courtesy.

[Helms]

Lets clean out this Remaining Piece of Dead Wood, Hey Ho, Lotts Gotta Go. This was a stupid and disgusting remark in front of a 100 year old man (anyone remember term limits??).

Someday the Senate may be composed/decompossed of old people and millionaires. When was the last time these geezers had a fresh idea?

[Poohbah]

Hey hey, Ho Ho, Vacant Lott Has Got to Go!

[Catspaw]

That's exactly what the Dems will be aiming for.

And Lott put the loaded guns in their hands, put their fingers on the triggers and pinned a target to his chest, just to be helpful.

I knew when he made the comments that the Dems would be off and running. But he didn't have to provide them with the ammo in the first place.

[Poohbah]

He needs a new nickname.

I suggest "Vacant."

"Vacant Lott." It has a ring to it.

[twigs]

I hate top see a man railroaded like this.

There is a double standard, no doubt about it. However, I take great pride in the fact that Republicans discipline their own. I do not see this as railroading; it was an incredibly stupid thing to say. While I think the argument logically could have been made that the context, Thurmond's party, provided an alternative way of viewing what he said, Drudge's revelations nix that. This is his own doing. Even Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke on FNC, supported by Brit Hume, were troubled by this. Mort said it best. To have even said this as a mistake must mean that somewhere deep in his soul is something he may not realize exists--and that Lott needs to do some soul-searching. I am very proud to be a Republican to hear these voices question him. Lott did this to himself. I can't help that the liberal press would have given a Dem a pass; that's another issue. Lott deserves what he is getting.

[leadpenny]

For those who keep bringing up the old standard, "Well look what this democrat did." And, "Look what that democrat said." And, "Why should there be a double standard?"

Who cares? The Republicans should not try to compare themselves to the dems. They should set their own standards.

Of course Lott should resign as ML. The question is, should he stay in congress just to keep a thin GOP majority? IMO, that would come under the heading of 'Winning a battle and losing the war.' If Lott does not resign from congress within the next month, the dems will probably take control of the House, the Senate and, maybe, the White House in '04. Losses need to be cut and Trent Lott needs to do the right thing and leave. Period.

[Gideon7]

From the Mitch Berg's blog A Shot in the Dark (dated Nov 15)

What started me worrying? Trent Lott.

Why did the GOP win last week? Because we spoke to a vision that hits a chord with the "American street" - and by that I mean any American, regardless of race, class, gender or even political leaning. We campaigned on National Security, Prosperity and Safety.

So what was the first thing out of Trent Lott's mouth? Partial Birth Abortion. That's like getting a phone call from the governor five minutes before your scheduled execution, declaring your innocence and releasing you from death row...and not leaving until you finish the last meal!

What's next, Trent? Push off discussing tax cuts until we get that pressing gay marriage debate resolved?

Nobody asked me, but here's what the GOP has to do to win in '04:

1. Govern to the Right: Cut taxes. Privatize Social Security. Get out of the economy’s way, and stay out!
2. No, the Other Right: Stay out of the niggling social values arguments that the Democrats eat for breakfast. Take abortion off the table; move it to the states where it belongs. As good as slam-dunking Roe would be, it would squander a lot of political capital that we're going to need for, I hate to say it(yes, I'm pro-life), more important things. Perhaps 30% of the electorate votes one way or the other based on abortion. The other 70% may or may not be pro-life, but they vote based on many, many other priorities.
3. Win the War: Seems obvious, right? So it should have seemed to JFK and LBJ. Doesn't always work. It has to this time, though.
4. It's the Vision Thing, Stupid:
   Safety, Wallet, Children.
   Safety, Wallet, Children.
   Safety, Wallet, Children.
   In case you missed my point: Safety, Wallet, Children.
5. Take care of the Necessities; the Luxuries will follow: Remember why the voters gave you the victory - the rest will fall into place. They gave you the victory...why? I don't want to keep seeing the same hands, people! They- the 70% that don't vote based on abortion - want the war won, the economy back on track, and the future to be a more hospitable place for our kids.
6. Focus: In case you still don't get it: Safety, Wallet, Children.
7. More Focus: You'll note that I didn't mention Abortion, Gay Marriage or Prescriptions.

Note to Senator Lott: Get the vision. Or find yourself a nice ambassadorship.

[DodgeRam]

I know I watched that show. He did do this to himself, and he will have to reap the wirlwind. HOWEVER (as much as I love to listen to them) where were they when a racial slur was said on national TV by the senate pro tem. If we let the byrd comment go by saying at least were not them. We have doomed ourselves to be attacked relentlesly by the lib media. When ashcroft brought out the carnahan blackface it helped to deter some of the dem race baiting. He can step down, but it has to come with a fight on byrds comments. Let the Naacp et al defend it.

[Sideshow Bob]

Playing into the hands of race pimps feeds the beast.

Here are comments from some "race pimps":

***

I'm a little confused. Exactly whom are you calling a race pimp?

For the record, I want Lott to step down as Majority Leader, but not because he is a racist (I have no actual way of knowing whether he is a racist or not).

Rather, I want Lott to step down because he was stupid to have made the comment and should have known better. The entire episode is just one more example (among many) of why Lott is unfit to be a Republican Party leader.

I would rather play into the hands of the race pimps (whoever you think they may be) and feed the beast (whatever beast you imagine), than play into the hands of Tom Dasshole by keeping that moronic, ineffective, sissy, wimp Lott as Majority Leader.

Hey! Ho! Lott's Gotta Go!!!

[ellery]

It should be a "be careful what you ask for - you may get it" kind of a lesson.

Quite right -- the entire party needs to learn from Pres. Bush's very successful approach. Remember the rat screaming about letting Congress vote on Iraq?

[ellery]

Yeah, heck with his stupidity and possible racism -- he should have been tossed out on his ear for that feather hat. Hee.

[colorado tanker]

"Vacant Lott." It has a ring to it. ROTFLOL! Definitely takes the prize for this morning's best funny.

[twyn1]

How do you figure we lose the Senate if Lott stays ? If the Democrats keep pushing this, we have ammunition to throw at them (Byrd and the "white ni**er" remark). I do think Lott should consider stepping down as Majority leader, but I don't see how he can do this without looking like he is conceding the "racist" point. The "race card" has been played over and over against the Republicans, "dragging death" commercials, black churches burning, etc. There is an unfair & untrue "racist" smear against Republicans -- which the media does nothing to rectify. Why wasn't Byrd dragged through the press after his remark ? Why hasn't CNN and Chris Matthews played the tape of Roger Clinton using the "N" word repeatedly ? We can't win either way -- if Lott goes on TV screaming that he's being unfairly treated and that he's not a racist, it will drag this debacle out -- it's like trying to prove that you don't beat your wife. Daschle gave Lott a "pass" at first, because he knows the "racist" charge can't stand. There is NOTHING in Lott's record or behavior to indicate that he is a racist - he's dumb YES, but that's not the same thing

If you can come up with a way for Lott to step down as Leader without making things worse -- tell me what it is ?

[twigs]

I understand your frustration and you're right. There is a double standard. But it's just not going to happen. I do not know whether or not the Beltway Boys had anything to say about the Byrd slur or not, but knowing them, they say what they think. I would think that they did, but I cannot verify that. If Lott goes down swinging, then he's just going to look like a vindicative child who's been caught doing something naughty and wants to bring others down with him. It's not fair, mind you, but it's reality. I believe that one of the reasons why Pres. Bush has been such an effective president is that he realized this double standard early on, computes it into his thinking and planning, doesn't complain, and marches on. And, BTW, runs circles around the opposition (I just love it). Lott doesn't have the president's political talents and apparently does not possess the internal resolve to get what is important done. He needs to step down. Yes, Byrd should have been called to task years ago.

[Poohbah]

Bulldoze the Vacant Lott!

[leadpenny]

Here is what I believe Daschle and all the dems would love to see happen; Lott resigns as ML and stays in the Senate. That way they have someone to demonize all the way to the '04 election. Please see my comment at 209.

[BuddhaBoy]

Trent Lott only makes it easier for the moderates in the Senate to defect to the Democrats. Especially McCain and Chaffee.

The media is never going to go after racist comments by Democrats, so get over it. This is a no-win situation. The point is that TRENT LOTT is responsible for this situation, and regardless of the political ramifications, the Republicans have to have new leadership.

You cannot have a lightning-rod as leader, which is why the party got rid of Gingrich.