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.

[Dave S]

Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul

First you have to get your idiot idol elected to the Senate. While you dont have to be a member of the House of Representatives to be Speaker of the House, you do have to be a Senator to be Majority Leader of the Senate.

[Republican Wildcat]

Ron Paul is not in the Senate. Good grief.

[puroresu]

If Lott had just said he was making a tribute about a great man who had recanted his segregationist past, and then told the critics to shove it, he'd have been okay. They'd have whined for a couple of days, then it would have died.

But the moment he apologized, it was over. The apology "proves" to the critics that their phony racism charge has merits. Lott will now be known to history as the Republican leader who had to step aside "for making racist remarks" and for "praising segregation".

Political Correctness wins again, because those in its crosshairs rarely have the spine to fight it, even in conservative circles.

[fly_so_free]

Lott has been about as much help to the Republicans as Jim Jeffords has. He has a looooooooong record of nothing but capitulation to the dems. The latest was after the Republicans won this last election. After all the blocking and interferring the demcrats did; Lott makes a deal with Daschle so they(dems) can continue to make trouble during the lame duck session of congress. He should have stepped down as speaker a long time ago. He also let the Repubs down who were trying to bring Clinton to justice during impeachment. He is useless.

There is NO EXCUSE for the comment he made at Strom Thurmonds birthday. Ask yourselves: If he was TRYING to hurt the Republican party and make them look bad, would he have said anything different than the remaks he made at the birthday party? I hope he resigns from Speaker quietly, without causing trouble. Its the LEAST he could do. I hope they put in someone to replace him who is tough and will challenge the dems on their ideas instead of constanatly giving in to them.

[Republican Wildcat]

It's a bit disheartening to see so many show up on this thread that don't know the basics on how the government is set up.

[Dave S]

Playing into the hands of race pimps feeds the beast. They'll beat their chests and paint a target on the next Republican to not pay tribute.

I seldom disagree with you Sink but I think you are wrong on this one. Strom Thurmond, senile, at 100 years of age would never be dumb enough to say what Lott said for the second time in his career. This is much worse than Gingrich bitching about seating arrangements on Air Force One. It plays right into the hands of the DEms. If Lott isnt bright enough to avoid these perception problems, how is he going to lead the Senate. Besides we need new leadership in the Senate anyway. Bush has to spend too much time telling Lott what he needs to do. Without Bush giving Lott his orders we still wouldnt have Homeland Security Department or the judges that were approved. Talking about judges, Lott has screwed many of the more controversial choices and raised the spirits of the disheartened Dems. He's supposed to motivate ourside, not theirs. Off with his head.

[Republican Wildcat]

Texas controls the government...alright, sounds good to me. :-) (Bush, DeLay, Hutchinson)

[Dave S]

It looks like Trent Lott's going to be tossed out on his ear and it won't make a darned bit of difference. Not one more black will vote for the GOP

May not get us many black votes but keeping Lott as Majority Leader will hurt Republicans among independents and moderate Republicans, and Bush among moderate Dems. Independents dont matter much in off year elections but they do in Presidential years. Im sure Rove is pissed at this point.

[Republican Wildcat]

LOL.

[fly_so_free]

OOOOPS, Lott is not Speaker. Before anyone corrects me, he's senate majority leader, I know, I'm trying to work and Post at the same time . Any way, he should resign. What he said was terrible and an insult.

[Deb]

Every one of you Lott trashers are disgusting. This is exactly one of the times when the entire party should rally against the Democrats and throw their political grandstanding back in their faces.

Tossing Lott overboard at this time is proof we don't deserve the majority.

The Democrats are using this as their first shot in the '04 election and their politicizing needs to be turned on them like a cannon to blow their lying heads off.

[Mo1]

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

Agreed .. but will he do that

[Dave S]

While I wish Lott were not majority leader, if Republicans succeed at getting rid of Lott now, they will be doing exactly what we have all criticized Lott for doing: giving in when the heat gets turned up. He misspoke. He apologized. Get over it.

Maybe we are doing the right thing. Getting rid of incompetence. He didnt just miss speak, he was totally off base. And he gave a Clinton type apology, ie. if anyone took offense blah blah.. instead of I said some stupid things and I appoligize. They were wrong. In addition to getting in this hole, he's done little to get himself out. He's just let it fester. A real apology early on would likely have made this a non story.

[Dan Day]

If the GOP had a pair, Lott would have been gone from Leadership years ago. He's the poster boy of Republican eunuchs.

Trent Lott: The Senatorial Eunuch

[ApesForEvolution]

I personally view this as the RATS assisting conservatives in making the GOP and our conservative views even more appealing and stronger.

[Dave S]

LOTT = LIABILITY

You think there is any other reason that Daschle stood up for Lott after his apology. Daschle doesnt want to lose Lott as his opponent.

[ApesForEvolution]

We can 'blow their lying heads off' after we have erected a GOP tower of strenght on the already vacant lott.

[Mo1]

You think there is any other reason that Daschle stood up for Lott after his apology. Daschle doesnt want to lose Lott as his opponent.

Appearantly Dashole is changing his mind .. I heard on the news this morning Dashole sent out another more stronger statement

[afuturegovernor]

what with calling for J.C. Watts, Ron Paul and Tom DeLay for Senate Majority Leader

LOL! I have learned a long time ago not the trust the Free Republic great mentioner lists for offices. Seriously, I think I've heard a few Freepers calling for Ron Paul to be every possible government office holder. (House Speaker, Senate Majority Leader, Secretary of Treasury, Ambassabor to Chad, White House grassmower)

[mystery-ak]

Heads up....Lott will be on Hannity's radio show....